Reasons for our defensive Improvement

[dudu]

OK, so with the germ of the seed of an idea implanted in my brain by the thread started by @TwanYid about the less obvious reasons for our "success" I thought I'd undertake a major statistical analysis to see if some of my theories for our improved defensively performance held up and make them the subject of the next article for the blog. The article is entirely about Spurs and I think the results were illuminating.

https://forensiconions.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/che-pochs-revolutionary-insurgency-advancing/

The bottom line is the incredibly impressive contribution our most used front four (Kane, Lamela, Eriksen, Dembele) are now consistently making to our defensive solidity. They are literally pissing the rest of the league's front four for graft.

I appreciate that tackles and interceptions are only two aspects of a pressing policy but I believe the upturn in our performance in this area in our front four unit is indicative of Pochettino's philosophy taking hold.

Here's one of the stat spreadsheet's from the article:

View attachment 20789

TT PG = Front Four (F4) Total Tackles per game / TI PG = F4 Total Interceptions per game / AT PP = Average Tackles per person (per F4 player)/ AI PP = Average Interceptions per person (per F4 player) / TCTI PG = F4 Total Combined Tackles & Interceptions per game / TAPP PG = Total Average Combined Tackles & Interceptions per person (per F4 player).

Have a gander, see what you think.

Nice statistical breakdown of this.

Really interesting to read and I think its worth re-iterating that our current front players are all mucking in quite evenly.

While Lamela's workrate and tackling stands out - the others are no slouches and are going doing their jobs consistently well.

Dembele's average per game however might be skewing the results slightly as he has played quite a few more minutes in a deeper role than the other 3 but that being said - if you take out the games he played in the CM2 his average would still be around 2.5-3ish per game.

That just me nitpicking though - the point is even when he is playing further forward his attempted tackle totals are a joy to see.

Even Son's average per game is right up there

-------------------TPG-------IPG

Dembele----------4---------1.4
Lamela-----------2.6--------0.8
Son---------------1.8-------- 1
Erisken-----------1.7-------0.9
Kane--------------1.2-------0.5


One thing is for sure - if Chadli wants to get back into the team he is going to have to massively pick it up in these respects......that will be the making or breaking off him.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Nice statistical breakdown of this.

Really interesting to read and I think its worth re-iterating that our current front players are all mucking in quite evenly.

While Lamela's workrate and tackling stands out - the others are no slouches and are going doing their jobs consistently well.

Dembele's average per game however might be skewing the results slightly as he has played quite a few more minutes in a deeper role than the other 3 but that being said - if you take out the games he played in the CM2 his average would still be around 2.5-3ish per game.

That just me nitpicking though - the point is even when he is playing further forward his attempted tackle totals are a joy to see.

Even Son's average per game is right up there

-------------------TPG-------IPG

Dembele----------4---------1.4
Lamela-----------2.6--------0.8
Son---------------1.8-------- 1
Erisken-----------1.7-------0.9
Kane--------------1.2-------0.5


One thing is for sure - if Chadli wants to get back into the team he is going to have to massively pick it up in these respects......that will be the making or breaking off him.

As I said in another response, if you swapped Son for Dembele for instance, we'd still be top of the league for combined tackles/Interceptions from the front four, but our margin would decrease, and if you swapped Son for Kane or Eriksen our advantage would actually increase so it is a bit of a swing/roundabout, but all in all, pretty impressive from our front four/five.

Compare this to these two:

Chadli --------0.2-------0.4

Townsend----0.7--------0


You can see why so many of us were bemoaning the continued counter intuitive selection of these two during the spring last year. As productive as Chadli individually, he just doesn't fit the "team" ethos. And Townsend is a disaster, not only does he not work properly without the ball, he produces SFA with it.

N'Jie (0.8--------0) I'll reserve judgement on as we have seen so little of him but I'll try and do some digging from last year in France and see what his stats were like there.

 

[dagraham]

Interesting. Defending from the front has always been important.

Don't think you can take this in isolation though. The signing of Alderwield, who's positioning and judgement are sound and a DM in Dier who can actually tackle cleanly and protect the back four are just as important factors.

Combine everything and it all points to a harder team to score against.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

As I said in another response, if you swapped Son for Dembele for instance, we'd still be top of the league for combined tackles/Interceptions from the front four, but our margin would decrease, and if you swapped Son for Kane or Eriksen our advantage would actually increase so it is a bit of a swing/roundabout, but all in all, pretty impressive from our front four/five.

Compare this to these two:

Chadli --------0.2-------0.4

Townsend----0.7--------0


You can see why so many of us were bemoaning the continued counter intuitive selection of these two during the spring last year. As productive as Chadli individually, he just doesn't fit the "team" ethos. And Townsend is a disaster, not only does he not work properly without the ball, he produces SFA with it.

N'Jie (0.8--------0) I'll reserve judgement on as we have seen so little of him but I'll try and do some digging from last year in France and see what his stats were like there.

Do you think we should sell Chadli and Townsend?

 

[dagraham]

Do you think we should sell Chadli and Townsend?

I know that question was directed at BC, but I've always thought Chadli was lazy. Don't want to sell him as his goal contribution to the squad is vital.

As for Towsend, he's not good enough imo and I'd be surprised if he's still here after Jan, even if it's only on loan.

 

[dudu]

As I said in another response, if you swapped Son for Dembele for instance, we'd still be top of the league for combined tackles/Interceptions from the front four, but our margin would decrease, and if you swapped Son for Kane or Eriksen our advantage would actually increase so it is a bit of a swing/roundabout, but all in all, pretty impressive from our front four/five.

Compare this to these two:

Chadli --------0.2-------0.4

Townsend----0.7--------0


You can see why so many of us were bemoaning the continued counter intuitive selection of these two during the spring last year. As productive as Chadli individually, he just doesn't fit the "team" ethos. And Townsend is a disaster, not only does he not work properly without the ball, he produces SFA with it.

N'Jie (0.8--------0) I'll reserve judgement on as we have seen so little of him but I'll try and do some digging from last year in France and see what his stats were like there.

Agreed mate - I am a big fan of Chadli's but his defensive stats make poor reading - It will be put up or shut up time for him when he gets back from Injury - when he gets his next chance he is going to have to show his commitment through hard god damn work or else i feel he may not make the cut in the future.

 

[dudu]

I know that question was directed at BC, but I've always thought Chadli was lazy. Don't want to sell him as his goal contribution to the squad is vital.

As for Towsend, he's not good enough imo and I'd be surprised if he's still here after Jan, even if it's only on loan.

I think Chadli deserves a chance and knows he cant go hiding now with the workrate of others. If he does he wont get back into the team - it has to be as simple as that.

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

When I see Watford behind us in second place and Crystal palace and Leicester city above us in another category, that is another reminder to me about how early in the season this is. Last season defensively we were terrible, that couldn't continue. This season we have the fourth best defence, if chelsea were at their usual standards, they would certainly be above us in that category, that puts us as the fifth best defence which is still punching above our weight. Last season Southampton had the second meanest defence, that is the kind of standard we need to be aiming for, to achieve something in my reckoning.

You should get your blog on NewsNow, it will get far more exposure, you'll get more people linking to it and as a result, your blog will go up in the google rankings.

Them being above us doesn't necessarily mean it's early in the season - our high press isn't necessarily a feature of every good defence, simply one of the main reasons for our good defence.

I'd also suggest that being early in the season, the difference between top and fourth best isn't very pronounced, as we are just two goals off said best defence. Being the second best defence is actually wholly realistic - in fact just a week and a half ago we had the best.

 

[tototoner]

Ajax development got a bit to do with it

 

[sussexyid]

Thanks BC, interesting stats.

I think you're being too harsh on Walker though. Currently my pick for most improved player this year, think he is doing a really good job in comparison to last year. Could just be because he is finally fit, but its working for us!!

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Do you think we should sell Chadli and Townsend?

Personally, I think Chadli is productive enough (goals/assists) to justify being part of our squad and for me, particularly, I think he is the perfect back up as a lone striker in our system to Kane in terms of what he can offer. Although not the best in terms of tackles/interceptions and general pressing, he does show up for the ball, is a strong lad who can hold it and bring others in, he can also move with it and take players on (better than Kane IMO at this) and he does score and assist at a reasonable level.

Townsend I would definitely sell. I genuinely feel for the lad, especially when I listen to his dad speak about him, I know they both love the club, but he has had a better chance than most in house academy players get and just doesn't seem to learn. His application without the ball is really poor, even when he appears to run and close down he does it badly or in that way that doesn't actually engage the opponent or cause them problems, and he just does not produce creatively anywhere near enough, even when in some fabulous situations. It's a combination that no team can carry IMO, especially one that has the collective ethic at it's heart.

 

[dudu]

As I said in another response, if you swapped Son for Dembele for instance, we'd still be top of the league for combined tackles/Interceptions from the front four, but our margin would decrease, and if you swapped Son for Kane or Eriksen our advantage would actually increase so it is a bit of a swing/roundabout, but all in all, pretty impressive from our front four/five.

Compare this to these two:

Chadli --------0.2-------0.4

Townsend----0.7--------0


You can see why so many of us were bemoaning the continued counter intuitive selection of these two during the spring last year. As productive as Chadli individually, he just doesn't fit the "team" ethos. And Townsend is a disaster, not only does he not work properly without the ball, he produces SFA with it.

N'Jie (0.8--------0) I'll reserve judgement on as we have seen so little of him but I'll try and do some digging from last year in France and see what his stats were like there.

Last year it looks like N'jie was not all too productive.

0.6 for TPG and 0.2 for Interceptions

In his defensive, from what i understand, he played mostly up front and perhaps, even when wide, he was not playing in a system that required or asked him to be as aggressive as ours. Looking at last years Lyons players stats it doesnt appear that their front or wide players did much tackling at all....

http://www.whoscored.com/Teams/228/Archive/France-Lyon

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Spurs Stat Man ‏@SpursStatMan 4m4 minutes ago
Of all defenders in the PL this season, only Erik Pieters (38) has won more tackles than Kyle Walker (33)

 

[Parklane 79]

A world class goalkeeper and two very good centre halves playing every game. Its that simple.

 

[Jamturk]

Good analysis and great stats. Something that comes to my mind, is it a tactic we can switch on and off or alter at will?

I just think that with some teams it could be counter productive. We would like a few teams we face to actually be able to get out and leave us some space.

Also would like to see if there is any variation between league and Euro games.

 

[dagraham]

Spurs Stat Man ‏@SpursStatMan 4m4 minutes ago
Of all defenders in the PL this season, only Erik Pieters (38) has won more tackles than Kyle Walker (33)

There is no doubt Walker has improved defensively. I just wish one of our coaches got hold of him and made him stay after training and learn how to cross the ball.

 

[spurs9]

Nice statistical breakdown of this.

Really interesting to read and I think its worth re-iterating that our current front players are all mucking in quite evenly.

While Lamela's workrate and tackling stands out - the others are no slouches and are going doing their jobs consistently well.

Dembele's average per game however might be skewing the results slightly as he has played quite a few more minutes in a deeper role than the other 3 but that being said - if you take out the games he played in the CM2 his average would still be around 2.5-3ish per game.

That just me nitpicking though - the point is even when he is playing further forward his attempted tackle totals are a joy to see.

Even Son's average per game is right up there

-------------------TPG-------IPG

Dembele----------4---------1.4
Lamela-----------2.6--------0.8
Son---------------1.8-------- 1
Erisken-----------1.7-------0.9
Kane--------------1.2-------0.5


One thing is for sure - if Chadli wants to get back into the team he is going to have to massively pick it up in these respects......that will be the making or breaking off him.

As I said in another response, if you swapped Son for Dembele for instance, we'd still be top of the league for combined tackles/Interceptions from the front four, but our margin would decrease, and if you swapped Son for Kane or Eriksen our advantage would actually increase so it is a bit of a swing/roundabout, but all in all, pretty impressive from our front four/five.

Compare this to these two:

Chadli --------0.2-------0.4

Townsend----0.7--------0


You can see why so many of us were bemoaning the continued counter intuitive selection of these two during the spring last year. As productive as Chadli individually, he just doesn't fit the "team" ethos. And Townsend is a disaster, not only does he not work properly without the ball, he produces SFA with it.

N'Jie (0.8--------0) I'll reserve judgement on as we have seen so little of him but I'll try and do some digging from last year in France and see what his stats were like there.

I see you are both using Stats per game, which isn't a fair way to compare individual players especially for players like Townsend & Njie who are yet to start a league game. Here are the Per 90 stats, which IMO, is a better reflection.

-------------------TPG-------IPG

Dembele----------5.3---------1.9
Lamela-----------3.7--------1.1
Son---------------2.7-------- 1.5
Erisken-----------1.9-------1
Kane--------------1.2-------0.5
Chadli ------------0.3-------0.6
Townsend------2.8--------0
NJie--------------2.7--------0

 

[dudu]

I see you are both using Stats per game, which isn't a fair way to compare individual players especially for players like Townsend & Njie who are yet to start a league game. Here are the Per 90 stats, which IMO, is a better reflection.

-------------------TPG-------IPG

Dembele----------5.3---------1.9
Lamela-----------3.7--------1.1
Son---------------2.7-------- 1.5
Erisken-----------1.9-------1
Kane--------------1.2-------0.5
Chadli ------------0.3-------0.6
Townsend------2.8--------0
NJie--------------2.7--------0

Honestly, I was taking a crap an hour ago thinking that the per 90 prob would be a better reflection.

I have no idea what that says about me.

 

[Mullers]

Them being above us doesn't necessarily mean it's early in the season - our high press isn't necessarily a feature of every good defence, simply one of the main reasons for our good defence.

It's a pretty good indication though isn't it? Unless you think they will stay be around that mark come the end of the season.

I'd also suggest that being early in the season, the difference between top and fourth best isn't very pronounced, as we are just two goals off said best defence. Being the second best defence is actually wholly realistic - in fact just a week and a half ago we had the best.

I'm not saying it's not realistic, I'm saying that is the thing we should be aiming for but we wont do that if we let in soft goals in almost every match.

 

[walton]

The fact that Norwich are bottom is mental. Surely as a newly promoted team, the very least that the manager will be looking to have instilled is sound defence front to back; wonder how much their management are aware of this little nugget...