Duels

% Duels Won Per Game

Michael Bostwick 71.50%
Jason Shackell  69.50%
Cian Bolger 59.20%
Ellis Chapman 58.80%
Harry Toffollo 58.30%
Michael O’Connor 56.90%

Actual duels won per game

John Akinde 14.88
Jake Hesketh 13.12
Michael O’Connor 11.88
Jack Payne 11.58
Harry Anderson 11.50

This one probably needs some context; a duel isn’t just a tackle but rather a situation where the ball is there to be won. For instance, a loose bal that two players chase is classed as a duel as well as tackling. Being challenged for the ball is a duel, fifty fifty balls are duels. It’s not tackling as such, after all tackling is an art form rarely practised these days. Again, I’ve included the sixth name in percentages, due to Ellis having only played a handful of games.

Still, another entry in a top five for Ellis after creeping into pass accuracy. I’m convinced he’s maturing at the minute.

I think the obvious big difference is the defenders winning more of their duels as a percentage; this is perhaps to be expected. They’re the ones entering into duels as part of their play; forwards are expected to avoid them and get balls into the box or grab goals. That’s why defenders win more as a percentage, in my opinion. It’s nice to see Michael O’Connor creeping into both charts though. He’s our number one defensive central midfielder in my eyes right now and with Ellis also in the reckoning, the feared January departure of Joe Morrell might be manageable.

Might.

When it comes to actual number of duels won, the names differ. This is where forwards come into the equation because they’re being challenged all the time, chasing loose balls and the like. I did expect to see a couple of forwards in there; I didn’t expect to see big John winning almost 15 per game. Jake Hesketh has certainly impressed as well, his tenacity is sure to be rewarded with a goal soon. I know forwards are judged on shooting (coming up on the next page) but few can fault the effort that John has put in.

Also, is there a shout for Harry to be given more game time? He might not be an MA player, Michael likes to get the wide men to fold in more and perhaps play a little cuter, but Harry is a bludgeon of a winger, a run-through-walls, knock-down-ya-granny style player who wins tackles.

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