Stats 23/24

This game was the first recently where Senesi (25) was further back than Zabarnyi (27); this is probably an Iraola tactical tweak but I’m not knowledgeable enough to know why. Smith (15) and Kerkez (3) were more defensive than normal. Cook (4) and Christie (10) were level with Kluivert (19) deeper than normal. Tavernier (16) was left to cover a lot of ground on the left side with Kluivert and Solanke (9) slightly on the right and nearer Semenyo (24). Philip (29) was slightly more central than Semenyo, following the first substitution. Sinisterra (17) replaced Kluivert just before the third goal and also played deeper than normal. In the 88th minute, Tavernier (16) and Cook (4) were replaced by Rothwell (8) and Ouattara (11) to shore up the game, which worked, with Man United creating little and AFCB still looking to counter.

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Cook had most touches 67, considerably more than Senesi, in second place, with 53. Solanke had most touches in the opposition half (28) and in the final third with 20.

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We had 21 touches in Man Utd’s penalty area with Solanke having 10.

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Cook attempted 37 passes with Zabarnyi on 35. Christie attempted most in the opposition’s half (19) whilst Kluivert attempted most in the final third with 9. We averaged 70% completion, with Christie, Smith and Kerkez of the starting elven to have a record better than 80%.

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AFCB attempted 12 crosses, being successful with 6. Tavernier completed most with 3 from 6, including two assists for goals.

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Our players tried to take on a man 32 times being successful 14 times. Philip completed most with 3 from 5, despite coming on in the 58th minute.

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We created 10 chances (3 big created by Philip, Cook and Sinisterra and Philip). Man Utd created 15 chances but none big.

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We had 10 attempts (three big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target four times. Man Utd had 20 attempts, none big and hit the target 3 times. Solanke had most shots for AFCB with 3.

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AFCB won 14 of 35. Semenyo won 3 from 6 with Ouattara winning 2 from 2 aerials duals.

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AFCB won 19 out of 31 tackles. Christie won 4 from 4 with Cook and Smith both winning 2 from 2.

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Christie made most defensive actions with 26, a season high surpassing Kelly at Brighton and Senesi at Liverpool with 18. Cook made most interceptions and most recoveries, Senesi made most clearances and Kerkez, Senesi and Zabarnyo made 3 blocks each.

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According to Opta, AFCB made no errors leading to chances or goals

The foul count was AFCB 10, Man Utd 7. Cook made most fouls (3) with Solanke being fouled the most (3).

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The Opta expected goals had Solanke (0.87) as most likely to score for AFCB with Philip (0.32) next. For assists, Cook was highest with 0.23 followed by Tavernier with 0.22 and Philip with 0.19. AFCB had an xGc of 1.16 and conceded none.

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Here is the xG from the very eventful N Forest game. The opening 22 minutes were quite cagey (xGs of N Forest 0.26 and AFCB 0.16) with only half chances not better than 1 in 10, before Boly was sent off in the 22nd minute. Having already been booked from chopping down Solanke, he won the ball and slid forward, with Smith stepping on him. It was a harsh second yellow with the ref assuming he went studs first into the AFCB man; the ref later booked Christie for a similar challenge so it must be something he has a bugbear about. This decision changed the dynamics of the game and up to half time the xGs were N Forest 0.04 and AFCB 0.34 with Bournemouth failing to create a clear chance, with the best being a header from Semenyo rated 1 in 7.

Any half-time plan for AFCB went out of the window when Forest scored immediately after the break. Scott brought down the ball well and attempted to jink past Wood but was tackled. One pass later and Elanga was through on goal to shoot in Neto’s bottom right corner (rated 27%). A quick response was needed given the resilient defence and the hostile crowd and we managed it, with a cross from Senesi finding Solanke who flicked it into the far corner (rated 1 in 50). 5 minutes later it was very nearly 2-1, a loose ball following a defensive error finding Semenyo, whose shot was blocked by what appeared to be (on tv) Williams testicles, rated 38%. But two minutes later we had taken the lead, Forest failed to clear the danger following a corner and Philip flicked it on to Solanke who put it in the net (almost 1 in 2). From this goal, the game dropped with the xG between the 58th minute and the 78th minute being N Forest 0.02 and AFCB 0.04, but Forest still scored. Wood’s header from a corner was a minor chance (rated 1 in 50) but with Neto ready to save and Solanke ready to clear off the line, the ball deflected off Sinesterra’s head and over both. With the crowd up Forest had a clutch of chances in the 79th minute, with Ouattara clearing a ball from near the line that may have been going wide, but he wasn’t going to be sure of this. AFCB fought back, and in the 82nd minute, Brooks hit the post with a deft touch (rated 29%) and Solanke had a shot blocked (1 in 11) with the defender’s follow-through leaving him stricken and hobbling for a little. However, he could stay on, which was fortunate, as in injury time, Smith crossed and Solanke directed the ball back across goal and into the top right corner (rated 1 in 30). Watkins had cost us 2 points in the Villa game with a similar header, but Solanke gained us 2 here and completed his first hattrick. The final xG was N Forest 0.79 AFCB 1.89, although OPTA had it closer as 1.02 vs 1.61.

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Having a man advantage allowed AFCB to be more aggressive, with both full backs (Smith (15) and Ouattara (11) a surprise left back choice) near the half way line. Tavernier (16) played nearer Ouattara, maybe to try and give support, whereas on the opposite wing Semenyo (24) played highest. Cook (4) and Christie (10) were central with Philip (29) and Solanke (9) in front of them. Cook was removed in the 28th minute, it was after the send-off so hopefully precautionary with Scott (14) coming on in a like for like change. Scott and Semenyo were both replaced in the 70th minute at 2-1 with Rothwell (8) and Sinesterra coming on; both outgoing players had been booked and with a fussy ref this appeared a good decision. In the 81st minute and chasing the winner, Outtara and Philip were withdrawn for Brooks and Moore, with Sinisterra switching to the left wing and Brooks on the right.

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Senesi set a season-high with 110 touches – beating Zabarnyi’s 102 vs West Ham - Ouattara was second with 85. Tavernier had most touches in the opposition half (51) although Senesi, Semenyo and Ouattara had 45 of more. Tavernier had most in the final third with 39, but was followed by Semenyo (36) and Ouattara (35) respectively.

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AFCB had 39 touches in the opposition’s penalty area, beating the previous high of 35 versus Chelsea, with Solanke having 10 followed by Ouattara with 8.

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Senesi attempted 88 passes and Zabarnyi 81. Senesi attempted most in the opposition’s half (37) followed by Tavernier with 36, whilst Tavernier and Semenyo attempted most in the final third with 26 and 23 respectively. We averaged 83% completion, with Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Neto and Semenyo being the starting players to have a record equal, or better than, 85%.

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AFCB attempted 31 crosses, being successful with 12. Smith completed 3 from 3, including the assist for the winner.

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Our players tried to take on a man 26 times being successful 8 times. Semenyo completed 2 from 2, whilst Christie had 3 from 6. Solanke was 0 from 5, although his efforts elsewhere overshadow this.

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AFCB created 14 chances (1 big, I think Brooks’ chance). N Forest created 9 chances with one big (their opening goal).

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We had 18 attempts (three big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target three times. N Forest had 11 attempts, one big, and hit the target 4 times. Solanke had most shots for AFCB with 6, joint highest with Tavernier’s half-dozen against Sheffield Utd.

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AFCB won 17 of 45 aerials duals. Solanke won 6 from 8 and Zabarnyi 2 from 2.

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AFCB won 15 of 26 tackles. Ouattara won 7 from 8 and Cook 2 from 2.

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Senesi made most defensive actions with 13. Philip, Senesi and Smith made most interceptions (2), Tavernier made most recoveries (10), Zabarnyi made most clearances (5) and Senesi and Solanke made most blocks (2).

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According to Opta, AFCB made one error leading to a goal which was when Scott was tackled in our final third.
 
The foul count was AFCB 10, N Forest 9. Semenyo made most fouls (3) with Solanke and Smith being fouled the most (2).

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The Opta expected goals had Solanke (0.73) as most likely to score for AFCB with Semenyo (0.31) next. For assists, Cook and Tavernier (0.19) were joint highest as we struggled at times to create chances.

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Five points to the good over all!
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I shuffled the Luton match to the end of the season pending the replay date. That leaves Fulham and then away at Spurs to complete Block 3. I'm looking forward to seeing the red trace for home points tick up on Tuesday.
 
The xG continues to depict steady performance, though for me not out most sparkling attacking performance against a not-very-good side with 10 men:
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The xGA chart is for me encouraging, though again, consider the opposition.

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I counted a couple of defensive mistakes from young players that came to nought, and a couple more that led to goals.
 
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