An interesting comparison. Picked this image up off Twitter last night. The stats are taken from Opta (and given the appearances, they aren't the end of season stats - Chico made a total of 29 league appearances this season, so bear that in mind). Interesting to see Chico's heat map in comparison to Caulker's. Chico seems to display much better positional discipline than the Cardiff captain, and on an unrelated note, it shows how much higher up the pitch we play than Cardiff. The main reason I've posted this picture is because I've seen a lot of people slating Chico on this board, and Caulker is being touted as a potential replacement for him. Okay, the stats don't take into consideration circumstance - for example, the stats don't show how many times Chico/Caulker gave the ball away cheaply, and it doesn't take into account that Swansea have a midfield that, in general, dominate games in front of Chico, providing a good platform to build up good stats. However, at the same time, they say that stats don't lie and I think that Chico is the more all-round type of centre back that we need at Swansea, but we need to sort out his play-acting and his tendency to hang a leg out in and around our box. When paired with Amat, he definitely looks better and more composed as he appears to take up the responsibility of being the figurehead at the back in Ash's absence. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not saying Caulker is terrible. I'd have him back here in a flash. But these stats might be a little eye-opener to the Chico-haters.
Good post BK. Proves what I've said all along - despite being hammered on the Cardiff board for it. Caulker is a decent player but has had a very poor season in a poor team. He'd need to have a much better one before I'd be enthusiastic about him coming back here as he's clearly regressed, though if Ash goes I can see it happening. Chico? Have to say his stats are better than I would have thought. I'm not a 'hater' btw but like the colleague to his left he always seems to have a rick in his game. Then again if they didn't they'd be playing in the top four wouldn't they.
Chico is excellent....but has some flaws. The biggest one that concerns me is his lack of aerial prowess, the diving is unpalatable also. I think Ash has been one of the most important players in the history of the club also....but he has some flaws too. Then there is the full-backs, both attack well but don't track back enough...both are not blessed with pace. Then there is the defensive issues in midfield. Leon and Allen worked great because Allen was as committed and worked as hard as Leon. Leon hasn't had a regular partner like that since imo. Canas is committed and works hard but wants to sit like Leon...he is more of a replacement candidate for Leon. If we want to tighten up in this area either Shelvey has to add the work ethic and concentration to his impressive attacking game or we find someone, like Allen (and like Pratley before him) who gives you something both in defence and attack. Our defensive lapses is a team thing...we haven't quite found the right balance, the right partnerships (where one team mate compliments the others inevitable flaws). For me Chico has been used as a bit of a scapegoat at times this past season.
I think the heat map shows that Caulker was trying to do the job of his entire back four. Him and Bartley together next season would make a beast of a partnership.
I don't necessarily disagree with that. Bartley has only had one bad game for us and that was when everyone else did too. I hope he gets his chance this season.
I rate Chico as being more skilful on the floor than Caulker and indeed a better tackler, his flaw is his impetuosity at times because of his fiery temprament. I feel Amat is more steady and has good potential for the future. Ash is the best header of the three. Kyle Bartley, if he can stay injury free, may be the one to step up to the plate. I agree with those that say the system rather than the personnel needs looking at. We need a midfielder to track back to fill the gap when the fullbacks are attacking. If we do not have one able to do this on the books we must go in to the transfer market.
Chico is the best CB we've had in years imo , not staunch but more flexable in his defensivive duties . He loves to play the game....
Caulker did well for us but he had Ash mentoring him. In his own right I don;t think he's any better than Amat or much better than Bartley.
Agreed ,he had a an experienced player in Ash along side him who kept him in check ,Caulker last season was the No 1 and it was a step too far for him captaining a poor defence .Amat Bartley Chico as as good as if not better in Chico's case
Interesting comparison lads. Just to add another stat though, Caulker was the only Prem League player to play every minute of every game. The other contender, Jedinak, got subbed in Palace's last game. DB is correct in saying Caulker played in a poor team - the league doesn't lie - but to say he is a poor player is a long way from the truth. In a better organised side with better players alongside him (as I have to admit the Swans were) Caulker would look a much better player. I know it is unlikely with several Prem clubs sniffing around but I would love him to stay with us. That would send out a real message of intent for next season on top of the signings we are making. He has apparently said he wants to stay but, ultimately, money and Prem status will talk.
I've always rated Chico. Yes, he is impetuous and does have his flaws but name me one player who hasn't. He is a wholehearted player who gives everything for the cause. This is not to say that I dislike Caulker because he's a good player with years ahead of him to improve. The same could be said of Amat who has been coming along quietly and I think he will give us great service in the years to come..... if he stays. I also like what I've seen of Bartley. He gives us aerial strength that we lack at the back and he likes a tackle!!! Again, young enough to improve. If we assume that Ash Williams is moving on that would leave us with Chico, Amat and Bartley at the back. I would like Caulker as well but the chances are he will go to a higher profile club than us. I'm not dismayed, however, at going with the first three with perhaps the signing of a hungry prospect to supplement them. Back to Chico. It might be a daft thought but his swarthy, piratical, pantomime villain appearance could well have attracted some bad feeling towards him not helped, I admit, by some OTT reactions in certain situations. Cut that out of his game and I feel that we have a very decent centre back that gives everything he can for the club. And I'm mindful that when he could have taken a day off, he opted to support his team mates by sitting with the fans at Fulham. His heart's in the right place even if his foot sometimes isn't.
The thing that worries me about those stats, is Cardiff seemed to do a lot more defending than us throughout the season, so if that was the case, surely, even if Caulker was a good player in a bad team, his tackles and interceptions would be at a higher rate per game that the stats above show. Imagine.... A team that has to defend 10 times per game, will most likely result in 1 of the CB's to tackle or intercept at least a few times. Where as a team that defends 5 times per game, would most likely have a lower rate per game for those stats. So why does that not apply to Caulker?
Caulker had far to much to do at the back for cardiff, the lad must have thought he had Sunday league players in his side especially his fellow defenders who were useless team mates to have by your side... So if you take that into account then caulker had a good season and with marshal kept cardiff in with a shout of survival up to the end of the season, That is worth praise if anything. As for chico then i have stated before that he is a great player and we miss him when he does not play as he always gives 100% in every game and sometimes that gets him into trouble.....It was not long ago that the same fans now who praise him were saying to get rid of him and he was useless.. I love football....
Haha I noticed it, but didn't mention it as stray Cardiff fans on our board might have mistaken it for a 'Caulker-bashing' thread and jumped to his defence. I didn't want the thread taking that sort of direction! But worrying stats that certainly create doubts on whether we would want to sign him.
The trouble with Chico is his lack of discipline and professionalism, his antics under Laudrup didn't improve, and all Laudrup could say is 'what can I do?' Monk has got to rain him in, or he has to go, he's too much of a liability otherwise, I like Chico very much, he has good feet, and has the ability to go forward with some style, but his diving and reckless tackles has to stop, his last sending off was unbelievable given he was already on a yellow, he dropped us right in it, you do not need to give ammunition to that scum bag Terry!.................
I'm not a Caulker fan and hope we don't go in for him! Did week foot us when he was on loan but overrated is the term if use to describe him
Was waiting for someone else first ..I don't rate Caulker either ... big fish in a very small pond last season , no vision when he was with us and hid nicely at times amongst our passing .
