I wrote yesterday on the overall team expected goals differential and how it is trending at +2 xG per game, therefore set up well for the end of the season. What of this group of players and their own expected scoring contributions (xSC) versus last season? A reminder: scoring contribution is goals + assists. Therefore, … [continue reading]
Turnbull
Making Sense of Space
I found a nice feature on Sofascore today – average player positions. Average position obviously doesn’t mean that was where they always stood, and it doesn’t mean that is where they are always relative to teammates. Nevertheless, without complex tracking data it is the best we have to discern a semblance of shape. I wanted … [continue reading]
Finding Forward Solutions
One of the issues against Kilmarnock was the inability to convert good field positions into chances. Celtic were relying on playing through their wide players, or linking with Kyogo Furuhashi dropping deep, or the number eights creating from the centre. Compared to the first two games of the season, Kyogo did not get on the … [continue reading]
The Midfield Minefield
This analysis lark is much about pilfering and refining the fine work of others. It’s all fair game so long as you attribute! So, props and shout outs to @CannonStats on Twitter. You might want to follow them if your schadenfreude extents to giving support to Ange Postecoglou’s new big rivals. In this tweet, the … [continue reading]
Risk / Reward in Midfield
A short (lol) piece on assessing the risk versus reward dynamic amongst the central midfielders. Many supporters appreciated that “giving the ball away” is not always a negative per se, but the corollary to attempting high risk or creative passes. Losing the ball is worth it sometimes if there are chances being created and opponents … [continue reading]
Chance Involvement
A new view created today looking at volume of involvement in chance creation. This chart aggregates the per 90-minute average involvements as measured by: Total shots Total chances created Total secondary assisting passes (the pass before the one that created the chance) I have included the whole squad as it is interesting to compare similar … [continue reading]
Hatate, O’Riley, Rogic, Turnbull. Who do you pick?
If all four of Hatate, O’Riley, Rogic and Turnbull are fit, which two do you pair with McGregor to form the midfield three for the next match? Defending Let’s start with the dirty stuff. Midfield is an allrounders game. Even the attacking midfielders have to press and compete in Postecoglou’s system. The framework I use … [continue reading]
Turnbull’s Passing Range
As Celtic’s winter break training resumes, amidst the many new faces, it is missing ones that may cause concern. David Turnbull came into Celtic on the back of a long recovery from serious knee injury. Not until December 2020, and a standout performance in defeating soon-to-be French Champions OSC Lille, did he cement a place … [continue reading]
The Abada – Turnbull Shoot Out
Many great performances against St Mirren at the weekend. The Hartson selected candidates for Bhoy of the Match were Abada and Turnbull and online Celtic selected Turnbull. Here’s my data-driven comparison. Goal Threat Turnbull managed his first Celtic hattrick off 8 shots, 4 on target. This was double Abada’s output. Abada managed an astonishing 14 … [continue reading]