Percentage of shots that go in against us

[Chali 2na]

I suppose the question is - will being in the Championship for a few seasons (hopefully) increase the budget sufficiently to allow us to improve on the current level of signings?

The budget won't necessarily increase year on year, but the ammount of players needed should.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

world class shots need high quality keepers to save them

I like Moore, but I take the point. I can't remember a game where he repeatedly kept us in it. Although that could be cognitive fallacy on my part, it would be interesting to see how many blades keepers have been MoM in the past 2 years. We've had a series of 'good' keepers, without anyone absolutely outstanding.

 

[Working Class Hero]

The actual statistic is that 41% of opposition's shots on target end up in the back of our net, not all shots as per the OP.

We still have the worst record in the League for this but several other clubs aren't too far behind.
The average is 31% and the best is Villa's 23%.

View attachment 36431

Is it possible to check how that stat stood when we switched from Blackman to Moore? It would be interesting to see if it's got better or worse.

 

[Harrisblade]

I like Moore, but I take the point. I can't remember a game where he repeatedly kept us in it. Although that could be cognitive fallacy on my part, it would be interesting to see how many blades keepers have been MoM in the past 2 years. We've had a series of 'good' keepers, without anyone absolutely outstanding.

Can you remember a game where he's had to 'repeatedly keep us in it' ?

 

[alcoblade]

Not only is he the weak link, but he's the first person we need to replace, apparently.

Sorry Simon, It's not personal, as you seem to be taking it, for some bizarre reason.

No matter who it is, there will always be someone first in line to be replaced, if we are looking to improve on what we've got. It's an obvious fact. I can't see anything remotely controversial, at least in the way you seem to be taking it, in that standpoint.

You might disagree, but it's hardly an outrageous point.

 

[alcoblade]

NO goalkeeper saves world-class shots. It would have needed a freak with arms 10-foot long to get near the ball. Explain how any goalie can get to a ball that goes high above him, is curling round him, and going into the corner of the goal. You see those go in every week from the likes of Salah, Mahrez, etc.

They do occasionally. The statistics show that we concede the most - or in other words do it less often than our competition.

 

[alcoblade]

In what way is Moore a 'weak link'?

As I've said above, there's always a "weakest link" - it's just a fact. It doesn't mean it's weak.

I think he's reasonable keeper - but it's a position I'd be looking to strengthen relatively soon.

As others have said, we'll struggle generally, because resource is our biggest problem from here on in. That probably rules out getting a better keeper anyway.

 

[Chali 2na]

Sorry Simon, It's not personal, as you seem to be taking it, for some bizarre reason.

No matter who it is, there will always be someone first in line to be replaced, if we are looking to improve on what we've got. It's an obvious fact. I can't see anything remotely controversial, at least in the way you seem to be taking it, in that standpoint.

You might disagree, but it's hardly an outrageous point.

I haven't taken it personally, nor do i think it's outrageous. I generally enjoy your posts and often agree with you.

I merely find the fact that you think our GK is the weakest link a strange opinion, and I suspect that I'm not alone.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

They do occasionally. The statistics show that we concede the most - or in other words do it less often than our competition.

The stats show that we concede a higher proportion of attempts on target, but they make no attempt to distinguish between the nature of the attempt. If a goalie does a big clearance with a following wind which goes into the opposing penalty area, is that a shot on target? They do occasionally go in. The stats have to be interpreted to be useful in any way, and the number of variables is huge.
I'm not sure how to define 'world-class shot' - perhaps it might include 'which no goalkeeper could save'?

 

[alcoblade]

I haven't taken it personally, nor do i think it's outrageous. I generally enjoy your posts and often agree with you.

I merely find the fact that you think our GK is the weakest link a strange opinion, and I suspect that I'm not alone.

Fair enough. But you did go on to comment that I said he was “weak” and needed replacing. That’s subtly but significantly different to being the weakest link, and the the one I’d look to replace next.

To reiterate, I think Moore is a reasonable keeper. I don’t think many would argue he’s much above average, so there’s no great statement being made there.

 

[alcoblade]

The stats show that we concede a higher proportion of attempts on target, but they make no attempt to distinguish between the nature of the attempt. If a goalie does a big clearance with a following wind which goes into the opposing penalty area, is that a shot on target? They do occasionally go in. The stats have to be interpreted to be useful in any way, and the number of variables is huge.
I'm not sure how to define 'world-class shot' - perhaps it might include 'which no goalkeeper could save'?

Agreed, it’s all subjective. But stats over an ever increasing number of games tend to even out the discrepancies in these things. Still only and indication though, I’d acccept.

 

[Chali 2na]

Fair enough. But you did go on to comment that I said he was “weak” and needed replacing. That’s subtly but significantly different to being the weakest link, and the the one I’d look to replace next.

To reiterate, I think Moore is a reasonable keeper. I don’t think many would argue he’s much above average, so there’s no great statement being made there.

Fair enough. I didn't mean to misrepresent what you said, as I acknowledge there's a massive difference between weak and weakest.

 

[Swannyblade]

I think that the system we are employing helps to cut out the number of clear chances the oppo can create in our area, but unfortunately it does allow them extra space outside the box to get a decent shot away.
I still feel that we’ve been unfortunate with the amount that have ended up in our onion bag though...the Birmingham goal springs to mind immediately.
Let’s hope that having Lenny and L Evans in the side can close this space down. Otherwise, we’re relying on one of the 3 cb’s stepping out of position to block the chance.
Last night’s was an exception though - Stevens should have shepherded Snodgrass to the by-line

 

[super_pig]

when we had Kenny in goal he would often win us games single handedly.. i’m not trying to criticise either keeper but i can’t remember recently where i’ve thought the ‘keeper won us the game’.. perhaps they’ve been unfortunate .. certainly not the weakest area just my thoughts

 

[Woodwardfan]

I've now watched the highlights.

The ball for their goal entered the net about 3 feet above the goal line. Whatever anyone says that is too easy. I think keepers and coaches are mixed up with their theory about closing down angles. By all means go out to cut down the angles of a ground shot but FGS go back to close down the angle between the bar and the goal-line for a long dipping high shot. I reckon Hodgy would have leaned to the right to collect that shot comfortably. Seriously, if the keeper had stayed on his line that's all it would have taken.

Before that Stevens let the player go inside, O'Connell went to cover the outside run which he was never going to take and Fleck did nothing. 3 to blame - that's why we have signed Evans who would have barred the way. Also Lundstram can play that role but always seems to be pushed forward. I've commented on that 3 times before. He surely has to be a midfield 'anchor', shifting the ball and playing the odd long ball diagonally.

It will take time for all this to settle,

Sorry I've not the time to read all this thread. I hope my post on Deadbat's match report thread adds something to the debate. Once I sussed this coaching weakness I see about 20 examples every week and average players building reputations scoring easy goals.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I think that the system we are employing helps to cut out the number of clear chances the oppo can create in our area, but unfortunately it does allow them extra space outside the box to get a decent shot away.
I still feel that we’ve been unfortunate with the amount that have ended up in our onion bag though...the Birmingham goal springs to mind immediately.
Let’s hope that having Lenny and L Evans in the side can close this space down. Otherwise, we’re relying on one of the 3 cb’s stepping out of position to block the chance.
Last night’s was an exception though - Stevens should have shepherded Snodgrass to the by-line

Fully agree. If Evans had been on the pitch Snodgrass would not have got that shot away.

 

[Woodwardfan]

We need a Championship class striker, no doubt about it. Despite have the joint-top scorer in the league, Clarke's 15 goals have come in 8 games, so he's only actually scored in 8 out of 26 games this season. Despite less appearances and a lot less time on he pitch, Billy has scored in 7 different games, but we desperately need someone capable of scoring regularly. Unfortunately the budget won't allow this and we can't "shop at Aldi" for this type of player so we're going to continue to struggle until this is sorted.

I think another issue we having with buying lower-division players is that they simply aren't used to playing regularly against players that can stick one in from 30 yards. Every team in the Championship has a player or players that are capable of this and all it takes is allowing them an extra second or two on the ball and they'll do what Snodgrass did. I know we conceded a couple of worldies last season but again it's something that really needs addressing or it's something else we'll struggle with.

I'm not going to complain too much though, we've already exceeded expectations for this season, Villa were playing a £10m centre forward and an £8m centre back (and the rest) and we more than matched them. I'm not angry, just disappointed.

I'll stick my neck out and say we already have two Championship strikers.:
1. Clarke.
2. Wilson. The speed the lad got his shot away and then bicycle kicked the rebound was pure class. The speed he got his Norwich goal away was better than we have.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Can you remember a game where he's had to 'repeatedly keep us in it' ?

Fair point.

 

[robbiez666]

We allow other teams to take target practice from outside our box once every game. No pressure and all the time in the world. Not surprising a high percentage go in.

 

[metalblade]

Sorry I've not the time to read all this thread. I hope my post on Deadbat's match report thread adds something to the debate. Once I sussed this coaching weakness I see about 20 examples every week and average players building reputations scoring easy goals.

Not only me then who thinks if Moore had been on his line it would have been an easy save much like the one their keeper made from Clark in the first half.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Not only me then who thinks if Moore had been on his line it would have been an easy save much like the one their keeper made from Clark in the first half.

I'm not convinced by that. About the only similarity between the Clarke and Snodgrass attempts were that they each involved kicking the ball towards the Bramall Lane end goal.

 

[grafikhaus]

It's not about 'was the keeper to blame?' Every opposition team will have a good spell and, if we're not doing the business at their end, we'll get punished if they have shots - 'worldies' or not. There have been plenty of home games where we haven't worked the opposition goalie nearly enough (even the Preston Cup game where there wasn't a single effort from either side in the entire first half). One game earlier this season, we were doing the usual - in a good position to shoot but the moment (and it's usually only a split second) - passed and we were closed down or abdicated responsibility by passing it sideways. I shouted out 'Fucking hit it!' The refs. assessor - sat in front of me - turned round, I thought to tell me off about my choice language, but he nodded and said 'Damn right!'

It's all about speed of thought and too many of our players don't have it.

Other enduring areas of concern are:

Throw ins. Nobody seems inclined to 'show' for the ball and, what should be a position of possession for us turns into a mini drama. Haven't we got anybody capable of a long throw? Which brings us to...

Set-piece delivery (either a corner or free-kick). I've long ago given up getting excited when we get a corner. The delivery is often poor and lacking in imagination.

Service to the front players is usually poor or non- existent. How many more goals would Sharp or Clarke have got with decent deliveries somewhere in the vicinity of our strikers, rather than a general hoof in their direction?

And our directness has become ponderous. What should be 'changing the point of attack' is negated by too many sideways/backwards passes. Fine for the 'possession' stats. but not much use for much else.

Apart from that, we're doing fine!

 

[Keen Blade]

Earlier someone mentioned about us being unable to afford a ready made striker so we have to acquire younger ones with the potential to improve ...so we have 3 old gits & a crock...whoops.

 

[alcoblade]

Earlier someone mentioned about us being unable to afford a ready made striker so we have to acquire younger ones with the potential to improve ...so we have 3 old gits & a crock...whoops.

Wilder acknowledges we haven’t got the money to tick that box, hence looking for premiership loanees.

 

[snootyfenooty]

I suppose the question is - will being in the Championship for a few seasons (hopefully) increase the budget sufficiently to allow us to improve on the current level of signings?

If past form is anything to go by, no. Our last tenure in the Championship amounted to the selling off of our best players, signing has-beens on outrageous contracts and a steady sleepwalk into League 1.

 

[Kabba Kabba Doo]

when we had Kenny in goal he would often win us games single handedly.. i’m not trying to criticise either keeper but i can’t remember recently where i’ve thought the ‘keeper won us the game’.. perhaps they’ve been unfortunate .. certainly not the weakest area just my thoughts

I know it's not Moore but Blackman definitely won us the game against Brentford first game.

I do think keepers an area for improvement, but certainly more pressing issues currently such as striker, lwb and potentially rcb for me!

 

[metalblade]

If past form is anything to go by, no. Our last tenure in the Championship amounted to the selling off of our best players, signing has-beens on outrageous contracts and a steady sleepwalk into League 1.

Too true all we will hear is the board bleating we are losing £5m every year, strange that with our attendances when the other teams manage on half of what we get every other Saturday. If I were Wilder I wouldn't be expecting too much help from that direction for next season.