The extent to which style of play versus player attributes influence the data each player generates is a theme I will return to many times over the Age of Ange. Nowhere is this starker than in the striking position. Celtic have been blessed with the abilities of Dembele and Edouard over recent seasons. Griffiths scored … [continue reading]
Griffiths
Is Weissman Good Enough?
By James Dailey I think the answer to this question is dependent upon the “what for” which Weissman is expected to be good enough. If the answer is for a 2nd striker to be played with Edouard and/or be a fill in for Edouard in domestic games, then I think that is a reasonable expectation. … [continue reading]
Edouard Squared
By James Dailey As part of my first piece on Celtic by Numbers, I laid out my case as to why Odsonne Edouard’s talents and playing style would be better utilized with a strike partner – particularly one which plays in a more traditionally advanced and preferably central to centre right role. I was mistaken … [continue reading]
Copenhagen: Dream to Reality
By James Dailey Recency bias is the human tendency to mentally overweight memories from the recent pass more so than those from longer ago. Odsonne Edouard has been absolutely brilliant since the winter break, and I documented how brilliant in the recent piece I wrote with an early look at the effectiveness of the 3-5-2 … [continue reading]
Griffiths Turns The Corner
Two goals in consecutive games from corner passes was rare from Celtic in the recent Kilmarnock and Ross County ties. One was assisted by McGregor but it is Christie and now Griffiths that dominate free kick and corner duties over the season. Celtic Set Piece Summary Celtic have scored 7 times direct from set piece … [continue reading]
Does Griffiths Set Edouard Free?
Wednesday against Nomme Kalju may have been a glimpse into the way Lennon’s Celtic will play. Following the Rodgers 4-2-3-1 template to see out last season, we saw 4-4-2 and 4-4-1-1 in preseason. In reality, a lack of striking options has stymied any thoughts of two up front. But against the Estonians, both Edouard and … [continue reading]
Glimpses Of Gold In The Gloom For Griffiths
A season where football was not at the forefront of his mind ended with Griffiths completing a mere four 90-minute matches but still scoring a Griffiths-esque 6 goals. But it is a long time since the 40 goal season under Deila. 2018/19 Appearances Griffiths missed a total of 41 matches due to injury and illness. … [continue reading]
Thumbs Aloft
On 30th August Leigh Griffiths became the 29th Celt to score 100 goals. The 4th direct free kick of his Hoops career saw him join many Celtic greats like McGrory, Lennox, Larsson, Dalglish, Murdoch and more. Opponents Griffiths scored in his second appearance for Celtic on 22nd February 2014, away to Heart of Midlothian in … [continue reading]
Striking Consistency
The forward line has been disrupted by injury we know. How has this impacted the consistency of the strikers? There are many measures for the forward players. The one linked most explicitly to productivity is Expected Scoring Contribution (xSC). Scoring Contribution is the sum of goals and assists and is a simple measure of productivity … [continue reading]
Odsonne to Flourish
A snapshot of shooting efficiency. This does not take in the Partick Thistle cup match – sorry James! Only players who have had more than 10 shots on target are included (14 in reality). Shot Accuracy This is simply the % of all shots the player manages to get on target. Sinclair was the most … [continue reading]