Pochettino's positive effect

[Jack]

Interesting article posted this afternoon. Couldn't see it anywhere else.

 

'Long ball' stats can be misleading.

 

http://www.whoscored.com/Blog/q5hf_gkblue1ias-qycfwg/Show/Team-Focus-Pochettino-Coming-Good-at-Southampton#.UlQJbmfr2Cs.twitter

[The9]

Goals conceded apart (easily explained by the skewing of fixtures against the top half teams for Adkins' spell compared to Pochettino), those stats are barely different from under Adkins and any variation could be explained by sample size and standard deviation. It's a hell of a leap to show that part of Saints' "long ball" game is to take advantage of un-set defences (true of pressing), when a quick look at the actual "long passes" shows that around half of the "long balls" are entirely within our own half.

 

 

Other than the accuracy of the statement that stats in football are underdeveloped and often fail to show cause, the only thing I thought was notable about the article is the phrase "Southampton’s front four press quickly, in clear formation: one going to the ball, two backing him up and a fourth looking fill space and pounce if the ball gets through the initial wave." I hadn't noticed such a clearly defined "method" to the press and will look out for it... in the matches where we bother to press at all.

Edited 9 October, 2013 by The9

[PhilippineSaint]

MLG is going to be busy trying to prove some of those stats wrong

[whelk]

Interesting article although people have quoted stats to suggest Victor's passing is good. Disputes what my own eyes tell me.

[whelk]

And assume the overall rating is out of 10 so don't get why MP's rating is just slightly less than 2% more than NA as stats much better esp points gained.

[saint si]

Goals conceded apart (easily explained by the skewing of fixtures against the top half teams for Adkins' spell compared to Pochettino), those stats are barely different from under Adkins and any variation could be explained by sample size and standard deviation. It's a hell of a leap to show that part of Saints' "long ball" game is to take advantage of un-set defences (true of pressing), when a quick look at the actual "long passes" shows that around half of the "long balls" are entirely within our own half.

 

fill space and pounce if the ball gets through the initial wave." I hadn't noticed such a clearly defined "method" to the press and

[saint si]

33 points versus 22 is a big difference. When you consider MP has faced Chelsea, Liverpool (twice), United, City, Arsenal and Everton in his games in charge, it's not fair to say it's all down to quality of opposition.

[Batman]

that cant be right. we were all free scoring, free flowing under adkins

 

 

the9, havent they pretty much played against the same teams, rather than the stats being 'skewed'?

obviously, we are not going to press every team...

Edited 9 October, 2013 by Batman

[CB Fry]

Nigel Adkins was only in charge for twenty two games? Seemed longer.

 

What was the name of that geezer that took us to two successive promotions?

[Batman]

Nigel Adkins was only in charge for twenty two games? Seemed longer.

 

What was the name of that geezer that took us to two successive promotions?

cant remember

[whelk]

Nigel Adkins was only in charge for twenty two games? Seemed longer.

 

What was the name of that geezer that took us to two successive promotions?

 

So you think a comparison of games against Walsall, Rochdale with games against Man City, Utd would be less flawed?

[CB Fry]

So you think a comparison of games against Walsall, Rochdale with games against Man City, Utd would be less flawed?

 

Did I say that? Just don't like the inference that our being in the top flight is/was a foregone conclusion, and Adkins reduced to the role of a 22-game failure.

[corky morris]

Interesting. I think we break way to slowly & Swansea showed us what we should be doing. The long balls they played were often out wide to Dyer & Routledge. Can you imagine if we still had Oxlade Chamberlain?? In the side for Davis or Jay Rod on the left. Could then rotate with Lallana.

[Window Cleaner]

Interesting. I think we break way to slowly & Swansea showed us what we should be doing. The long balls they played were often out wide to Dyer & Routledge. Can you imagine if we still had Oxlade Chamberlain?? In the side for Davis or Jay Rod on the left. Could then rotate with Lallana.

 

If we wanted fast wide men we would have bought them, we didn't so we don't. As I said yesterday for all their speedy wide play Swansea still lost 2-0. Everybody tackles, everybody presses in our system, do Dyer and Routledge do that ? I've no idea. Dyer looked handy because he was up against Fox, maybe against Shaw he'd have looked less useful.

[dubai_phil]

Relatively, Southampton have had it easy. They are yet to play one of the Champions League elite this season but a 1-0 win away to Liverpool was mightily impressive. Follow that up credibly at Manchester United when the Premier League resumes and they will have to be taken seriously.

So it was hugely refreshing to hear coach Mauricio Pochettino say that reaching the Champions League — not the Europa League, note — is his ambition this season. There is nothing wrong with aiming for the top.

There is a lot of change, vulnerability and inexperience up there this season; more than ever, a big-thinking little club should dare to dream.

Euro ambition: Saints boss Pochettino is targeting a place in next season's Champions League

 

 

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2449906/Roy-Hodgson-England-fail-qualify-World-Cup--Martin-Samuel.html#ixzz2hDNdGrWn

Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

Martin Samuel in the fail

[Window Cleaner]

Martin Samuel in the fail

 

Of course the national press always denigrate our efforts but the thing is that in today's EPL there are no easy games, which is why Utd lost at home to WBA,Spurs got thrashed by West Ham and Citeh have been beaten by both Villa and Hull. With the sums of money awash in today's EPL all sides can afford good players and the difference between a top top player on an average day and a medium player on a good day has become negligble. If the managers don't get it right then even the reputed top sides will struggle against perceived minnows because if the tactics are right most PL players are well capable of implementing them correctly. Still don't think we'll finish in the top 4 though.

Edited 9 October, 2013 by Window Cleaner

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Goals conceded apart (easily explained by the skewing of fixtures against the top half teams for Adkins' spell compared to Pochettino), those stats are barely different from under Adkins and any variation could be explained by sample size and standard deviation. It's a hell of a leap to show that part of Saints' "long ball" game is to take advantage of un-set defences (true of pressing), when a quick look at the actual "long passes" shows that around half of the "long balls" are entirely within our own half.

 

 

Other than the accuracy of the statement that stats in football are underdeveloped and often fail to show cause, the only thing I thought was notable about the article is the phrase "Southampton’s front four press quickly, in clear formation: one going to the ball, two backing him up and a fourth looking fill space and pounce if the ball gets through the initial wave." I hadn't noticed such a clearly defined "method" to the press and will look out for it... in the matches where we bother to press at all.

 

Seeing as they played just over half a season each, they have probably each played all the big teams. Other than Arsenal, I'm pretty sure MP has played them all, but he has played Liverpool twice and won both games. This is a bit of a nonsense point.

[whelk]

Did I say that? Just don't like the inference that our being in the top flight is/was a foregone conclusion, and Adkins reduced to the role of a 22-game failure.

 

Is this inference in your own mind? it is fair to compare teh stats and by acknowledgement is no inference that NA wasn't a great manager for us and nothing but a success.

[S-Clarke]

Interesting. I think we break way to slowly & Swansea showed us what we should be doing. The long balls they played were often out wide to Dyer & Routledge. Can you imagine if we still had Oxlade Chamberlain?? In the side for Davis or Jay Rod on the left. Could then rotate with Lallana.

 

What, losing?

 

What we're doing so far this season is fine. We have our way of challenging the opposition, we don't attack teams with the verve and swagger of previous, but that's the price you pay for defensive stability.

 

It does sometimes frustrate me at the speed of our attack, but you cannot really argue about the improved solidity and organisation of the team.

[Red Alert]

What, losing?

 

What we're doing so far this season is fine. We have our way of challenging the opposition, we don't attack teams with the verve and swagger of previous, but that's the price you pay for defensive stability.

 

It does sometimes frustrate me at the speed of our attack, but you cannot really argue about the improved solidity and organisation of the team.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with this.

 

It seems to me like we are not happy winning, so we have to moan about the style in which we are winning. Anyone who can't appreciate that our defensive solidarity will win us more points than a full out blitz on the opposition goal would do is a bit mental.

[Toadhall Saint]

I like to think we have a more measured approach to attacking ie one where if caught out our team doesn't take forever to get back into there defensive positions and that starts from the front men

[tajjuk]

We are 26 points from 40 at the moment.

 

If and when we get to that point then see where we are then.

[Turkish]

Did I say that? Just don't like the inference that our being in the top flight is/was a foregone conclusion, and Adkins reduced to the role of a 22-game failure.

 

Don't forget we can also ignore the first 12 games of Adkins as that was when were adapting to the premier league so hey dont count. Its only fair to compare his 13 games after that as we'd adapted by then.

[positivepete]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/oct/08/english-coach-anthony-hudson-bahrain

 

An interesting bit in this article about time spent with Bielsa, who is the architect of the style Pochettino sets out to emulate.