Jack Wilshere v Tom Cleverley: Who is better?

Now, I hate comparing these two players. I think it’s a very boring argument as both players are very good English players who really do have a bright future for their country and respective clubs. But in an attempt to break the myth, I have contradicted myself and compared the two lads, but as a means to hopefully show that both players are different and have different strengths and weaknesses.

Stats

Green =best, Red = worst

Stats via EPL Index

Observations

-          Wilshere has played less games than Cleverley: This is a key point to initially make, as it will have an effect on some of the stats, such as the number of passes and the amount of actions a player makes on the pitch.

-          Poor Tackling Department: In all honesty, both players aren’t great in this area. Both players struggle to get an average of 80% across the tackling sectors. However, Cleverley edges it, thanks to his won tackle success percentage, but I do think both players really could improve in this area.

-          Wilshere more prone to lose the ball: Cleverley’s ball retention stands out rather boldly compared to Wilshere’s. The Arsenal number 10 has lost possession 12 times and has been dispossessed 16 times in comparison to the United man’s 6.

-          Cleverley’s  the more accurate passer: Wilshere runs Cleverley close in terms of pass accuracy. The stats suggest both are very able passers of the ball and their passing range is very diverse. Although the Man United midfielder is in front,  I think this could be due to two factors, firstly, Cleverley playing more games and secondly, the United player is a bit more cautious with the ball in comparison to Wilshere (the next observation will clear this up)

-          Wilshere comes in his own in the creative aspects: Jack Wilshere really shows his quality in this area of the analysis. The Arsenal boy creates more chances, makes more successful dribbles, and gets more assists than the United lad. If I come back to the point I made in the last observation about Cleverley being more cautious on the ball, I think the creative statistics suggest caution too. Cleverley has seen a hell of a lot of the ball when he has played, however, the fact he has only created 9 chances, in a team which often dominates games is hugely concerning. It implies that Cleverley is either being told to keep things ticking over or he is unwilling to make that decisive pass to open up the opposition. But let’s talk a little more about Jack Wilshere.  His dribbling stat completely overshadows Cleverley’s dribbling record, what this shows to me is Wilshere has that determination to not only beat his man, but he also has that desire to open up play. What makes Wilshere such a classy player is his ability to pass the ball effectively, but with the same token, he has great feet and lovley composure which assist him in creating chances.

Conclusion:

The grim reality is, these stats don’t prove anything conclusive. They don’t, I’m sorry. The reason for this is because both players cancel each other out. Cleverley is better defensively, while Wilshere is better going forward. While in terms of passing, both players are pretty close.  But who knows, maybe in the future, one will storm ahead of the other, but at the moment, both players do seem pretty even. The reality is, whoever you prefer out of the two, it comes down to taste.  Though, one thing these stats indicate is both players have their own qualities and strengths. What’s positive about this is that both players cover a number of bases. As a neutral and being from England, I think England fans should be very happy they have both players at their disposal, as the two players can complement each other, both can pass, both have great on the ball intelligence and both are hard working footballers too. 

(Stats from EPL Index, stats taken on: 12/011/13 ) 

 

Clear Cut Chances and the Premier League

Clear Cut chances are one of those underrated stats in football. The definition of a clear cut chance is ‘A situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score usually in a one-on-one scenario or from very close range.’ (EPL Index) So in other words, a clear cut chance is a chance where the attacker is odds on to score, it can range from a one on one finish, a unmarked headed chance or a tap in chance.

My theory is this, the more clear cut chances you create, the more goals you score, let’s see how many clear cut chances the Premier League sides have created this season.

Summary of Clear Cut Chances & Chances Created

Green =best, Red = worst

Home Clear Cut Chances

Stats via EPL Index

Away Clear Cut Chances

Clear Cut Chances and Goals Scored

My theory that the more clear cut chances you create, the more goals you score is not 100% true. The likes of Tottenham and Reading both break that line of thinking, but the stats do suggest a some connection between clear cut chances and goals scored.  

Key Points/ Observations

·         Man United creating clear cut chances in abundance: Man United have created an incredible amount of clear cut chances. This is one of the reasons why United are free scoring this season. United have created more than double the chances of around 6 Premier League sides. One must credit Sir Alex Ferguson’s ability to create sides and find players that have the understanding and tactical awareness to create good chances for their fellow team mates. It is quite clear looking at the stats, Man United create a stupendous amount of clear cut chances at home, no other Premier League side have created 20 clear cut chances at home, while United have created 26, which roughly equates to 3 clear cut chances created per home game. If Man United continue to create clear cut chances at this rate, I believe they will carry on scoring for fun this season.

·         Norwich creating an impressive amount of clear cut chances: Norwich have been on a monumental run of late, going unbeaten in their last 10 PL games. This run has been fuelled by the fact Norwich have the ability to create a decent amount of clear cut chances. A reasonable 15% of the chances Norwich have created have been clear cut. What impresses me about The Canaries, is although they do not create a whole deal of chances, the chances they do create are quality chances, which can be the difference between winning and losing games.

·         Everton have created the most chances in the Premier League: Everton being the top creators in the Premier League is no surprise to me. After all, the likes of Baines are have the fantastic ability to create chances not only in open play but from set pieces too. But Everton creating 27 clear cut chances is not bad at all, what will satisfy David Moyes the most is the a near equilibrium in the clear cut chances created home or away. 

·         Arsenal create the most clear cut chances away from home: Perhaps this comes as no surprise to some, after all, Arsenal are at their most effective when playing on the counter and away from home, they have a better chance to counter, as the opponent presses higher and plays a higher line.

·         Wigan’s poor 4 clear cut chances created away from home is an early concern: At the DW Wigan have no problem creating clear cut chances, however, on the road, it’s a different story. What surprised me was the fact, Wigan’s system is predominantly structured on counter attacking and you’d expect them to create more clear cut chances on the road, given it is more likely that there will be more space for them to exploit on the road. Furthermore, it is probable that a clear cut chance will be created when there is more space, as the marking is lax and players can be found out of position.

·         Liverpool creating chances, but not enough quality chances: Liverpool’s lack of finesse in front of goal has been widely talked about for the past 18 months. However, there have been many calls that, ‘Liverpool are one natural goal scorer away from being successful.’ I am unsure of this, although having a goal poacher would certainly see Liverpool score more goals, the quality of the chances Liverpool have created has not been great. Only 9% of Liverpool’s chances have been clear cut, there are 14 sides who have created more clear cut chances than The Reds, even though Liverpool have created the second highest amount of chances in the Premier League. If Liverpool are to improve their League standing, I feel they need to indeed their chances, but more pertinently the chances they create have to be better, therefore making it easier for the attackers to finish.

·         Aston Villa’s struggling to create at home: A few seasons ago, Villa park was something of a fortress , but a mere 4 clear cut chances being created at home is something which perhaps demonstrates this young Villa sides lack of experience and know how. Perhaps the pressure of playing in front of a big crowd is having an effect on Villa’s expressive side of their game, if you look at their away clear cut chances, its far far better, I think it is a mental aspect which is effecting this young Villa team at home.

·         Tottenham scoring comfortably, yet not created many clear cut chances: This is an odd one, one which really surprised me, prior to looking up the stats, I expected Tottenham to be up there with the teams creating the most quality chances in the Premier League, I mean look at their creative players, the likes of Lennon, Bale, Dembele and Dempsey. These are all players who can create quality chances. I expect Spurs to create more clear cut chances as the squad grows into AVB’s team. 

And to finish off, here's a pie chart showing how much or how little clear cut chances the Premier League sides have created.

 

(Stats from EPL Index, Date stats taken: 18/12/12 )