A few (miserable) observations from the stats (Mackems)

[Coolblade]

A few (miserable) observations from the stats:

- Hamer with most shots, 11 crosses ( most accurate crosses too), three times more key passes than anyone else, certainly was our attacking catalyst. As with Burnley, pushing O’Hare onto the wing, where he struggles to link with Gus, limits his ability to contribute (one key pass, no accurate crosses, no shots on target). Brewster on the wing works pretty well (joint second most crosses today, 89% pass completion) if we need him in the starting line up, so I simply don’t understand the logic of disrupting our key offensive partnership.

- perhaps unsurprisingly, Robbo had our lowest rating for overall performance and contribution - and our defensive record over the season with him on the pitch is very significantly worse than when he’s absent. Perhaps more surprisingly, Anel was top outfield contributor, with joint most aerial duels, 97% pass completion, second most interceptions etc. He was well beaten for the second goal, but clearly demonstrated his quality throughout. And should have got a penalty.

- in midfield, Davies was the better on the stats, with 92% pass completion, 3 crosses, 1 key pass and joint second most successful tackles. Peck with no tackles, no key passes and a significantly lower pass completion was a weak link. Burrows was second in crosses despite only being a substitute, and leaving him and Brooks on the bench (as MOTM last game) seemed a brave decision.

In general terms, when we had a core defensive triangle of Souttar, Souza and Anel, we looked impregnable - and rarely conceded - and so even though our attacking plan was limited (basically just give the ball to Gus/Callum and hope they could squeeze a goal of out of nothing) if we scored even one, we won. So even with a low xg and a dysfunctional attack, we kept picking up maximum points.

Injuries have robbed us of the key reason for our defensive strength, making scoring more than one more important - so I find it even more inexplicable that we then separate our best offensive partnership when we don’t need to. We need physical strength in central defense and central midfield, and to revert back to the plan which was working well. Or I fear a slow descent.

 

[Barmyblade]

Thanks Cool

Last game it was noted our aerial strength was well down but last night showed a different problem. When Sunderland ran at us at pace we simply couldn’t cope, especially Robinson, who after his error took the decision to simply keep backing off and hope for the best. So if our defenders are small and Robinson at 5’11 is small for a centre half but also unable to cope with any pace we are always going to struggle. Earlier this season Souza often covered pacy attacks from midfield but he’s missing too, and Peck and Davies can’t offer the same defensive cover.

Serious squad reinforcement is needed urgently.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Anel fucked up as bad as Peck for the 2nd. It was brainless defending

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

It's not just the CB pairing that's the issue. Gilchrist and Anel look like strangers and what Wilder was thinking with Robinson McCallum away against a top 4 side, I'll never know.

Anel looking much better at LCB with Burrows outside him, so why can't that be the default. Id argue Gilchrist would operate at a similar level to Robinson, and we'd have at least 50% of our defence looking solid.

 

[Coolblade]

As said above, Anel was clearly at fault for the second, as was Peck, but I don’t think Anel was brainless, just outplayed by a great touch and swift movement. After that he played well.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Anel should have known that Isidor is exactly the sort of player who tries exactly that move. That's the least I'd expect of my players, especially defenders. Know the oppernant

 

[Balham]

Anel looking much better at LCB with Burrows outside him, so why can't that be the default. Id argue Gilchrist would operate at a similar level to Robinson, and we'd have at least 50% of our defence looking solid.

I don’t disagree but with Seriki and Shackleton out injured who plays at right back if Gilchrist is at centre half?

 

[robbiez666]

I think Anel has the tendency to be both a little lazy and lose concentration. He got done by a clever attacker who slowed then went. You could see from his reaction he knew he messed up but always going to struggle one on one against pace

 

[brownblade]

Anel should have known that Isidor is exactly the sort of player who tries exactly that move. That's the least I'd expect of my players, especially defenders. Know the oppernant

Top footballers aren't easy to stop. Some wingers do the same thing nearly every time, but they're so good at it that they often pull it off.

 

[Blacksea]

Thanks Cool

Last game it was noted our aerial strength was well down but last night showed a different problem. When Sunderland ran at us at pace we simply couldn’t cope, especially Robinson, who after his error took the decision to simply keep backing off and hope for the best. So if our defenders are small and Robinson at 5’11 is small for a centre half but also unable to cope with any pace we are always going to struggle. Earlier this season Souza often covered pacy attacks from midfield but he’s missing too, and Peck and Davies can’t offer the same defensive cover.

Serious squad reinforcement is needed urgently.

Being unable to defend against pace isn't a new problem,we were unable to cope at Middlesbrough and Leeds, Coventry ran at us almost all game but we escaped with a point with 10 men,what's new is that most of the problems were coming down either wing and we were exposed, now the problem is central because Souttar has gone,so depending where our opponents strengths are,they can choose to go at us with pace down the sides or through the middle now.