I've never quite understood how to read these. The outliers are fairly easy to understand--like Bournemouth and Newcastle. But for instance, you reference Brighton's map--how is it that different from LCFC or Chelsea? There are a couple of other really interesting things here IMO. First, the use of GKs is very pronounced, and thus the lack of GK involvement for Spurs, Arsenal, and Newcastle stands out. The other is the width--MANC is so narrow, but I think of them as one of the best sides at utilizing the full width. Is the map's width average player position, or exclusively where the passes are being made/received from?Here’s a fascinating passing by chart for EPL sides by the Athletic. The two that pop to me are Brighton, with its many connections from back to front, and Forest…holy hell, Forest.
We went over this when we did these last season, but in case you’re just catching up: what you’re looking at here are called pass networks, and they show how teams pass the ball around in their average shape.
The circles are players (or actually, in this case, positions) and the lines show passing links of at least five completed passes per 90 minutes from one position to another. Sizes represent the number of passes and colours indicate how much the passes help the team’s chances of scoring a goal. So far so good?
You’ve probably seen a pass network for a single match before, but this season-level version averages data from all the games a team has played in its most common starting formation. For a team like Arsenal, who can twist their trusty 4-3-3 to suit the situation, that means the viz includes minutes before the first substitution from all 20 Premier League matches so far. For Chelsea, who change formations every time Graham Potter sneezes, the network covers just a small fraction of their total minutes.
DJ caught the good description of what these charts are doing. It does help me get a sense of how teams are playing, where they are most likely to attack/progress the ball from, and where they set up shop.I've never quite understood how to read these. The outliers are fairly easy to understand--like Bournemouth and Newcastle. But for instance, you reference Brighton's map--how is it that different from LCFC or Chelsea? There are a couple of other really interesting things here IMO. First, the use of GKs is very pronounced, and thus the lack of GK involvement for Spurs, Arsenal, and Newcastle stands out. The other is the width--MANC is so narrow, but I think of them as one of the best sides at utilizing the full width. Is the map's width average player position, or exclusively where the passes are being made/received from?
He looks free in a way I can only describe as “I am dealing with a nice milquetoast Englishman and not Diego Simeone”.Felix scores and has looked great in the first 17 minutes.
I guess the reasoning is he was sliding for the block and his arm was out to brace himself. Mind you, it looked like he deliberately handled.If VAR can't get that right, what are they doing?
Yeah, as a (former) member of the fullbacks union, I sympathize with guys who get called for a hand ball when their arm is extended more than a few inches off their torso, or as part of a natural sliding motion on a cross, etc.I guess the reasoning is he was sliding for the block and his arm was out to brace himself. Mind you, it looked like he deliberately handled.
Agreed.That’s the worst should’ve-been-given thst I can recall in a long time
That decision was so soft. xG has it favoring Brentford which seems about right but I’m still really impressed with this Arsenal side. They’ve implemented positional play so well and are constantly proving and threatening the way City used to. I’m jealous of their football even if they haven’t turned it into many clear cut chances today. Brentford have put in a lot of work and will suffer 60-90Arsenal lucky to be nil nil at the half. They’ve dominated possession but Brentford with the best chances …one of which should have been a goal except for an awful ref decision.
Beat me to it. Corner kick right to him literally just bounced off his hands. The Palace strategy of not even pretending to put any pressure on him for 70 minutes to keep him cold worked to perfectionHowler by Sanchez let's Palace back in it.
'Getting smoked my Leicester after beating City is the Spursiest thing they’ve done in awhile.
Goal Rush!These commentary teams are awful. They’re still talking about the knee to knee contact that occurred on the side that isn’t hurt.
Tanganga and Dier haven't exactly helped him out much.Very Spurs to splash the cash only on a RWB, afterwards the one they already have plays an absolute monster match, then they start the new 2x expensive guy and he fuckin’ stinks. He’s so payed some intermittent nice stuff offensively, but he’s been a turnstile.
Hopefully just adjustment.
Quite true. Deki also having a nightmare today. I don’t think he’s a bust or anything, early days. Bad debut though.Tanganga and Dier haven't exactly helped him out much.