MayorOJC
Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2016
- Messages
- 394
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- 798
Commiserations to Luton, Plymouth and Cardiff. League One is a grim, miserable league. No matter what happens in the play-offs, at least we aren't still down in that pit.
I'm a data analyst by trade, so I like to keep an eye on players whose numbers jump out. Despite their relegations, each of these teams have a few standout performers I hope we’re keeping tabs on:
Alfie Doughty (LB/LW, Luton)
I'm desperate for us to sign Alfie Doughty this summer regardless of what league we're in. For the left wing, not as competition for Burrows. One of our big weaknesses this season has been the lack of effective width on the left. Hamer plays as an inverted winger and tends to drift inside onto his preferred right foot, which leaves Burrows as the only real wide option. With us playing a back four, Burrows has the unenviable task of covering the entire flank, which I believe is a big reason his attacking influence has faded as the season's gone on.
Despite registering just four assists, no one in the Championship creates more chances per 90 than Doughty (2.7). For context, that's more than Callum O'Hare (1.3) and Ben Brereton-Diaz (1.3) combined. Most of his chances come from crosses, and his cross accuracy (34%) puts the rest of our wide players to shame. Even set-piece specialists like Gus Hamer (20%) and Harrison Burrows (25%) can't match that.
Why only four assists? Luton have been woeful in front of goal, converting just 6.5% of their chances. Elijah Adebayo alone has missed an embarrassing 27 big chances. His 7.3% conversion rate is lower than many centre-backs in the league. Doughty is a chance-creating machine stuck supplying donkeys.
Yousef Salech (CF, Cardiff)
This is one I’d love us to go for. He’s scored 8 goals in just 1,277 minutes for a pretty toothless Cardiff side. His goals per 90 put him right up there with Tyrese Campbell and Joel Piroe. Not only is he one of the best finishers in the league, but he’s also 6'5", strong in the air, and ranks highly for dribble success. He looks like a complete centre-forward for our level. Tyrese Campbell’s movement and finishing, combined with Kieffer Moore’s physicality.
Maksym Talovierov (CB, Plymouth)
Also known as “that massive Ukrainian who scored against Liverpool.” Normally I wouldn’t suggest a centre-back from a team that’s conceded 88 goals, but Maxi’s only started 10 league games due to injury. At 6'4", he's a no-nonsense defender. If we're after a Souttar-type, his profile is close. He’s not as dominant in the air as Souttar- only Charlie Hughes really competes there - but Maxi wins 8% more ground duels, which arguably makes him more well-rounded in some respects. He's just 24, so there's still room for growth as he continues to adapt to English football.
Alex Robertson (CM, Cardiff)
The 22-year-old Australian has been one of the few bright spots in Cardiff’s season. He’s been playing as an attacking midfielder out of necessity but looks more natural as a box-to-box player, where he can showcase his versatility. He has a very similar profile to Shea Charles (relax - the season’s over, he's a Southampton player now) and we know Wilder was a fan. Robertson would be a realistic alternative, offering a more reliable option than Davies.
Bonus: Miron Muslić (Manager, Plymouth)
I've been massively impressed with Muslić, who's done a fantastic job of getting a lot out of very little. Based on results, he'd probably have Plymouth mid-table had he been there all season. He speaks well, he's tactically proficient and I would take him over anyone else currently managing in the football league.
I'm a data analyst by trade, so I like to keep an eye on players whose numbers jump out. Despite their relegations, each of these teams have a few standout performers I hope we’re keeping tabs on:
Alfie Doughty (LB/LW, Luton)
I'm desperate for us to sign Alfie Doughty this summer regardless of what league we're in. For the left wing, not as competition for Burrows. One of our big weaknesses this season has been the lack of effective width on the left. Hamer plays as an inverted winger and tends to drift inside onto his preferred right foot, which leaves Burrows as the only real wide option. With us playing a back four, Burrows has the unenviable task of covering the entire flank, which I believe is a big reason his attacking influence has faded as the season's gone on.
Despite registering just four assists, no one in the Championship creates more chances per 90 than Doughty (2.7). For context, that's more than Callum O'Hare (1.3) and Ben Brereton-Diaz (1.3) combined. Most of his chances come from crosses, and his cross accuracy (34%) puts the rest of our wide players to shame. Even set-piece specialists like Gus Hamer (20%) and Harrison Burrows (25%) can't match that.
Why only four assists? Luton have been woeful in front of goal, converting just 6.5% of their chances. Elijah Adebayo alone has missed an embarrassing 27 big chances. His 7.3% conversion rate is lower than many centre-backs in the league. Doughty is a chance-creating machine stuck supplying donkeys.
Yousef Salech (CF, Cardiff)
This is one I’d love us to go for. He’s scored 8 goals in just 1,277 minutes for a pretty toothless Cardiff side. His goals per 90 put him right up there with Tyrese Campbell and Joel Piroe. Not only is he one of the best finishers in the league, but he’s also 6'5", strong in the air, and ranks highly for dribble success. He looks like a complete centre-forward for our level. Tyrese Campbell’s movement and finishing, combined with Kieffer Moore’s physicality.
Maksym Talovierov (CB, Plymouth)
Also known as “that massive Ukrainian who scored against Liverpool.” Normally I wouldn’t suggest a centre-back from a team that’s conceded 88 goals, but Maxi’s only started 10 league games due to injury. At 6'4", he's a no-nonsense defender. If we're after a Souttar-type, his profile is close. He’s not as dominant in the air as Souttar- only Charlie Hughes really competes there - but Maxi wins 8% more ground duels, which arguably makes him more well-rounded in some respects. He's just 24, so there's still room for growth as he continues to adapt to English football.
Alex Robertson (CM, Cardiff)
The 22-year-old Australian has been one of the few bright spots in Cardiff’s season. He’s been playing as an attacking midfielder out of necessity but looks more natural as a box-to-box player, where he can showcase his versatility. He has a very similar profile to Shea Charles (relax - the season’s over, he's a Southampton player now) and we know Wilder was a fan. Robertson would be a realistic alternative, offering a more reliable option than Davies.
Bonus: Miron Muslić (Manager, Plymouth)
I've been massively impressed with Muslić, who's done a fantastic job of getting a lot out of very little. Based on results, he'd probably have Plymouth mid-table had he been there all season. He speaks well, he's tactically proficient and I would take him over anyone else currently managing in the football league.
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