I didn't want to tempt fate before Sunday's game and post a mid week quiz asking which PL team has the best home record, but you might like to look at this analysis table, which is based on a number of key factors. http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/2/Seasons/3389/Stages/6531/TeamStatistics/England-Premier-League-2012-2013 If you clicked on 'Overall', to find us fourth is also quite satisfying. The analysis further down on 'Positional Stats', is what I found really interesting; Our attacking play is fairly evenly balanced at 36% down the left, 30% down the middle and 34% down the right. Yet 72% of our shots are from a central position. And of those only 7% are inside the 6 yard box. My mini-interpretation of that, and why we're getting more goals this year, is because: a) we're stretching opposition teams by attacking on all fronts b) we're more succesfull at getting the ball into the the middle, enabling more shots on target c) we're not relying on one individual 'poaching' goals - also evidenced by the fact that the goals, so far, are shared across a number of players. The key (or the difference or the secret) seems to be the balance in our shape this year and the way we are playing to individual strengths. I suppose you could simply say, we are playing as a team.
C58, I also believe there is a balance... We have the wingers who can actually run and stretch the opposition backed up by the fullbacks. But this is also a problem defending. Hangeland and Hughes are left exposed many times. No complaints as we seem to be able to keep better teams at bay (Arsenal, Everton, etc.) and managing well against lesser teams. Against Sunderland will be a good test on Sunday!
I think you're right. It's balance and pace - our attack are executed more quickly than last year because we've exchanged some of more deliberate players (BZ, Dembele and Dempsey) for pacy player like Kaca and Ruiz. And while Berbatov is not fleet of foot, his clever distribution definitely speeds up our attack - opposite of what Dembele did. The downside is that we're getting exposed now that Dembele and Murphy are gone and players are finding space between the midfield and back line. We're scoring lots of goals, but we're giving up lots of goals, too. Overall, though, I'm pleased with the way we're playing.
Absolutely agreed. We're the 2nd worst long ball passers behind Newcastle. Does that make sense or is that the trade off with having Baird and Sidwell in CM who we have to by pass quite a lot during games?
Good post C58 - I agree. And Craving highlights an interesting point - our long-ball rate is much lower without Danny (in particular) and Dembele. However, the change is a positive one. Although I still wonder if a rehash of our midfield to have some one playing more "in-the-hole" could might cut down on opponents exploiting the space in front of our back-line, which is obviously more exposed. Anyhow, fewer 0-0 draws, and without an increase in defeats is good. Our poor away form is finally put to rest (save for Lawro of course). Onwards and upwards with MJ. C O Y W
I noted an interesting point made by Hangeland in his interview after the Arsenal game, something on the lines that - as they got used to playing further up the pitch it was inevitable that more goals would be conceded, fortunately it is paying off though with more goals scored. It would be interesting to compare those stats against last years. PS - Great stats C58 - always impressed how you get all this stuff.
It's no secret that Baird and Sidders don't help matters in midfield with constant backpassing to Schwarzer, often ending up in Schwarz punting it upfield to an opposing player. The centre is an area that needs bringing up to standard with the rest of the midfield/attack
