Coolblade
Member
- Joined
- May 11, 2015
- Messages
- 276
- Reaction score
- 2,068
A few observations from the stats on Rothwell (as the other two signings have insufficient recent data).
Our midfield has looked chaotic at times this season, especially with so many injuries and suspensions requiring constant changes. Pass accuracy has dipped, moves have slowed in transition, moments of control have been lost to rushed clearances.
With Rothwell, the reaction has been pretty mixed, understandably when comparing the technical polish he showed at Leeds, with a player now short on confidence at Rangers. But if you look at the numbers and compare him to Championship averages, Rothwell hopefully gives us something we need (akin to Davies and Reidewald) calmness, control, tempo, and craft.
The top creators in the Championship, the likes of Leo Scienza and Mikey Johnston, are putting up around 0.30 to 0.31 xA per 90 minutes. Rothwell is hitting 0.29 xA per 90 this season at Rangers. If you consider the SPL to be fairly similar quality as the Championship then essentially this is the same output level, the same final‑third influence. For a side that has often struggled to carve out chances from midfield, this is exactly the sort of injection we need; a midfielder who feeds forwards early, spots cutbacks, and delivers quality.
One thing we’ve lacked at times this season is a midfielder who settles us down. Too often, our possession falls apart because the ball doesn’t stick. Rothwell is the opposite of that problem. He’s completing almost 90% of his passes, which is Premier League‑level level. Whilst Rothwell won’t hit high‑volume pass stats (Winks, Morris, and Grimes are 62 to 63 accurate passes a match) Rothwell is more selective and when he does make a decision, it’s safe, intelligent, and progressive. He doesn’t force transitions.
As regards his defensive aspects Rothwell’s not coming in to win duels. Championship’s big ball‑winners hit 4.0 to 4.6 tackles per 90, Rothwell sits closer to 1.5. But his positioning is pretty good . The league’s top interceptors hover around 2.1 to 2.2 per‑90 and Rothwell is close behind at 1.75. In other words, he’s not going to win the ball but he can stop attacks from starting. And that is massively valuable as long as we pair him with an actual ball‑winner.
Our midfield has looked chaotic at times this season, especially with so many injuries and suspensions requiring constant changes. Pass accuracy has dipped, moves have slowed in transition, moments of control have been lost to rushed clearances.
With Rothwell, the reaction has been pretty mixed, understandably when comparing the technical polish he showed at Leeds, with a player now short on confidence at Rangers. But if you look at the numbers and compare him to Championship averages, Rothwell hopefully gives us something we need (akin to Davies and Reidewald) calmness, control, tempo, and craft.
The top creators in the Championship, the likes of Leo Scienza and Mikey Johnston, are putting up around 0.30 to 0.31 xA per 90 minutes. Rothwell is hitting 0.29 xA per 90 this season at Rangers. If you consider the SPL to be fairly similar quality as the Championship then essentially this is the same output level, the same final‑third influence. For a side that has often struggled to carve out chances from midfield, this is exactly the sort of injection we need; a midfielder who feeds forwards early, spots cutbacks, and delivers quality.
One thing we’ve lacked at times this season is a midfielder who settles us down. Too often, our possession falls apart because the ball doesn’t stick. Rothwell is the opposite of that problem. He’s completing almost 90% of his passes, which is Premier League‑level level. Whilst Rothwell won’t hit high‑volume pass stats (Winks, Morris, and Grimes are 62 to 63 accurate passes a match) Rothwell is more selective and when he does make a decision, it’s safe, intelligent, and progressive. He doesn’t force transitions.
As regards his defensive aspects Rothwell’s not coming in to win duels. Championship’s big ball‑winners hit 4.0 to 4.6 tackles per 90, Rothwell sits closer to 1.5. But his positioning is pretty good . The league’s top interceptors hover around 2.1 to 2.2 per‑90 and Rothwell is close behind at 1.75. In other words, he’s not going to win the ball but he can stop attacks from starting. And that is massively valuable as long as we pair him with an actual ball‑winner.
