Something I’ve noticed already this season. It’s miles better than it was last year. And it wasn’t all sideways and back. Not the greatest graphic if you’re Luca Connell, mind.
I was just thinking the same as I was watching the match last night. Many more passes finding their man and not so many going to the opposition or into touch.
Connell was literally hopeless when he came on. Gave the ball away or gave away a foul with every touch.
Not surprised by that star at all. The passing is much sharper, but more than that, it's being hit into players who are sometimes in little space, and it's still sticking or being manipulated to find the next pass. And often forgotten, movement. Not running at pace, but just moving, finding space, opening angles. It feels a while since we did those basics but already we look a different side. Play spread much quicker with short progressive passes, rather than aimless punts. Intent. Purpose. Then that stagnated when Connell came on. Stuck under his feet, dithering in possession, silly passes to nobody. To me, Connell seems one of the obvious ones to move on. Good industry, breaks play up, but after that, sadly, the output suffers.
That pass that Bland threaded through to Kelly, that wasn't a key pass? Lies, damn lies and statistics.
A key pass is deemed as such when it leads to a shot on goal. I don’t think he got the shot away did he?
He was great at Plymouth, and okay against Burton. I think I’ll ignore last night, but it did remind me of his poor stuff last season and having watched Kelly and Bland in that area it looked a huge comedown. Hopefully just a blip.
Biggest key for these stats is movement off of the ball. We didn't have that work rate last season, so the passes and chances are presenting themselves with our hard work
Last season i felt that Luca needed to do two things to improve. 1. Get his passing sorted. He seemed to make a lot of wayward passes last season, and many were short distances. 2. Keep an eye around him and don't get caught ball watching. I think he has improved so far, but last night he was off again. There was also a dangerous attack I noted in one of the league games, maybe Plymouth, where he let a player run off behind him while he was watching the play. They had a goal-scoring opportunity from it. All in all, I think Hourihane, having played in midfield, will help him improve.
