From a stats angle, it's remarkable how consistent Pukki has been in the Premier League. 11 goals, 3 assists in both seasons, from an xG of 11.45 (21/22) and 11.52 (19/20), xA of 4.06 (21/22) and 3.62 (19/20). Probably the biggest change is the volume of shots Pukki has taken in each season, down from 2.48 to 1.95 shots per game this season. Perhaps there's a suggestion there that Pukki hasn't always taken shots that might have been available, or that the quantity of chances created from which he can shoot has decreased this season. The Athletic today had an interesting stat that Pukki completed the fewest share of a team's passes in the league, despite receiving the ball in the best positions. Confirms what's been obvious all season that he's been isolated without players to combine with.
I wasn't suggesting that he missed sitters as such, but that he missed quite a few chances/hit them at the keeper when it was easier to score/ took too long to shoot before being tackled etc. I also didn't mean exactly half his chances. It was a figure of speech. I simply meant he had plenty and missed many. Again, I am not trying to bag on Pukki. He is great. But if he missed those chances for us, why wouldnt he for others?
This looks like it could be a really sensible and astute signing. Not overwhelming in my personal opinion but he should certainly bring qualities that we don’t already have and he is a good experienced player that can hit the ground running this season and we could also utilise if promoted.
Newcastle fans seem to be universally glowing in their praise of Hayden’s attitude and commitment. I haven’t watched the below fully but it’s an interview that he have only 5mins ha ago if anyone was interested.
Local ish boy from Chelmsford I remember him coming through the Arsenal academy so he may know Josh Martin too.
Looking at WhoScored for their estimation of him, his weaknesses are “Discipline” and “Passing” I suspect we will not be quite so pretty to watch as in bygone days…
This looks like it could be a really good signing. Primarily a holding midfielder, who can also play at CM or at CB, he could well be the screening in front of defence we have lacked since Tettey left. Normann was more of a hybrid midfielder and Sørensen is still developing his game. The final paragraphs above hopefully speak volumes: "Hayden was always incredibly reliable for Newcastle. He did a job no matter where he played. He excelled at centre-back at times, and put in an amazing performance against Southampton in 2021 shortly after recovering from COVID. Norwich’s new signing is a warrior, and the kind of player they need to help them return to the Premier League." A hard tackling warrior who's good in the air and has a decent passing ratio (78.6% in the PL last season) sounds good to me. A great start before the window has even opened.
Because they have squillions to spend on new players and need to free up places. Jamal Lewis may be another leaving this summer. Just the sort of deal we should be looking for, IMO. Experienced in both the Championship and the PL and around his peak at 27. His passing ratio is 78.6%, which isn't bad for a DM, who has to make a lot of clearances out of defence. His overall WhoScored rating in the PL is similar to Skipp's in the Championship. IMO, we need more battling skills to balance the technical skills of others.
Yeah I’m not at all fussed that he’s not wanted at Newcastle. Not just the level of their ambitions now, also that plenty of players don’t cut it at one club then succeed in a slightly different environment somewhere else.
And I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to bag on you. I just get defensive on Pukki's behalf when fans complain about him missing chances or getting too old when he's basically the only player we had last season who definitely deserved to be in the PL. EDIT: And I'm still terrified we're going to lose him.
This from Wiki: "Arsène Wenger has described Hayden as a player whose key assets are concentration, intelligence and strength. Equally comfortable at centre-back or in central midfield, whilst having also previously featured at right-back and as a playmaker." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Hayden He also played in all the England youth teams while still at Arsenal.
Yep, his finishing perfectly respectable. Frankly, if his finishing were any better I think he’d be out of our league because I seriously think his movement is nearly up there with the best I’ve ever seen - I’m talking vs truly world class players like Michael Owen in his heyday. And this is without Pukki having blistering pace.
A warrior and a leader is how I’ve seen him described and that is certainly something we have been missing in the middle of the pitch
I'm curious if we'll consider further deals with Newcastle this summer, although admittedly I can't remember whether the loan rules prevent us signing another player on loan from them. There's going to be several players from the Ashley regime who will be out of favour and hopefully not on completely insane wages. We'll be able to pay a bigger percentage of it than most, and possibly even take the wages on in the Prem. Lewis, Murphy, Woodman, Manquillo, Longstaff, Hendrick, Longstaff, Gayle all probably looking at an exit this summer, and they're all probably at the level where upper championship or promoted clubs would be the only ones to consider them.
From Michael Bailey's Athletic article about Pukki's POS-winning 2021--22 performance: "Pukki has a conversion rate of 16.2, against an average for his position of 14.3 this season. That ranked him ninth in the Premier League in 2021-22, in the middle of a Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo sandwich. His rate was better than the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Gabriel Jesus and even Harry Kane (although some of those players take more shots from outside the penalty box). He has been an effective top-flight forward."
