I thought this was really interesting, particularly the defensive stats. We are 10th in the league for expected goals against and yet have performed far worse against that metric. Does that suggest that the tactics and structure are good at preventing chances but teams are either being highly clinical or our GKs are performing well below expectations. Or are we conceding a small number of chances but those that we do are high quality chances. The attacking stats ultimately appear to show that, as JHT has stated, priority is placed on creating high quality chances - indicated by our shot conversion percentage.
Im not a big fan of stats, but I think it’s been true that we have often had more good chances than our opponents and still not come away with points. The Bristol game would be a most recent example of that as would a lot of the recent games
Following on from Suffolk's earlier post, I intended to post data from Sofascore comparing our attack and defence this season so far, with last season. It was in the form of a pdf file, which the system says is an accepted format, but which I couldn't get to upload. The gist was that, while on the great majority of metrics the data pretty closely match (for example, goals conceded per game are identical at 1.4), there are three which show notable regression this season compared to last (2023-24 totals first): 1. Headed goals: 16 , 3 2. Clean sheets: 12 , 5 3. Clearances off the line: 9 , 1 Also noteworthy given the focus on defensive errors is that while this season such errors have more frequently resulted in a shot at goal (9 , 14), they have led to fewer actual goals being conceded (6 , 3).
Iwan Roberts on City's problems: "Norwich can be a joy to watch – shame they can’t defend. They went into the international break on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Bristol City. Two early goals, not particularly good, but some missed chances. You know what? There's so much that is good about this team, there's so much to enjoy and admire. When they go forward, when they attack at pace, with the movement that the attacking players have got, they are a joy to watch. But then the other side is, when players have got to do their jobs, when they've got to take responsibility, the nitty-gritty, the nasty things that you have to do in football - they don't do it, and they're getting punished for it. I looked at that support behind that goal at Bristol City; there must have been about 1,200-1,500 fans there, and I felt sorry for them. To concede as early as the sixth minute in the manner that they did is heart-breaking, but then to concede after 23 minutes, once again in the manner they did, and then you've got a mountain to climb."
How's this for a post on today's Pink'Un Q & A with Paddy Davitt and Sam Seaman. Trev's question/comment left PD the equivalent of speechless! "We want to attack loads, but be safe at the back and concede very few. We want a project, but not the process. We want to keep our best players, while accepting the model. We want to challenge and not stagnate, but we don't want to watch us in the Prem. We want young players, but less mistakes. Are we, the fans, on the cusp of being 'the problem'? I swear Meghan and Harry must think we're difficult". Brilliant.
Personally, I'd like to see more balance between attack and defence. Though extreme, the tactics against West Brom, like those against Portsmouth, went to the opposite extreme, but there is a balance in between. The pressure of fan uneasiness after poor runs of results brought home to JHT that the willingness to put up with poor results in the name of 'transition' has it's limits. The tactics against West Brom were well thought out, IMO. Three CBs with Córdoba and Sørensen flanking Duffy and two FB's who converted to WBs when we gained possession worked well, with a 5 man back line converting to a 5 man midfield when we gained possession. This was at the expense of the creativity of Núñez and Marcondes until they replaced Crnac (dead leg) and Slimane after 55 minutes had passed and we posed more of a threat, finally culminating in Núñez's through ball to Sargent for the goal. There were risks, but it came off.
Borja Sainz voted best player in EFL in FourFourTwo’s annual fan poll https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/football-league-top-50-sainz-kone-crowley
With the season now over, with nothing to play for, I can imagine some of the squad will be thinking of their immediate futures. Some will not be motivated to put in a full shift. With Sunderland up next who have plenty to play for, this could be a game with some harsh realities for the faithful.
They will only not be motivated if they have a concrete offer from another team. On the flip side some will be desperate to put in a good performance to earn a contract either here or elsewhere. Those that are likely to remain here are playing for their future role in the team
Despite our pretty abject recent ventures into the top flight, we don't hold any of the records for worst performing team in the EPL apparently, at least according to the BBC yesterday: "Southampton are only the third team to lose as many as 25 of their first 31 games of a top-flight campaign, after Sunderland in 2005-06 and Sheffield United in 2020-21 (both also 25). No team has ever had fewer points in the Premier League after 31 games (10), although Sunderland in 2005-06 & Derby in 2007-08 had the same tally too. Saints have the same amount of points after 31 games (10) as Derby County did in 2007-08, with Rams going on to achieve 11. Derby's campaign remains the worst in Premier League history, although it's a record Southampton could still beat."
Didn’t we get the record for the worst ever goal difference? I also believe we hold the record for the highest position in the league with a negative goal difference. Three decades of being unable to defend, you might say it’s something in the water. EDIT: Ah no, Sheffield United in 23/24 managed to surpass many a record - we just have the record for the most miserable goal scoring on the road - https://www.premierleague.com/stats/records
And Leicester will be following very soon (along with the binners) after losing an eighth successive home game without scoring. A PL record. Skipp an unused substitute.
Anyone heard anything regarding Hernandez, and his ban. Can't say I have heard anything, seems strange
