Early analysis

[Andy]

http://ghostgoal.co.uk/2011/08/24/chalkboard-analysis-positive-start-for-wolves/

Thought this was an interesting read

 

[TheRetroChief]

An excellent read. Makes a lot of sense when I think about it.

 

[Pengwern]

Love that! It supports my idea that Stearman is ideal for marking Agbonlahor, leaving Berra on Heskey and Captain Roger on Bent, with Ward pushing forward. We can nullify them like that, with Hunt and Ward helping out in central midfield when necessary, where Villa played 3 v Blackburn.

 

[Perton Wolf]

Can somebody copy and paste the article? Can't access it from work.

 

[Vietnam Wolf]

Really interesting - thanks ! Shame for some reason the Website is so slow from here in Vietnam.

The author knows a heck of a lot about Wolves.

 

[mrwolf]

still think foley should be playing at right back

 

[crocos]

Can somebody copy and paste the article? Can't access it from work.

It doesn't quite work properly but if you press the various wordpress.com links you'll get the diagrams in the original.

Chalkboard Analysis – Positive Start For Wolves

24 08 2011 *A version of this post appeared on WolvesBlog earlier this week
by Adam Bate
Johnson to the Rescue
The signing of Roger Johnson has obviously excited Wolves fans. It seems too much to dare to hope that one man can transform last season’s 17th leakiest Premier League defence into a formidable unit. However, he’s made a positive start and he’s done so by doing the things that earned him such praise at Birmingham City – tackling, blocking and intercepting. Johnson managed more successful tackles than any other player on the pitch on Sunday.
Roger Johnson made more successful tackles than any other player

Henry Still Important
The dirty Wolves tag is one that haunted Mick McCarthy and his side for much of the 2010-11 campaign and, for many, Karl Henry personified all that was wrong with that team. The player himself was clearly affected by the controversy but he has begun this season in encouraging form by doing what he does best – tracking runners, pressing the ball and making interceptions. Henry intercepted the ball high up the field on five occasions on Sunday. Astonishingly, this was four more than the entire Fulham team combined. Jol’s side preferred to sit back before pressing the ball but only succeeded in inviting Wolves onto them. The contrast between Henry and one of his chief detractors, Danny Murphy, was stark. The Fulham captain did not attempt let alone succeed in making a tackle in the entire contest.
Contrast Karl Henry's midfield interceptions with the entire Fulham team

Stearman’s Role
The inclusion of Richard Stearman at right-back was arguably the most controversial selection at the start of the season. Kevin Foley remains a firm favourite and Ronald Zubar has become a cult hero. In particular, the case for Foley’s recall was enhanced by an assured second half performance at Ewood Park during which the Irishman completed more passes than any other Wolves player. However, Mick McCarthy has expressed concerns about the size of his midfield and clearly favours Stearman’s height in the back line. Although it was Stephen Ward who made the most high profile interception of the day, Stearman actually made five to Ward’s spectacular one and it was noticeable that he frequently tucked in and won key headers at the far post. Indeed, the heat maps show the contrasting roles that the two full-backs had on Sunday. Stearman had a higher percentage of the ball than Ward in every equivalent zone within Wolves’ half, while the attacking left-back enjoyed an astonishing 51% of his possession in the opposition’s half. Foley may be the ball player but that is not currently the role that McCarthy is looking for from his right-back.
Richard Stearman & Stephen Ward - full-backs with different roles


Shoot, Shoot, Shoot
Wolves’ shoot on sight policy may have veered into the self-indulgent in the second half, with some fairly ambitious efforts, but Jamie O’Hara and Stephen Hunt in particular have added a goal threat from midfield. The twenty shots attempted against Fulham were more than Wolves had managed in any home game last season.
More shot attempts than any home game in 2010-11

Left is Right for Jarvis… not Hunt
Inverted wingers have been de rigueur for several seasons now and Mick McCarthy seems to finally be embracing the trend. Although Matt Jarvis provided the assist for Steven Fletcher against Blackburn with an orthodox cross from the right byline, McCarthy saw enough at Ewood Park to decide to utilise Jarvis and Stephen Hunt on the opposite flanks from the outset against Fulham. He got his reward as both wingers cut inside onto their stronger foot to help set up the goals – with Jarvis even coming inside to fire home for the second. While Jarvis has long enjoyed more success on the left-wing, there had been some debate as to Hunt’s preferred flank but playing from the right appears to allow the busy Irishman greater options with the ball at his feet. Lacking Jarvis’ electric pace, Hunt is less focussed on getting to the byline and more keen to drift around in search of space. This is borne out by the heatmaps that indicate Hunt enjoyed 25% of his possession in central areas compared to Jarvis’s 12%. As with the full-backs, McCarthy appears less concerned with symmetry – instead keen to allow the players to play to their strengths.
Matt Jarvis hugs the touchline while Stephen Hunt roams

 

[AndyP]

Love this kind of analysis. Can expect it to draw more defined conclusions as the season progresses. Will make sure I check the blog out more.

 

[OLDGOLD]

Darn it, the problem is that now Villa no how to defend against it D'oh.....


So Craddock at centre back, Zubar to start. Edwards and Milijas in Midfield Griffiths and Vokes up front. We won't win, but at least Villa won't have a clue what we are up to!

 

[sedgwolf1980]

You can write a 3000 word disssertation on the subject but you will still never, ever, convince me that stearman should be selected at right back ahead of foley.

 

[SourCream&OnionUtd]

Great read. One of the interesting aspects of Stearman's inclusion in the side is the debate we all had prior to the season. Who would partner Johnson in the middle? Berra or Stears? Well, Mick has found a way to allow both to partner Johnson and benefit from his experience and leadership. Thus far it has worked.

And since Ward is not a conventional fullback in any sense, as he bombs forward teaming with Jarvis for the little one-two's, making the overlapping and inside runs to free up space for Jarvis, it has the effect of overloading the opponent in that left channel. First it was the aging Salgado that was made to struggle, then on Sunday a thoroughly out of position Hughes. Even when Hangeland was called into action to cover for Hughes, he was brushed aside by the likes of Doyle.

And when Ward does, we effectively have a back three that slides over with Johnson as the sweeper, Berra and Stears on either side as the man markers. Of course it can be risky to defend with just the three centre backs, but what I really like about this is the flexibility it gives us if the opponent has a striker drop deep to drag one of the centre halves out of position.

If you've got just the two, it creates significant problems. But with three, one of them (seems like it has been mostly Stearman thus far) can step forward with a bit more assurance that there are still two in behind him, as opposed to only just the one.

The only problem on Sunday were the diagonal runs that Duff and AJ were making in our box in that opening 20 minutes or so when Fulham were on top. Duff cut inside on one occasion for a shot and Stears left him for Johnson who was already preoccupied with either Kasami or Dempsey I believe.

In any case, I expect Stears to keep his place in the side for now, with Foley only coming in at right back against the top sides when we expect to be under considerably more pressure. His assuredness and composure on the ball, not to mention he is more of a natural fullback, will help give us an outlet to play the ball out of the back.