A few observations from the stats (Potters):

[Coolblade]

A few observations from the stats:

- perhaps unusually given recent performance, let's start with our attack, where we had two strong performers. Moore won ten aerial duels (with the next best being Holding with three), and had most shots with five (next best also Holding with two) and one key pass. Brewster also deserves a mention, not least as Stoke seemed keen to kick him out of the match, with most key passes (three next best O'Hare with two) and more remarkably made five accurate crosses (next best one) being our best crossing performance for some time.

- slightly embarrassed to mention, but in his 30 mins on the pitch, Cannon touched the ball just twice, although both touches were successful passes - giving him 100% pass completion! Hamer's absence did result in lower than usual numbers of successful dribbles (three in total) and key passes (although O'Hare managed two).

- defensively it was a strong performance; starting with Cooper who Footmob made MOTM for his statistical contribution. Holding (as set out above) had strong stats again - and it is perhaps noteworthy that during the nine games he has been on the pitch (329 minutes in total) we haven't conceded a goal. McCallum obviously deserves mention for his goal, and his aerial strength has been noticeable all season, although Johansson - who is high in all goal keeping charts - should perhaps have done better.

- our defensive midfielders, Vini and Choud, came top in the successful tackle count (three each) with Choud also having a higher than usual pass completion rate of nearly 90%. Peck was only on briefly but had a pass rate over 90% plus an assist.

Overall our xG was 2.07 v 0.73, creating 4 big chances, so a deserved victory on any analysis.

 

[vas borbokis]

I like him, but someone needs to spend time on the training pitch with that McCallum drilling him into how to cross a ball.
Goal aside he could've been so much more effective in an attacking sense.

 

[Coolblade]

Re McCallum's crossing, he tried three times, all unsuccesful

One further point on Brooks. The last two league games he started (West Brom on 29 Dec and Watford on 4 Jan) he scored a vital goal in each - and in both games was MOTM. He hasn't started a league game since.

 

[Barmyblade]

If we are now playing two up top, especially if Moore is one of the pair, then quality crosses could make all the difference. Burrows puts in a good ball and I suspect is being rested and will play when it matters, with McCallum a sub.

Interesting that Brewster crossing was so effective but unsure he’ll start and I’d still rather find a formation which ensures both Hamer and O’Hare feature.

 

[Coolblade]

Looking at the season stats as a whole, per 90 mins, doesn’t demonstrate great creativity across the team, and shows dependence on two players. . For example;

Successful crosses: Burrows 1.3, Hamer 0.7, Arblaster 0.6 (next best 0.3)

Key passes: Hamer 1.8, Arblaster 1.8, Burrows 1.2 (next best 1)

Successful dribbles: Rak-Saki 1.4, Hamer 1.1 Arblaster 1.1

Assists (season long): Hamer 7, O’Hare 6, Burrows/Brewster 3

Conclusion = Hamer and Burrows must play, and perhaps we’d forgotten how good Arblaster was?

 

[Pollingtonblade]

and it is perhaps noteworthy that during the nine games he has been on the pitch (329 minutes in total) we haven't conceded a goal

Let's hope Wilder/Knill and Co are aware of this. It will in my eyes be unforgivable if he's benched for the play offs

I suspect they aren't though and will go with the culture carrier

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Moore won ten aerial duels

15 ?

 

[Coolblade]

The 15 duels won figure includes “ground duels” so not just aerial duels. Although there is a slight discrepancy as Footmob says 11 aerial duels won, one more than WhoScored say with 10. I tend to use both these sites, plus Opta to reach a happy medium!

 

[loyalblade95]

Conclusion = Hamer and Burrows must play, and perhaps we’d forgotten how good Arblaster was?

I think how good he was before his injury has gone under the radar because of how good Peck has been since he stepped up.

Looking forward to getting Arblaster back in the summer, and hopefully we can get a full preseason under his belt.

 

[ThirdGenBlade]

I always laugh when you count Cannon’s touches, but I have felt he was at least apparently more involved playing in a 2 with big Kieff. Wasn’t it Cannon that touched the ball to Cal when he chipped it on to Sydie for Andre’s goal?

UTB & FTP!

 

[Coolblade]

I always laugh when you count Cannon’s touches, but I have felt he was at least apparently more involved playing in a 2 with big Kieff. Wasn’t it Cannon that touched the ball to Cal when he chipped it on to Sydie for Andre’s goal?

UTB & FTP!

Yes it was. I certainly agree he has to form part of a front two. And I remain hopeful this his primary skill is his shot/finishing, which we briefly saw against Burnley, and which remains a highly valuable skill, as we perhaps saw with Billy and Ched in the past.

I try to remain optimistic!