Jake Bidwell v Connor Roberts pass maps and defensive contribution against Nottingham Forest

[CroJack]

First Half


Yellow: Accurate passes
Red: Inaccurate passes
Blue: Shots off target
Purple: Blocked shots



Connor Roberts






Jake Bidwell




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Connor Roberts made only three forward passes in the first half; two of them in the opposition half and one in our half. One of the forward passes was inaccurate. Robert's pass accuracy in the first half was 89.5 %.
Jake Bidwell made eleven forward passes; all in the opposition half, three of them were inaccurate. Bidwell had a a shot off target from distance and one blocked shot. Bidwell's pass accuracy in the first half was 91.8 %.

Neither of them put in a single cross in the first half.

Worth to mention that the vast majority of the backward passes from our full-backs in the first half were forced backward passes - there were not really any other passing options. Forest players were good at effectively closing down and pressing our midfielders and our wingers, Routledge on the left and Ayew on the right flank didn't make it easy for our full-backs. Around 30th minute Routledge and Ayew changed positions and we became more dangerous on the left side where Bidwell-Ayew-Celina created some half chances. We still struggled on the right flank except for one nice triangle played by Roberts-Routledge-Celina, when Celina failed to put a decent cross in, and one good cross from Celina to the far post where there weren't any Swans players.

All dangerous situations in front of the Swans goal came either down our right flank or through the middle of the park. Most of them were result of our players being dispossessed in dangerous areas. Whilst Bidwell didn't allow any crosses from his side, Roberts and co. allowed all of them. Bidwell's defensive work was impressive in the first half. He was successfully man-marking, closing down and harassing Forest winger for 45 minutes, not allowing him to do any damage.

 

[CroJack]

1. Forest try to attack, Bidwell immediately closes down and presses their winger. Forest are forced to pass the ball back to their goalkeeper, Borja presses Forest goalkeeper and we win corner-kick:

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2. See here how Bidwell aggressively presses in the midfield and breaks down Forest play:



3. Not quick enough to run past Forest defenders but wins a corner-kick:



4. When Forest have the ball he is always close to his man an keeps his eye on him:



5. This is how you defend when a low cross is coming into our box. Not behind, but in front of the opposition attacker:

 

[CroJack]

6. Bidwell anticipates Forest forward pass and closes down their attacker. Forest lose possession.



7. Anticipates dangerous run and keeps his eye on Forest attacker:



Man-marks properly Forest attacker who receives the ball from a high cross. This is how you do man-marking against crosses:



And blocks the shot:



8. Forest corner-kick. Bidwell holds both arms around his man and doesn't give him a chance to move or jump:

 

[CroJack]

9. Forest attack but he is close to his man and anticipates a through ball:



Bidwell doesn't allow Forest winger (full-back) to run past him and Woodman collects the ball.



10. Forest counter-attack and Bidwell steals the ball in the middle of the park. Then Swans attack and we create a chance.



11. Forest attack and Bidwell is again in a good defensive position:



12. He presses Forest man who receives the ball and forces him to make a panic pass. We win a throw-in.

 

[ivoralljack]

Terrific and interesting analysis there, CJ. Appreciate the time you took to compile all that for us.

 

[Borini]

@CroJack there is a job ad on the Swans web site for an analyst.... Get in there!!!

 

[CroJack]

Second Half

(The last ten minutes are missing due to lost stream. I'll update their pass map when the match is uploaded on the Swans web site.)

Jake Bidwell





Connor Roberts






Both halves comparison


Bidwell





Roberts



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As you can see, in the first half we attacked much more down the left flank. Roberts was more involved in attacking play in the second half. In the first half our full-backs didn't put in a single cross into Forest box. They put in five crosses in the second half.

Swans were much more agressive in the second half and Forest opened up a little bit. We attacked mostly through the middle (Routledge & Byers) and on the right wing where Ayew was really good.

Conclusion

Swans made it difficult for themselves by a) playing a lot of inaccurate long balls instead of playing on the ground, b) not putting in enough crosses into Forest box, c) not committing bodies up front and d) not defending properly when counter-attacked.

 

[KVetch]

Very nice, I wanted to see a few more long balls in that game and get behind the press. I'm sure Cooper will figure out a strategy because that is what teams are going to do against them.

 

[Ladygargar]

@CroJack that’s truly remarkable analysis even I could follow it - well done my friend, top job!