Attacking midfielder problem

[CroJack]

Whilst the Swans were impressive defensively against Charlton, they were still not good enough going forward. We defended as a team by pressing and harassing Charlton players all over the pitch for 90 minutes. Apart from the last 10 minutes when Charlton threw the kitchen sink at us, by putting cross after cross into our penalty box, we kept them away from our goal. If we keep playing such a high intensity pressing football, we'll be promoted this season - no doubt about it.

I analysed the Charlton game yesterday and made a map of all Swans forward passes. I also included all passes made by the Swans players in Charlton's 18 yards box. Forward passes, together with forward runs with and without ball, are the best metric to judge players offensive contribution.

Yellow arrows: accurate passes and crosses
Red arrows: inaccurate passes, inaccurate crosses, and attempted shots
Blue arrows: goals
Bended arrows: lofted passes, headed passes, crosses

Freddie Woodman

First half



Second Half


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Most of Woodman's distribution went towards our left side, which has probably something to do with Woodman being right-footed. When he distributed the ball in our half he did a pretty good job, only two of these passes were inaccurate. All of his passes (long balls) into opposition half were inaccurate, though to be fair to him three of these long inaccurate passes were made in the last ten minutes of the game when we were under pressure and he simply stole some time by kicking the ball into opposition half.

Back four

First half


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This is interesting. Not only that Naughton made more forward passes in the opposition half than Roberts, his passes were also made much higher up the pitch. Naughton's link-up play with Celina was excellent, and we attacked most down the left flank. Roberts more conservative forward passing can be explained by Ayew and Fulton's generally more defensive than attacking approach. Apart from that unlucky pass in the third minute of the game that led to Charlton goal Rodon was simply fantastic. He was more adventurous than Hoorn in his forward passing, and his passes were more direct than Hoorn's. Rodon's forward passing can be explained by Celina's willingness to cut inside and Grimes' more attacking approach.
Naughton didn't put in a single cross in the first half, Roberts attempted two and both were inaccurate.

Second half


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We can see a clear difference in our full-backs' style of play in the second half. Naughton didn't play so close to the line like he did in the first half, and Roberts was more active high on the pitch. Our attacking down the flanks was more balanced in the second half. Rodon was not so adventurous anymore, and Hoorn played more centrally. Our centre-backs' forward passing accuracy was pretty impressive.

Grimes & Fulton

First half


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Grimes and Fulton had the same attacking influence in the first half, though Fulton assisted Dhanda for our first goal. Grimes was mostly involved in link-up play with Naughton and Celina, and Fulton mostly with Roberts and Ayew.

 

[CroJack]

Grimes & Fulton

Second half


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Whilst Fulton didn't contribute much up front in the second half, Grimes was impressive.

Celina & Dhanda & Ayew

First half


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We can see that Celina played as a winger in the first half, but can we say the same about Ayew? Interestingly, Ayew's end product was better than Celina's. Ayew was involved in the first Swansea goal, and he put in a dangerous cross at the far post. Celina had one decent cross in the first half. His forward runs with the ball were fantastic. Dhanda? He had two forward passes in the first half, and only one in the opposition box. To be fair to Dhanda, his pass into opposition box created a good chance for Ayew, and he also scored our first goal. But, in my opinion, ATM has to be more creative and contribute much more in opposition third.

Second half


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In the second half Celina's output was same, and he continued to frighten opposition defenders with his sudden outbursts and forward runs with the ball. Dhanda was again anonymous in the second half. Apart from the well taken goal, Ayew contributed nothing up front in the second half. He didn't have a single forward pass in the opposition half.

Borja

First half



Second half


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Like the rest of the team Borja worked hard, run as crazy and pressed opposition defenders all the time. I don't expect him to create much, other players have to feed him.

Conclusion​

We must not be fooled by Dhanda and Ayew's goals. Dhanda is not creative enough, and Ayew has to contribute more offensively.

Our full-backs and wingers have to put in more crosses than they do, otherwise Borja won't be scoring many goals.

I have no complaints about our defensive play.

Celina played well, but we have some good wingers who can do the same job, if not better than Celina.

We have to solve ATM problem and play a dedicated winger on the left flank. Celina is best when he plays as ATM, but if Cooper insists on playing Celina on the left flank, then someone else than Dhanda has to play ATM. Routledge, Ayew, Carroll? We have plenty of options.

 

[Behindthegoal]

Sterling work, as ever.

 

[Borini]

Fabulous work.... Good to have you here with us.

 

[IanABS94]

I'd like to see Ayew in the #10 role with Celina on the left and an actual winger on the right. Celina and Ayew both like to move around so putting them together offensively at least could create some very nice openings in the oppositions defence.