Day Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 DERBY County have won more games, scored more goals and collected more points this season than they had at the same stage 12 months ago. But they have conceded more goals, nine to seven, and tonight are looking to avoid a third successive defeat when they entertain Barnsley at Pride Park Stadium. Statistics can tell many stories and the one that always matters most is the final score. But when manager Nigel Clough says that he sees an improvement in what the players are doing and trying to do, there are Prozone stats from the first six league fixtures which, when compared to the same period in 2008-9, support his view. For a start, there has been a big improvement in Derby's passing since Clough took over as manager in January. That was evident in games last season but more so this season, notably in the opening-day victory over Peterborough United and in the second half of the defeat by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The Rams have made 93 more passes (291 to 198) in the six matches compared to the first six games last season. There have been 78 more completed passes (232 to 154) – pushing the pass completion rate up to 79.7% from 77.7% – and 132 passes (95 last season) have been forward. Derby's three-man midfield in the 4-5-1 shape has helped to increase the team's percentage possession from 47.2 to 52.4%. Crosses have been a topical subject since Saturday's narrow home defeat by Sheffield United. Clough felt too many good situations were wasted and he wants to see his wingers take greater care when delivering from the wide areas. He wants to see the quality of delivery improve. The number of crosses is up to 21 from 12 and entries into the final third and the opposition penalty area have also shown an increase. Penalty area entries are up from 34 to 42. The three teams to visit Pride Park this season have switched their system to match Derby. Clough sees this as a compliment. "Sheffield United did on Saturday," said Clough. "They generally play a 4-4-1-1 with Ched Evans and Darius Henderson up front. "Peterborough did it, Plymouth as well. It's no secret how we are going to play, so we must try and find different ways around that as well. "We feel as though we did on Saturday. We got into great positions wide. "We talked about how important Lee Croft and Gary Teale are for us and they were out there this morning [Monday] practicing their crossing and putting it in the right areas. "All our four goals at home have come from set-plays, either directly or indirectly. We had eight or nine corners and free kicks against Sheffield United on Saturday and didn't make anything of them, which is another reason why we didn't get anything." Prozone is the main match analysis tool used by clubs in the Premier League and Championship. Here is what some of the stats are saying... Top Passers: 1 Robbie Savage, 2 Paul Connolly, 3 Dean Moxey. Top Pass Completion: 1 Robbie Savage, 2 Lee Croft, 3 Stephen Pearson. Successful Passes Forward: 1 Paul Connolly, 2 Dean Moxey, 3 Robbie Savage. Top Crossers: 1 Lee Croft, 2 Gary Teale, 3 Kris Commons. Distance Covered: 1 Gary Teale 11.96km, 2 Jake Livermore 11.58km, 3 Robbie Savage 11.53km. [url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/football/Stats-suggest-Rams-getting-better-Clough/article-1336511-detail/article.html]http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/football...il/article.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicky-27 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 TOP PASSERS: 1 Robbie Savage, 2 Paul Connolly, 3 Dean Moxey. TOP PASS COMPLETION: 1 Robbie Savage, 2 Lee Croft, 3 Stephen Pearson. SUCCESSFUL PASSES FORWARD: 1 Paul Connolly, 2 Dean Moxey, 3 Robbie Savage. TOP CROSSERS: 1 Lee Croft, 2 Gary Teale, 3 Kris Commons. DISTANCE COVERED: 1 Gary Teale 11.96km, 2 Jake Livermore 11.58km, 3 Robbie Savage 11.53km. Put that in yer pipe and smoke it David !! Can't be Sav - his legs have gone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 Connolly is more successful at passes going forward than Savage, Savage is meant to be our "creative" player spraying passes from midfield. May I also remind you the stats are from just Derby, he could be the worst passer in the league overall. We need better than Savage for next season if we are serious about getting out this league, Savage is fine if we want to dwindle in the lower half of the Championship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derbydan Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 haha and you said his legs had gone eh well it does look promosing if you look at the stats in that way but its the points in the table which count unfortunately not the amount of passes you have made Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 Try looking at it from the other side of the coin instead of the lets all stick our head up Savages arse brigade on here, the rest of the team are underperforming players such as Green haven't played as many games as Savage. Green will be ahead of those stats after a few games under his belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derbydan Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boycie Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 i wish all them miles teale covers were in a straight line and in one direction only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 Out the Pride Park exit and up the M1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Marina Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 It's alright passing the ball about a lot more, but what have we done with it? We have the players in place to be a lot higher up the table Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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