Just noticed that it has now been 4 games in a row without a single yellow card, and we currently have one of the best disciplinary records in all of Europe's top divisions. Simple question, is this a sign that we are not getting stuck in enough? Or are we just brilliant at tackling?
We don.t really have any firty or hard tackling players. I think on the basis of our 'improved' defemsive record I would day we are tackling well enoiugh. They're are games when we could do with roughing it up a bit- we have a game in 3 days when that would definitely be useful to do!
I have observed that we tend not to make that many tackles actually, we sit back and try to make interceptions instead. You generally see players like Schneiderlin and Cork throwing out a reactionary foot if the ball appears near to them but they never really commit themselves, preferring to keep in position and keep a good shape. Personally I think that's a good idea, though maybe there is an argument for having a more destructive ball-winner in midfield, I don't think we have a suitable player to fill that role at the club though.
I definitely agree with this. Our second-least disciplined player is big Jos who hasn't played in months so that shows that Adkins prefers a less forceful defence.
We've made the most tackles in the league by a good distance and that's with a game in hand on most teams. Another good stat is that in 8 and a bit games now Luke Shaw has made 2 fouls whilst making 25 tackles, not bad for 17! Also means he's committed the 2nd least fouls of any defender who has started 8 or more games. However, we definitely don't rough up or impose ourselves on teams, on the one hand it's good as part of our nice Saintly approach to football under Adkins, but on the other hand you could argue it has had an effect on our ability to dominate teams and get results.
Ha, shows what I know! I guess that shows how much defending we've had to do. Do you know how we rate in terms of successful tackles? I'd like to think that would be high, for the reasons I mentioned earlier (mainly the general reluctance of our players to over-commit themselves).
I don't I'm afraid, successful tackles are a bit of a mystery stat in that a lot of sites seem to have access to them but don't put them out on view. Add the fact that a lot of different places define tackles and successful tackles in different ways and it is more confusing. But we rank top in tackles that 'successfully dispossess an opponent' I can tell you that much! Something to be proud of for our boys, but definitely reflects the amounts of times we've had our backs to the wall in our own half. Another interesing stat is that we have both the most and highest percentage of tackles by non-defenders (i.e. midfield and forwards), mostly due to Schneiderlin, Lallana, Ramirez and Puncheon. What is that some people say about our midfield not helping out the defence enough?
Ok ponder this........I thought the whole idea of tackling is to come away with the ball? Which on the whole we are beginning to do very well. So could it be that the definition of a tackle is causing some confusion? The stats seem to indicate that we come away with the ball with out fouling the opponent. When you look at the stats it seems that teams that play us don't go over the top either (I mean the number of fouls) Yes there is a fair few that get booked but the actual number of fouls doesn't (to me) to be that high per game either from either side. Or is that just me.........?
Not sure...it might just mean that he prefers a player that doesn't stick it in the back of his own net, or give away penalties?
Certainly a very good player, although had his worst game of the season last week v Sunderland - but everybody has an off day occassionally. Looking forward to seeing how he handles the Stoke attack on Saturday.
What is apparent is that Saints players rarely get involved with Officials, despite some decidedly dodgy decisions, several yellows were for overdoing the celebrations, we haven't scored that many lately so that hasn't applied. Stoke are well bottom of the Fairplay League, is that due to their commitment or are they technically a "dirty" team? http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/fairplay/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739
Stoke are the modern version of the crazy gang but possibly with more flair. Pulis has done well for them and I see them as the sort of team that will ruffle our players' feathers. In the main because we don't have a really strong physical presence. I still would like to see a really forceful central midfielder that can get us going.
I'm glad you found this stat Mikey as it entirely backs up what I was going to say without any evidence! We stay on our feet and often have three or four bites at an opponent before nicking the ball away, something we couldn't do if we'd gone to ground. This just demonstrates what a sensible approach that is. As for actually getting stuck in, Morgan has been involved in some crunching 50/50s so I don't think we have a problem when that approach is called for either.
I agree with this as well actually. One particular memory that stands out is a potential Adam Lallana penalty appeal and the team just played to the whistle when the ref didn't give it despite replays showing it to be a dead cert pen. Adkins has certainly taught them to respect the referee (this season more than most), I even remember it being mentioned in a pre-match press conference?
Respect is not an entitlement it is earned and unfortunately far too many of our referees are simply not good enough.
