Match stats/analysis for recent Socceroo games

[Keeper66]

You missed the inference. I said at times it 'could look like Metcalfe lost a 1v1', that was not meant by his opponent who looked like he won the duel, but the ball looked like it went to a Socceroos teammate by accident.

When in fact Metcalfe had played a deft ball under extreme pressure to a teammate. This is a closely contested 1v1. It has a clear winner of the 1v1 contest. I don't agree that it just satisfies a stats collector.

It is the antithesis of some of Bos's or Irankunda's easily identifiable spectacular runs, where they may carry the ball for some distance and beat 2 players.

They are all 1v1s in different manifestations. Some players are doing some useful work for the team that is harder to identify.

I don't really follow what you are saying, and conversely I'm not sure you understand what I am saying. I agree with your Metcalfe example (if I understand it properly now), if Metcalf has managed to play a pass to a teammate when under extreme pressure, then yes I agree he has won that duel.

What I am saying is that winning and losing of 1v1's is clear cut, it doesn't require multiple viewing to determine the winner. Has player A won the ball in a 1v1 with player B, and managed to dribble away or play a pass to a team mate? If Yes then A has won the 1v1. If player B has won the ball and kept possession for his team, then player B has won the 1v1. If the ball squirts out (in a tackle for example) and goes where neither player A nor player B intended, then neither has won the 1v1. The player winning the 1v1 doesn't need to keep possession either (either him or his team), for example if a defender is tackling a player bearing down on goal and the ball goes out for a throw-in or corner, then the defender has won the 1v1. The defender has done what he intended, i.e., stop the attacker.

It doesn't require multiple views to determine this.

But this is just my opinion, if you see things differently that's fine.

 

[Decentric]

I don't really follow what you are saying, and conversely I'm not sure you understand what I am saying. I agree with your Metcalfe example (if I understand it properly now), if Metcalf has managed to play a pass to a teammate when under extreme pressure, then yes I agree he has won that duel.

What I am saying is that winning and losing of 1v1's is clear cut, it doesn't require multiple viewing to determine the winner. Has player A won the ball in a 1v1 with player B, and managed to dribble away or play a pass to a team mate? If Yes then A has won the 1v1. If player B has won the ball and kept possession for his team, then player B has won the 1v1. If the ball squirts out (in a tackle for example) and goes where neither player A nor player B intended, then neither has won the 1v1. The player winning the 1v1 doesn't need to keep possession either (either him or his team), for example if a defender is tackling a player bearing down on goal and the ball goes out for a throw-in or corner, then the defender has won the 1v1. The defender has done what he intended, i.e., stop the attacker.

It doesn't require multiple views to determine this.

But this is just my opinion, if you see things differently that's fine.

Bit worried about my communication. I should be able to communicate with more clarity, being a teacher of 40 years.

How about this?

Metcalfe executed some deft passes after winning some 1v1s that were initially hard to determine a winner of those contests.

Further investigation showed he clearly won them.

In one game it happened on 4 occasions.

Does it make better sense and have more significance?

 

[patjennings]

Shot stopping is a weakness of mine for evaluation. Most of Ryan's critics on G and G have questioned his shot stopping, not his sweeping.

The younger keepers in Aus are better sweepers than past eras. I'm not sure how they compare to Ryan though as a sweeper?

Ryan is our best shot stopper and best sweeper. He performs at a higher level against better opposition week-in week-out with better stats than the others people want to replace him with. When they are better he can be replaced. As it is he is the first choice and in my mind daylight is second. Are there better keepers - absolutely. Are they better Australian keepers - not even close.

BTW - Ryan does have a long ball. He's done it all his career - way back to the A League. But you do what your manager tells you. His long ball - after a save when he is given the license to do it by the manager is a flat punt which can pick out players quickly.

 

[Alex M]

No I don't say we should always play out from the back.

A few of our recent opponents have applied some very effective Full Pressing and intensive Squeezing, high up the pitch. It has occurred to the extent that the opponents have closed down all free Socceroo players, and hence closed down all available passing lanes, at the back and even in midfield.

I'm interested in your thoughts on the reasons why we don't seem to find good passing lanes when pressed at the back. I've seen it as a major weakness of ours in the last few games, particularly early on when the opposition are pressing whilst still fresh. I don't have the time (or the inclination to be honest) to analyse things through replays like you do so I'm interested if you think its because we don't take the opportunities to pass forward when they are there or because the players in the next line aren't being active enough in making themselves available.

 

[LFC]

No I don't say we should always play out from the back.

Sorry, to clarify I wasn't reading it that way from you but I'm just bringing in part of the GK sweeping game topic/discussion. This discipline is a major part on the modern day GK game for a long time now.

A few of our recent opponents have applied some very effective Full Pressing and intensive Squeezing, high up the pitch. It has occurred to the extent that the opponents have closed down all free Socceroo players, and hence closed down all available passing lanes, at the back and even in midfield.

It hasn't been our recent opponents, pressing squeezing has been going on for 10yrs at least in the big time and the lower lowers levels have followed naturally.

pjennings I agree with your overview re Ryan, he is above our up and coming GK's to date, no diff to MS prior, your only replaced or benched till you've lost your form/time has caught up let alone a incubant earns/deserves your spot.
I'm still not confident with Ryan sweeping full stop mind you.

 

[LFC]

I'm interested in your thoughts on the reasons why we don't seem to find good passing lanes when pressed at the back. I've seen it as a major weakness of ours in the last few games, particularly early on when the opposition are pressing whilst still fresh. I don't have the time (or the inclination to be honest) to analyse things through replays like you do so I'm interested if you think its because we don't take the opportunities to pass forward when they are there or because the players in the next line aren't being active enough in making themselves available.

my friend, this is plain and simple withour analysis, finding lanes isn't hard - well it is IF there's no movement into space to recieve the ball.
Upon recieving the ball be it LB/RB or mids its how they manage their touch/control/composure when the ball arrives under the pump/press.
Thats the million $ question that I as a GK would be thinking please do the job - IF your a GK you know which players you can rely on and those not.
This would play in your mind who/when you give ball.
Bos is the main one I'd rely on of them all for eg.

 

[Keeper66]

Ryan is our best shot stopper and best sweeper. He performs at a higher level against better opposition week-in week-out with better stats than the others people want to replace him with. When they are better he can be replaced. As it is he is the first choice and in my mind daylight is second. Are there better keepers - absolutely. Are they better Australian keepers - not even close.

BTW - Ryan does have a long ball. He's done it all his career - way back to the A League. But you do what your manager tells you. His long ball - after a save when he is given the license to do it by the manager is a flat punt which can pick out players quickly.

Yes, I’ve seen Ryan with good side volleys out of his hands. Where I think he is a bit weaker is in his long balls off the ground, when playing purely with his feet.

 

[patjennings]

Yes, I’ve seen Ryan with good side volleys out of his hands. Where I think he is a bit weaker is in his long balls off the ground, when playing purely with his feet.

Again though - name an Australian keeper that does it better - none. Wanting to drop him is akin to wanting to drop Jordy Bos when you have no-one better. Just a waste of talk.

 

[Keeper66]

Again though - name an Australian keeper that does it better - none. Wanting to drop him is akin to wanting to drop Jordy Bos when you have no-one better. Just a waste of talk.

I have never said he should be dropped, or that there is someone better. What I am doing is saying where I think he has a relative weakness compared to other non-Australian keepers. If you look back a few replies, you will see that I said that Izzo is not as good as Ryan with his feet.

 

[JS96]

Izzo basically kicks it out or to no one. His stopping is good but his distribution is poor. What Ryan will do is throw or volley is well.

A big issue is the ingrained quick distribution for the sake of it at the back. It's predictable and lazy. This comes from years of doing it at training sessions.

Keepers gather it and immediately want to give it up and the player is potentially not ready and then panic ensues.

Then the defenders have no outlet and pass back or kick it away. We may as well just go long for territorial safety and may win the ball in midfield. Transition is where Australia go well.

These stupid short goal kicks across the 6 yard box do my head in. It'll eventually go back then long.

 

[JS96]

I have never said he should be dropped, or that there is someone better. What I am doing is saying where I think he has a relative weakness compared to other non-Australian keepers. If you look back a few replies, you will see that I said that Izzo is not as good as Ryan with his feet.

A keeper is only as good as their defence. Expose the big names and they'll get beaten just as often and we're seeing in more with those defensive leaks. I think Oblak is the best pound for pound.

 

[patjennings]

I have never said he should be dropped, or that there is someone better. What I am doing is saying where I think he has a relative weakness compared to other non-Australian keepers. If you look back a few replies, you will see that I said that Izzo is not as good as Ryan with his feet.

Just like Bos is not as good as if you compare him to Mendes at PSG. Lucky Jordy is only getting compared to other Aussies.

 

[patjennings]

A keeper is only as good as their defence. Expose the big names and they'll get beaten just as often and we're seeing in more with those defensive leaks. I think Oblak is the best pound for pound.

Probably a good call - certainly an elite keeper - funnily his long passing is inaccurate and his foot skills are also a weakness of his.

 

[Hillbilly55]

Beach looked to have good disposals off the ground tonight. Maybe he is a consideration for the second or third Keeper role.

 

[Keeper66]

Just like Bos is not as good as if you compare him to Mendes at PSG. Lucky Jordy is only getting compared to other Aussies.

Calm down mate. If you took the time to read my replies properly you would see that I agree with you about Ryan.

 

[patjennings]

Calm down mate. If you took the time to read my replies properly you would see that I agree with you about Ryan.

Maybe you do. but the number of podcasts and comments by people that Izzo should be first choice is ludicrous. I was watching Paramount the other day and the excitable sideline guy, Bruce Djite and Niav Owens were all calling for him to be first choice. Brosque just looked at them like WTAF. I think even the G&G podcast have said it on occasions - ludicrous!!

 

[JS96]

Maybe you do. but the number of podcasts and comments by people that Izzo should be first choice is ludicrous. I was watching Paramount the other day and the excitable sideline guy, Bruce Djite and Niav Owens were all calling for him to be first choice. Brosque just looked at them like WTAF. I think even the G&G podcast have said it on occasions - ludicrous!!

Djita and Owens basically say yes to any suggestion on the air to sound positive. The Paramount group think is insufferable. We need a Bozza rant.

 

[JS96]

Probably a good call - certainly an elite keeper - funnily his long passing is inaccurate and his foot skills are also a weakness of his.

Fair point and I'll admit I've neglected ball play here and weighted in on his presence in the box and stopping. Hannover's current keeper can't parry shit but he plays the ball like an outfielder. He's had a few risky moments already.

 

[Kitwally]

Maybe you do. but the number of podcasts and comments by people that Izzo should be first choice is ludicrous. I was watching Paramount the other day and the excitable sideline guy, Bruce Djite and Niav Owens were all calling for him to be first choice. Brosque just looked at them like WTAF. I think even the G&G podcast have said it on occasions - ludicrous!!

South Australian bias!

 

[Decentric]

Ryan is our best shot stopper and best sweeper. He performs at a higher level against better opposition week-in week-out with better stats than the others people want to replace him with. When they are better he can be replaced. As it is he is the first choice and in my mind daylight is second. Are there better keepers - absolutely. Are they better Australian keepers - not even close.

BTW - Ryan does have a long ball. He's done it all his career - way back to the A League. But you do what your manager tells you. His long ball - after a save when he is given the license to do it by the manager is a flat punt which can pick out players quickly.

Excellent post, PJ.

The other keepers with superior sweeping skills to Ryan, endorsed by LFC and Keeper66, are not available for Aus selection.

As I accrue stats, I sometimes like to support posters who have called for selection of new players who haven't been selected, who have performed well when they haven't been selected.

However, I don't think we have any other Aus goalies who are good shot stoppers, who are anywhere near as good as sweepers as Ryan is.

For some of our older players, there are some genuine naysayers. They undervalue experience. Having said that, I welcome different opinions. I'm quite excited about new players Balard, Irankunda, Mo Toure ( we now have two brothers in the Roo team), Italiano, Yazbek, and of course Bos and Circati, have really stepped up.

Also, Izzo has made some siuperb saves!

Another stat which I haven't compiled is Iran has just been recorded at 36.7kph as the fastest payer over the turf in the English Championship! Wonder how Iran compares in pace to Bos?

Leckie and Kruse were both our previous fastest at 35 point something speed, but they never hit 36 plus!.