Just listened to NTT20's summary of our game on Saturday. Interestingly, almost half of Adam Phillips' shots last season came from outside the box. Of the 32 attempts he had from outside the box, he only scored with 1. Only 28% of his shots so far this season have been outside the box. He's scored with 4 of his 13 shots inside the area, which is a similar rate to last season, but he's having twice as many shots per game. Whether he's been asked to take fewer shots from outside the area, or is just finding himself in better shooting positions, I'm not sure. I get it's early in the season so the sample size isn't the biggest, but the stats suggest he's on for a very prolific season. Similarly, Luca Connell is having almost 3 times as many shots as he did last season. He only had 33 shots last season, he's already taken 14 this season in just 5 games. Unlike Phillips, 10 of his 14 this season have been outside the area, though he's had the same number of shots inside the box than he did in the entirety of last season already. If anything, we're much more attacking this year.
It feels like the handbrake has come off. The performances we're getting out of Cosgrove and Cotter are because we're more willing to play on the front foot and try to create chances in the final third even if it means risking losing possession.
Coincidentally, Cotter's number of shots per game has slightly increased too, though at present, Cosgrove's is significantly lower, albeit still 2.5 per game. Though if he's going to be the focal point for Phillips and DKD to play off, you don't mind that.
I've just finished listening and I liked the Cosgrove stat they referenced. Winning 17 of his 21 Aerial duels on Saturday.
I think the signing of Craig has allowed Connell to play in a much more advanced role and Phillips has been encouraged and given the freedom to get in the box much more then he did under both Duff and definitely Collins. The system seems more fluid and let's hope more successful.
I noticed at Lincoln that Connell was playing like a third striker in the first half, and dropped deep as we tried to cling on to our lead. Also worth considering Cosgroves involvement this season v last. He’s now starting to do what he was brought in for, which is provide an option to get the ball forward earlier, rather than the slow build we saw under Collins.
