Intriguing graphic. Meerdink's NPG was excellent but so was the npxG. Nantes looked like they created very little for Abline. The high % aerial is something you could see us wanting to complement Mayenda and Isidor with. Also why we are keen on Abline.
He def finished the season better but that's where some recency bias comes into it. If he had a solid year but had a poor end even more would be wanting him replaced Because he had a great final folk want him to be given a chance, nothing wrong with that I just feel GK is a huge position in any league, especially when we will be battling relegation (or likely to be), a Gk can win you so many points. Yes folk will say he won us points but he also cost us a lot and wasn't even ranked in the top 5/6 GKs last season in the championship
Yeah it reinforced that I think Abline is pretty well rounded but needs to work on his shot selection. Meerdink and Stassin both pretty great in front of goal but it's sometimes hard to compare with a difference in league standard and also difference in how their team compares to the others around them. For me someone who is a good call carrier but also a threat in the air is the target to look at, helpful for defending set pieces and finally gives us someone to aim for from crosses
Same. I love the big lad and he was immense throughout the 3 playoff games but had a bit of a shaky season otherwise and was often third choice, albeit he got unlucky with the timings of his injuries. I think many are expecting him to step up easy simply because of 3 playoff games where teams lumped it into the box but the premier league won't be like that and I think he's going to get exposed for his turning speed and pace. Not saying he can't do a job, he definitely can, but I'm not 100% confident in him being a starter.
If we get a top class centre back alongside him,he'll come on in leaps and bounds imo. Good players always can improve playing alongside other better players. Think the same about Alese as well.