Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:24 pm  

Regarding assists - if Downing crosses the ball, a player heads it down to another player then the assist would go to the player heading the ball, not the player doing most of the work with the cross - Is this correct?

If so then this could point to the fact why Young has more assists, as he uses his pace to beat players, then lay the ball off for a player to shoot rather than crossing the ball from a deeper position.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:30 pm  

Saint Viper wrote:

Regarding assists - if Downing crosses the ball, a player heads it down to another player then the assist would go to the player heading the ball, not the player doing most of the work with the cross - Is this correct?

If so then this could point to the fact why Young has more assists, as he uses his pace to beat players, then lay the ball off for a player to shoot rather than crossing the ball from a deeper position.

Correct. It's also only an assist if the ball ends up in the back of the next. The more useful stat (if there's such a thing) is chances created, you're not then reliant on somebody else to chalk your tally up.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:46 pm  

Saint Viper wrote:

Regarding assists - if Downing crosses the ball, a player heads it down to another player then the assist would go to the player heading the ball, not the player doing most of the work with the cross - Is this correct?

If so then this could point to the fact why Young has more assists, as he uses his pace to beat players, then lay the ball off for a player to shoot rather than crossing the ball from a deeper position.

Exactly, making Young a more useful player. Just my point!

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:55 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

Exactly, making Young a more useful player. Just my point!

How?

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:13 pm  

Saint Viper wrote:

How?

We'll see this year, last year he had Bent smashing them over the goal line, this year he'll have Rooney smashing them over the bar.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:38 pm  

I iamgine most Liverpool fans would rather have had Young. We haven't got him and we've moved onto arguably the next best option. Of the sensiblle, available options I'm happy with what we have got.

What's the problem with that?

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:51 pm  

Saint Viper wrote:

How?

He's a quicker, better skilled and more direct player meaning he'll always create more chances and I would wager score more than Downing in most seasons.

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

I iamgine most Liverpool fans would rather have had Young. We haven't got him and we've moved onto arguably the next best option. Of the sensiblle, available options I'm happy with what we have got.

What's the problem with that?

He's not the next best option, Charles N'Zogbia would have been, he'd have cost less than half of what Downing would and, imo, would've done a better job too.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:54 pm  

Liverpool clearly wanted a player with good delivery which is why they went for Young, signed Adam and then signed Downing. They've signed players that fill needs. good business IMO.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:57 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

He's a quicker, better skilled and more direct player meaning he'll always create more chances and I would wager score more than Downing in most seasons.

He's not the next best option, Charles N'Zogbia would have been, he'd have cost less than half of what Downing would and, imo, would've done a better job too.

N'Zogbia is more of a playmaker than a winger is he not? We've already got Suarez and Gerrard for that role. We're all allowed opinions and if N'Zogbia was signed to play solely as a winger I'd still rather have Downing. N'Zogbia's attitude is reportedly not the best and I'd say that his play on the field can sometimes mirror that. He's brilliant when he's on form but I wouldn't say that is consistently.

EDIT - NZogbia made 122 crosses last season to Downings 324.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:58 pm  

Mark wrote:

Liverpool clearly wanted a player with good delivery which is why they went for Young, signed Adam and then signed Downing. They've signed players that fill needs. good business IMO.

It is as long as Carroll delivers. Huge pressure on the lad, although Dirk can take some of the pressure off his shoulders.