Ajer returned to the side after a bad facial injury and was pitched into right back against the hugely talented FC Salzburg. Part of the makeshift arrangement against Hibernian, he returned to the bench versus Motherwell. Seemingly a target for the critics, the 20-year-old continues to learn new defensive positions in amongst the constantly shifting … [continue reading]
Boyata
When 100% Completion Tells You Nothing
Good to see Neil Cameron in the Herald today using passing stats in an article on Gordon. I will admit I didn’t read the article as it is behind a pay wall but the basis of it seems to be that he has 0 incomplete passes in more than one game this season. In fact, … [continue reading]
The Boyata Bounce
The end of the first International break is a good time to check point where we are as regards key defensive performance indicators. The chart below maps Defensive Action Success Rate (DASR%) against Possession Won / Lost per 90 m. A reminder: DASR is an aggregate of core defensive actions such as tackles, aerial challenges … [continue reading]
The Problem Position Revisited
It has been the most problematic period of the Rodger’s regime over the last two weeks. At such times all perceived woes get an airing. Are the underlying performance problems at Celtic all that complex to understand? If we look at the issues surrounding the Celtic playing squad there are many. But I posit most … [continue reading]
Defensive Action Success – Season Review
What can defensive metrics tell us about contributions to the Double Treble? Defensive Action Success Rate (DASR%) is a composite of defensive actions successful and unsuccessful. The Glossary snaps into the challenge to dispose doubt. DASR% is (I believe) a very useful single measure of all round defensive competence. It takes tackles, aerial challenges, interceptions, … [continue reading]
Central Defender Consistency
Can the performance of the Celtic central defenders be assessed in terms of their consistency? Thanks to @seanmcneal3 on Twitter for asking whether Boyata’s performances were consistent. The key aggregated metric for assessing defensive actions is the Defensive Action Success Rating (DASR). I’ve explained it before and the Glossary is the big lad at the … [continue reading]
The Problem Position
With Boyata injured and Simunovic making high profile errors, the Celtic central defence is under scrutiny again. Ajer and Hendry are young in a position where experience is vital, and Compper hasn’t played a minute. Is this Celtic’s problem position? As always, the Glossary is a great reducer where confusion is concerned. Statement of Limitations … [continue reading]
An Unsettled Outlook
The fourth season review considers the centre backs. I have discovered that assessing centre backs is harder than any other position. I think this is harder because: Even more so than with full backs, central defending depends on “actions” not easy to capture – i.e. where to stand. Most danger is avoided due to being … [continue reading]
Deeds of Boyata
Dedryck Boyata is currently back in a talented Belgian national squad, completing a circuitous journey from Manchester City “wonder kid”, through loans, a move to Celtic, errors and injury then back in the Celtic 1st team. The Manchester City Connection Boyata signed for Celtic on 2nd June 2015, the first signing by Deila of that … [continue reading]