Coolblade
Member
- Joined
- May 11, 2015
- Messages
- 244
- Reaction score
- 1,443
A few observations from the stats:
• We won the xG battle emphatically (2.27 v 0.29): We didn’t just dominate possession (58.8% v 41.2%), we turned it into meaningful chances. Eleven shots, seven on target, three goals – a 27% conversion rate showing clinical finishing and attacking clarity. Wendies five shots, none on target, underline how well we controlled their threat.
• Aerial duels were ours (64.3% success): We bossed the air, winning 36 of 56 aerial contests. Tanganga (8 wins) and Mee (7) were immense, especially with more direct play. Peck and Campbell chipped in to keep second balls alive, which allowed us to sustain pressure and dictate territory.
• Midfield screening and structure: Peck and Riedewald anchored transitions superbly with 5 tackles, 5 interceptions between them. Peck’s passing (42 at 59.5%) wasn’t perfect, but his defensive work was vital and he had most key passes (3). O’Hare and Brooks knitted play between the lines (the latter with the best tackle stats of the season), while McCallum stretched the pitch with 5 crosses. This balance meant Wendies rarely broke through centrally.
• Creativity came from wide overloads: We attacked predominantly down the right (55%), exploiting Seriki’s pace and Tanganga’s progressive carries. Seriki delivered 6 crosses and completed 3 dribbles, forcing their left side to collapse. O’Hare and Brooks combined for 3 key passes, while Peck added his 3.
• Defensive organisation stayed compact: Even with numbers forward, our back four were disciplined. Tanganga (14 clearances, 2 blocks) and Mee (15 clearances) were colossal. Seriki added recovery pace and 3 tackles. Fact is they managed only 5 shots, none on target, testament to our shape and aerial control.
Individual standouts:
• Japhet Tanganga (8.42): Defensive leader, 8 aerial wins, 14 clearances, 2 blocks. Dominated physical duels.
• Tyrese Campbell (8.32): Match-winner, 4 shots, 2 goals. Intelligent movement and ruthless finishing.
• Ben Mee (8.24): Calm authority, 7 aerial wins, 15 clearances. Organised the line brilliantly.
• Andre Brooks (7.80): Pressing machine, incredible 11 successful tackles (next best 3) showed massive impact, also with 2 crosses, 2 shots and 1 key pass. Balanced work rate and technical quality.
Tactics: 4-2-2-2 gave us structural superiority, with pivots screening transitions, full-backs stretching play, dual approach creating overloads. I assume our right-sided bias was deliberate, targeting their weaker flank. Aerial dominance and compactness ensured control in both boxes.
Wendies midfield collapsed under pressure: Our press suffocated their build-up and their midfield trio couldn’t cope with our overloads and aggressive counter-press. Barry Bannan was particularly ineffective. Only 63% pass accuracy, well below his usual standard), minimal progressive passes and no key passes recorded, failed to dictate tempo or escape pressure and often forced backwards or sideways, losing physical duels repeatedly, which killed their transitions.
Summary: We showed possession with penetration, unlike recent inefficiencies. Clinical finishing, aerial control, and disciplined defensive shape turned dominance into a commanding 3-0 victory. Confidence and tactical cohesion are trending upward now setting the benchmark for the season.
A Sheffield double! Crack out the beers.
“Three nil, even Cannon scored…”
UTB!
• We won the xG battle emphatically (2.27 v 0.29): We didn’t just dominate possession (58.8% v 41.2%), we turned it into meaningful chances. Eleven shots, seven on target, three goals – a 27% conversion rate showing clinical finishing and attacking clarity. Wendies five shots, none on target, underline how well we controlled their threat.
• Aerial duels were ours (64.3% success): We bossed the air, winning 36 of 56 aerial contests. Tanganga (8 wins) and Mee (7) were immense, especially with more direct play. Peck and Campbell chipped in to keep second balls alive, which allowed us to sustain pressure and dictate territory.
• Midfield screening and structure: Peck and Riedewald anchored transitions superbly with 5 tackles, 5 interceptions between them. Peck’s passing (42 at 59.5%) wasn’t perfect, but his defensive work was vital and he had most key passes (3). O’Hare and Brooks knitted play between the lines (the latter with the best tackle stats of the season), while McCallum stretched the pitch with 5 crosses. This balance meant Wendies rarely broke through centrally.
• Creativity came from wide overloads: We attacked predominantly down the right (55%), exploiting Seriki’s pace and Tanganga’s progressive carries. Seriki delivered 6 crosses and completed 3 dribbles, forcing their left side to collapse. O’Hare and Brooks combined for 3 key passes, while Peck added his 3.
• Defensive organisation stayed compact: Even with numbers forward, our back four were disciplined. Tanganga (14 clearances, 2 blocks) and Mee (15 clearances) were colossal. Seriki added recovery pace and 3 tackles. Fact is they managed only 5 shots, none on target, testament to our shape and aerial control.
Individual standouts:
• Japhet Tanganga (8.42): Defensive leader, 8 aerial wins, 14 clearances, 2 blocks. Dominated physical duels.
• Tyrese Campbell (8.32): Match-winner, 4 shots, 2 goals. Intelligent movement and ruthless finishing.
• Ben Mee (8.24): Calm authority, 7 aerial wins, 15 clearances. Organised the line brilliantly.
• Andre Brooks (7.80): Pressing machine, incredible 11 successful tackles (next best 3) showed massive impact, also with 2 crosses, 2 shots and 1 key pass. Balanced work rate and technical quality.
Tactics: 4-2-2-2 gave us structural superiority, with pivots screening transitions, full-backs stretching play, dual approach creating overloads. I assume our right-sided bias was deliberate, targeting their weaker flank. Aerial dominance and compactness ensured control in both boxes.
Wendies midfield collapsed under pressure: Our press suffocated their build-up and their midfield trio couldn’t cope with our overloads and aggressive counter-press. Barry Bannan was particularly ineffective. Only 63% pass accuracy, well below his usual standard), minimal progressive passes and no key passes recorded, failed to dictate tempo or escape pressure and often forced backwards or sideways, losing physical duels repeatedly, which killed their transitions.
Summary: We showed possession with penetration, unlike recent inefficiencies. Clinical finishing, aerial control, and disciplined defensive shape turned dominance into a commanding 3-0 victory. Confidence and tactical cohesion are trending upward now setting the benchmark for the season.
A Sheffield double! Crack out the beers.
“Three nil, even Cannon scored…”
UTB!
