Not sure I should be talking about “packing” on Valentine’s Day (was a euphemism for being dumped back in the day).
However, I cover the concept of packing a lot on here and The Huddle Breakdown as I believe, even more than expected goals, the whole concept does as good a job as any set of metrics can explain the game.
When you boil it all down it is about removing the opponents from the game by getting the wrong side of the ball relative to their own goal.
And if we distil that further, if you take opposition defenders out of the game it is likely to be facing a disorganised, scattered, and scrambling defence.
Packing results in 34 data points per player per game.
If I focus on one killer stat it would be the number of defenders taken out of the game. As packing covers turnovers, this can be a negative score as when you take YOUR players out of the game, that results in a negative packing score.
Without further fanfare and fannying around, here are the defenders packed per 90m per player from this season (more than 450 minutes):
It is not necessarily a disaster to have the defenders on negative scores given how rarely they will take opposition defenders out of the game with their passing. Same with Joe Hart – him being about zero is ok.
Less concerned with Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu given they are expected to be on the end of those passes.
Concerns are Daizen Maeda being so low given his role in the team as a wide forward.
Also, Paolo Bernardo, as the most advanced of the midfield three would be expected to have more aggressive passing numbers.
More positively, Luis Palma, whilst erratic, does spot a pass further highlighting why I’d like to see him more central.
In previous seasons Matt O’Riley has led this stat and shows up well again. This data also supports the notion Reo Hatate will bring increased creativity to the team when he returns.
Alistair Johnston is the pack pass master from the defenders and is another sore injury miss.
In terms of top-end creativity fit and healthy Liel Abada and Reo Hatate would improve the side over Bernardo and Maeda.
Steve Naive says
Packing had another meaning on St. Valentine’s Day, 1929 !
Andrew Terranova says
Always appreciate your commentaries: here on Huddle Breakdown, and ACSOM. I’m embarrassed to say how much Celtic fan media I consume here. Helps with the day to day isolation from other Celtic supporters here in Long Beach, California. I always value your takes the most. Thanks for all the work you put in.
celticbynumbers@btinternet.com says
Thanks Andrew – very kind of you to say so
Gabriel says
Hi Alan,
Am I right in thinking that you used to capture pack dribbles as well before, i.e. taking someone out the game without passing the ball?
Or does the general “packing” stat include that?
Thanks for all the content.
Al Morrison says
Hi Gabriel
Yes a pack dribble is captured
It is quite a rare event comparatively speaking hence I don’t mention it much. Also intend to add progressive runs + pack dribbles = ball carries which are more frequent
And yes it is part of the overall packing score
Thanks again
Joe says
Always enjoy your reports but better to put a face to name on Huddle etc
Read your reports for long time but am I right/wrong you have appeared on Celts Down Under recently. Maybe drink/time difference kicking in
Cheers
Al Morrison says
I have not but believe they are good lads so maybe one day
Thanks
Jim says
Hi Alan, thanks for all your hard work it’s much appreciated ? I just wanted to ask about Daizen Maeda, I was wondering how we could make more of his positive attributes in the team,
celticbynumbers@btinternet.com says
Hi Jim and thanks
I would have him as a striker – it is clearly his best position. he has little creative ability and would better utilise his pressing capabilities
RefMartin says
Finally! I have been a lone voice among my friends in saying Maeda should play through the middle, pulling people out to get space for Kyogo, and making late runs to crosses.
Not that it would make much difference under the current “no quick attacks, let the other team reset completely for a bit” approach.