Defensive Passing Patterns
a taste
Which teams force opponents into familiar patterns over and over this year so far? I clustered all open play passes into 100 different types and looked at z-scores to see which teams and pass types pop.
City’s high press forcing the pass-back
Usually you picture a press as forcing opponents to rush forward…but this high on the pitch giving opponents no chance to move the ball even close to midfield is also a win.
Leeds Opponents go vertical from a couple weird left back spot
The average team has allowed ~30 of these types of passes, Leeds are double that at 62, more than 15 ahead of the second place team.
Here is an example of why…look at that energy.
Saints opponents cross from the left side
It’s a leak, not a strategy I don’t think. Opponents have gotten down the Saints left side quite easily and these passes are well above average in yards gained, efficiency and shot creation. However, Saints are getting this under control: in the first 3 games of the season saw 12 passes lead to shots from this type…in the 8 matches since just 5 total. Romain Perraud started the first 3 matches of the season and has just started one since. Sorry Romain, you have replaced Jack Cork as the official Saturday’s whipping boy.
Liverpool opponents playing short from their box
Interesting to me is that opponents are having roughly league average success rates on these passes. The vaunted Liverpool press is not showing it’s teeth on these type passes…maybe it’s a trigger to start the press?
Watford opponents putt it around midfield
Man City almost never allow this pass (39 total passes), while Watford have allowed it 121 times.
Opponents trying direct verticality through West Ham
It’s not really working, in that the Hammers force opponents into below average success rates on these passes but it is a bit odd to see on of the best teams giving up tons of what seems to be a pretty dangerous pass. 74 attempts against vs a league average of 42.
Newcastle opponents moving ball to left wing in established possession
