GOALS, GOALS, GOALS
Seventeen goals in three games! It isn’t very often you get to write that. We managed to outperform our expected goals value of 9.95 in this period, scoring seven more goals than the quality of chance created.
A large proportion of this was delivered in the game against Clermont, we were four goals up inside the first 20 minutes. Their goalkeeper Massamba N’Diaye having an absolute stinker, picking up an average rating of 5.7, although I have no doubts L’Equipe would have been much harsher with their ratings.
The result will also go down into our history books as a record high scoring game. However, our biggest win is still secure, we defeated SO Montpellier 8-0 back in 1956.
We managed to take a whopping 43 shots against Libourne, with 17 finding their way to the target, totalling 5.79 xG. Doing the math, that is 0.13 xG per shot which in my opinion is fantastic considering the volume of shots taken.
Mohamed Achi racked up a total of eight key passes in the game (record high for my time at Nantes), despite him building an expected assist value of 1.0, he wasn’t able to walk away from the game with a gaol contribution to his name.
PLAYING UNITS
I am more than conscious that I am happily playing along without providing any narrative to detail players performances. Here I have attempted to give you a little flavour on the outputs of individuals within the playing units of the squad.
GOALKEEPERS
Alban Lafont has drawn down the most minutes between the sticks, the 25 year old is without a doubt the best goalkeeper at the club, as shown in the below player comparison.
However, Rémy Descamps has more than shown his ability when called upon and actually is out performing Lafont with regards to his save percentage 90% vs 76%. I made the decision to extend the 27 year old’s contract until 2028 as I feel he is a decent Ligue 1 player, he only wanted £10.5k per week, which reduces my worry about recruiting for this position.
DEFENDERS
Jean-Charles Castelletto is the first name on the team-sheet when considering central defenders, the 29-year-old is our best air traffic controller, winning 74% of his aerial duels. On £20k per week, he is the second highest earning defender, with Nicolas Pallois the highest £21.5k, despite the 36 year-old only playing 174 minutes of football.
The veteran defenders contract expires in June, it is safe to say he will not be getting an extension, leading to the club freeing up some monies on the wage budget.
Nicolas Cozza holds the best average rating (7.12), and has filled a duel role operating as the complete wing-back. Nicolas is the main progressor from deep, winning the ball back on regular occasions and immediately looking to move the ball further up the field, whether that be by passing or dribbling. His engine enables him to cover large distances, often getting forward to provide crosses from the by-line.
Unfortunately, Nicolas is only at the club on loan from Wolfsburg, with no option to buy included in his contract. We will attempt to secure his service at the end of the campaign, I am hopeful that we can arrange a deal.
MIDFIELDERS
Pedro Chirivella is our best progressive passer, completing 6.28 progressive passes per match in the role of the Regista. Despite the 26 year-old Spaniard playing the most high risk passes, he also holds the best pass completion out of the quartet, showing technical ability.
Whilst Douglas Augusto provides the most box crashing threat with his average xG per shot of 0.11.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
There are three players which immediately get selected to play the supporting trident to the lone striker, they are Moses Simon, Florent Mollet and Tino Kadewere. A perfect mixture of profiles between them, Moses providing the dynamism, Tino the clinical finisher (30% conversion rate from 23 shots, and Florent the technically adept, hard worker.
Moses is leading the goals assisted stat (6), he is our other main progressor of the ball, this time via the dribble. The winger is not only putting in a significant attacking contribution, he also winning 83% of his tackles, winning 3.25 per game. Simon is also our most fouled player (36), 40% higher than Kader Bamba.
ATTACKERS
Ignatius Ganago is proving to be an effective back-up to Mostafa Mohamed, the 24 year old from Cameroon is effective at creating his own space like the Egyptian. where as Mostafa is more physically imposing, Ignatius offers more in terms of raw pace, and acceleration, providing a different type of threat when leading the line.
FORWARD LOOK
A tough draw will see us host PSG in the Eleventh Round of the Coupe de France, whilst we will also play the Les Parisiens nine days later in Ligue 1. February is a tough month, it could well be the month which will see us succumb to our first defeat at Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau this season.
Looking at the individual stats, Kylian Mbappé isn’t top scorer, nor does he hold the highest rating. Teddy Teumaof 16th placed Stade Reims, leads the assists chart, whilst Philipp Köhn has the most clean sheets
