2022 World Cup Qualifiers Group A

Hotlips_Hoolahan wrote: I'm surprised Clark hasn't been put forth by anybody as an option to play DM against Serbia. He played in midfield when he broke through for Villa and looked good. It would be out of left field but we've been chopping and changing for every game under Kenny so far and will have to continue doing so with the absences of Egan and McCarthy. And Clark's played all across the defense and in midfield for club and country anyway. With McCarthy injured, Molumby patently unready, Arter MIA, Browne playing RB for Preston, Cullen untrusted, and Hourihane an injury doubt, and like Hendrick, better served playing a bit further forward, surely it's something to consider as bodies keep dropping. He has the athleticism, physicality, passing range and composure so it wouldn't be the worst thing. It would give Hendrick and/or Hourihane a bit more of a license to roam also.

The Right Back Situation a Statistical View

Premier League Stats only via WhoScored

Seamus Coleman Everton Age 32 (15 Apps) Average Rating 6.53

Matt Doherty Spurs Age 29 (14 Apps) Average Rating 6.72

Tackles Per 90

Name	Doherty	Coleman
Tackles won	1.8	2.7
Player gets dribbled past	1.5	0.3
Tackle attempts	3.1	3

 

It is clear here that Coleman is the better one on one defender winning 90% of his tackles compared to Doherty’s 58%. Doherty has one of the league’s worst records for being dribbled past. Being dribbled past 1.5 times every 90 minutes ranking 10^th in the league in this metric amongst 51 players who have played right back. Interestingly Aurier Doherty’s teammate gets dribbled past 1.3 times which would suggest maybe something to do with Spurs’ tactics. Coleman has the best record of all right back in the league at 0.3, second is Aaron Was Bissaka with 0.4, this shows Coleman to be one of the best one on one defenders in the league. He was also the lowest last season

 

 

General Defence Per 90 

Name	Doherty	Coleman
Interceptions	1.5	0.5
Fouls committed	1.5	0.8
Clearances	2.4	2.2
Shots Blocked	0.4	0.2
Crosses Blocked	0.6	0.2

 

All the stats here are even enough. Doherty does have more interceptions but often players a bit higher up which would lead to more interceptions and also more fouls committed. Coleman does not have a high crosses blocked per 90 at 0.2 and actually has been a weakness of his game. We saw this against Manchester United where Manchester United score 2 goals from crosses down his side. The first one especially should have been blocked

 

 

Offensive Per 90

Name	Doherty	Coleman
Unsuccessful dribbles	.7	.5
Successful dribbles	.3	.9
Total Dribbles	1	1.4
Disposed	.5	1.2
Aerial duels won	2.8	.7
Aerial duels lost	1.7	.7

 

Here Doherty has a high unsuccessful dribble rate but we must remember again he does go forward more but interestingly averages fewer dribbles per game. Of players who have played over 5 games Coleman ranks second for times disposed only behind Kyle Walker. At 6ft 1 Doherty dominates aerial duels won at right back and has won the greatest number of aerial duels per 90 of all premier league right backs

 

Passing Per 90

Name	Doherty	Coleman
Total passes	47.7	40
Accurate long balls	1.3	1.7
Inaccurate long balls	2	2.8
Accurate short passes	36.8	32.1
Inaccurate short passes	7.6	3.4
Accurate cross passes	0.5	0.4
Inaccurate cross passes	1.5	1.3
Key Long Passes	0.1	0.2
Key Short Passes	0.8	0.4
Assists (Total)	2	1
Expected Assists (Total)	.72	.71

 

Again, here stats are even enough bar Key Short Passes, Doherty 9^th in the league to Colemans 24^th. One reason for this is Coleman and Rodriguez have played as a pair 8 times this season and when Rodriguez plays on the right, he is given license to roam, Coleman plays a far more defensive role thus and does not go forward as often for example against Spurs Coleman recorded 5 clearances, a tackle, an interception and a block but had no successful dribbles. Crosses are both even

 

Edited by wexfordman1 - 11 Mar 2021 at 9:12am

A player I think that should start is Kevin Long. He is a player who adapts well to popping in and out of a PL team, and in this case, where are normal CB pairing has lost form and is injured, somebody like him makes a lot of sense to me, especially as this is the type of situation he handles on a regular basis.

             Kelleher

Egan is out.

The way the injuries are going it looks like young Troy’s first goal of the season could be in the green of Ireland

wanderer wrote: Independent reporting McClean will be in the squad having recovered quicker than expected from a foot injury

Donegalman wrote: wanderer wrote: Independent reporting McClean will be in the squad having recovered quicker than expected from a foot injury  It just keeps getting worse for Kenny

Donegalman wrote: wanderer wrote: Independent reporting McClean will be in the squad having recovered quicker than expected from a foot injury  It just keeps getting worse for Kenny