Case for the Defence

[Kitman 2207]

the age of this thread

[Happy Face 29]

In terms of tackling duties, 6 players actually make more than Captain Colo per game – he prefers to intercept, making the 3rd most per game on average at the club. One of the benefits of that, is that he doesn’t foul! 7 playing regulars make more fouls per game than the Argentinian.

 

Despite Colo’s leadership qualities, it is Mike Williamson who organises the line the best when it comes to pushing out. He wins more offsides per game than any other NUFC player (2.5) – Coloccini wins 1.6 per game on average.

 

Williamson and Steven Taylor make more clearances per game than the Newcastle Captain, but only Taylor makes more shot blocks on average (2 to 0.7 resepctively), although Colo has played in significantly more games this season.

 

When it comes to passing, Colo notches the 6th most average passes per game (33.3) and only Davide Santon from the regular starters has a better passing accuracy – 83.4%. Finally, Colo produces the 3rd most outfield long balls per game on average (3.2) after Danny Guthrie and Cheik Tiote.

 

 

 

When compared to the most appearing centre halves from the other of the current top 10 Premier League clubs, Colo’s stats are somewhat daunting. Other than tackling and winning offsides (showing NUFC’s high line and weakness to pace), he features around the middle band for everything else other than clearances for which he is the worst of the bunch.

 

Notice the strengths in Laurent Koscielny’s numbers and the passing credentials of John Terry and Ashley Williams. Fabricio Coloccini is an astute figure at Newcastle United but standing ‘toe to toe’ with the best and most regular in the Premier League, he isn’t outshining anyone.

 

Having said that, the Black & White faithful will testify to the improvement and development of Fabricio Coloccini since his arrival to Newcastle United in 2008. In his first season in the Premier League, the Argentine was anything but a confident figure, many criticising his laid back approach and his ability to deal with the physicality the league offers.

 

08/09

 

11/12

 

 

The most significant improvements can be seen in the likes of his ‘ball winning’ capabilities. Whilst his ground 50-50 win percentage is slightly lower this season, he has improved his general tackling ability but more prominently, his aerial aptitude.

 

He no longer makes the mistakes he did on arrival; no errors this season compared to 4 in his first, and that confidence his filtered into his possession game – his passing accuracy over 8% better.

 

 

 

It doesn’t stop there; Colo’s attacking game has developed considerably also. In recent times he has more opportunities at goal and gets into positions where he can create more chances than he previously did.

 

All in all, regardless of Captain Colo’s statistics, the Newcastle fans, his team mates and his manager know how important he is to the club and their chances of European qualification this season. Signing that new deal was a weight of everybody’s shoulders, knowing the Argentinian will be part of the continued progress Newcastle United hope to make.

 

However, what is abundantly clear is that Newcastle need to invest in someone with either equal ability to Coloccini or better! When he isn’t in the team, Newcastle do not look like the same outfit – the confidence in the defensive unit appears to get ‘zapped’ and there is no clear leader of the pack.

 

Here’s to hoping Colo gets fit before we can say ‘what happened to our season!’.

 

http://www.eplindex.com/12324/analysing-newcastle-fabricio-coloccini.html/2

 

Written before the Liverpool game.

[Kitman 2207]

Coloccini's all right but he's no Perch tbh

[Baggio 0]

11 clean sheets now in the league.

[wykikitoon 20757]

Newcastle have won 60% of Premier League games with Williamson playing this season, compared to 38% without him.

[Guest CabayeAye]

Newcastle have won 60% of Premier League games with Williamson playing this season, compared to 38% without him.

 

Just saw that on the Beeb site, was very surprised, actually! If he could cut out the mistakes, he could be good for us. Here's hoping...

[rogerbarton 24]

I'm really struggling with that stat...we did well while Williamson was out of the team at the beginning of the year. I'd hazard that there'd be similar stats with Saylor, and to a lesser extent Colo, tbh because our only real dip in form this season was when Willo was already out and Saylor and Colo got crocked as well.