Compared to last season:
Plays less passes (38.7/35.6), with similar completion (80/81%) - but creates slightly more chances (1.51/1.98).
Shoots less often (2.79/2.34), including less long shots (1.02/0.80), and yet is half as likely to hit the target (59/32%).
Makes less take-ons (1.51/1.32) with pretty much identical success rate (41/40%).
Wins significantly less tackles (1.13/0.73), but does get booked less (0.12/0.07).
So overall he’s less involved in the play - not passing as much, not dribbling as much, not tackling as much. When he does get involved, he can create chances, but his dribbling is still poor and his shooting has gone to pot.
i wonder if the increase in teams parking the bus against us is having an impact too.Reads like he's getting marked out of the game.
Don't need stats. You can use your eyes and see that Del is having a dodgy af season.
If he doesn't stop with the arrogant nonsense and get down to the fundamentals of his game he is going to waste his potential.
I don't remember Ferguson being all that bothered about Keane and Scholes leaving a foot in every now and then (and picking up the suspensions that followed), and he seemed to know a thing or two about managing successful teams. In fact, I imagine he was quite happy to have opposing players worrying about a possible reducer coming their way.
Agreed, but easier to deal with if you're top of the league and in good form (like Man Utd usually were). If you're 7th and in a poor run of form, that's when tackles like that get much more attention.
If it was me I would drop Dele for a game or two. BUT, as Poch points out in his book, last year when he did that with an unnamed player, the player's agent was at the training ground the next day to meet with Poch to complain why he wasn't picked. Crazy pressure to have to deal with.
Constantly losing the ball in previous games had nothing to do with where Dier was playing. He's played with same "freedom" today that he has had nearly all season.No coincidence that Dier back in midfield sees Dele have his best game in ages. Fantastic today given the freedom to play.
Constantly losing the ball in previous games had nothing to do with where Dier was playing. He's played with same "freedom" today that he has had nearly all season.