THE BATTLE OF THE DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER

Was a thread on here yesterday that developed into a Medel thread. I think I ruffled a few feathers by stating my opinion that he doesnt do anything britton or canas dont - and we picked them both us for nothing. Carl has also had a thread today regarding medels passing stats while I was sort of told to "watch this space" which is what I intend to do with this thread, as it seems a hot topic.

Ill update this after every game, whether the date is positive or negative for my opinion:-

...............................


Jose Canas

Pass accuracy - 91%
Duels won - 63%
Average pass length - 18m
Chances created - 1
Defensive errors - 0
Defensive actions - 6

Leon Britton

Pass accuracy - 93%
Duels won - 86%
Average pass length - 15m
Chances created - 0
Defensive errors - 0
Defensive actions -0

Gary Medel

Pass accuracy 92%
Duels won - 50%
Average pass length - 19m
Chances created - 0
Defensive errors - 0
Defensive actions - 4

They also have colaborated their attacking, defensive, posession and overall performace so far this season and give them points is correlation to their performance, they are as follows.

Jose Canas - 114
Gary Medel - 92
Leon Britton - 77

What about goals conceded? Surely they should as defensive minded players be attributed with such as well.

Whilst being a defensive midfielder for Swansea you have conceded loads of goals which therefore means either Canas sitting in front of your defence is allow his man to run off him and go at the defence or he is not doing his job efficiently enough Roathie.

Defensive errors is a flirting around the issue term as it only applies to errors such as those that Shelvey made and not positional errors.

You've conceded 7 with Canas in defensive midfield we have conceded 6 with Medel in defensive midfield. We have also played tougher teams on average than you have and whilst your thumping at the hands of Manchester United does to some degree skew those figures you have to of course factor them in when talking about defensive minded players as you would factor in assists and goals with attacking minded players.

Come on Roathie, at least admit that. Whilst I think Canas is the better player at the moment I do think Medel is better and will grow into a better player as the season goes on and he gets used to those around him. Canas may do the same but he has the added bonus of being able to communicate in native language with some of his team mates already, something Medel doesn't have and only time will help with that.

I dont think that stat is relevant at all to be honest. The team goals conceded could be nothing to do with them what so ever and often isnt. I dont even think goals conceded is relevant to judging a keeper, far too many variables.

I honestly dont think Medel is better than Canas, thats what this thread is for - we can keep an eye on it.

Good thread.

Sometimes you get lucky and get a free. Sometimes you pay.

Good thread.

Sometimes you get lucky and get a free. Sometimes you pay.

A lot of money though Yank isnt it. Britton and Canas were readily available when we sogned them (less so britton as he wanted to come back here). I just dont understand why Malky would pay so much leaving you short elsewhere (wingers and strikers) and soend it in a position where there are many that can do the same or better job fir a lot less. Its easier to destroy than to create which is why defensive players are cheaper.

This thread isnt me proving any sort of point so hope is doesnt end up in point scoring rubbish. I genuinelly think it will be interesting to see.

I understand its not going to be popular however as people do try and tend to turn players signed for a lot of money into cult heroes but i just ask everyine who contributes to do it subjectively and it should be a decent long running thread.

* i just read back the first post and notice a mixture of touch screen keypad an predictive text has made it a little messy... Im sure everyone can get the jist of it

A lot of money though Yank isnt it. Britton and Canas were readily available when we sogned them (less so britton as he wanted to come back here). I just dont understand why Malky would pay so much leaving you short elsewhere (wingers and strikers) and soend it in a position where there are many that can do the same or better job fir a lot less. Its easier to destroy than to create which is why defensive players are cheaper.

This is what I mean by a good poster when you want to be. Just stick with it. Its not trolling, its truths people cant take. Im glad you agree that we are short on the wings and up front. We do not possess a winger that can put fear in a defender at all and although we have technical minded players from wide positions like Whittingham and Bellamy we do not possess any true quality player (no offence to Noone as unproven at this level) on the wings who can run direct. Sterling would have been a quality loan option.

It makes no sense as surely with Malky's set up we are a defensively minded counter attacking team looking to snatch goals....

Its just the counter attacking part isn't working because hes not brought in the required players to pull it off. It could cost us.

Britton takes the easy pass backward or sideways

Britton takes the easy pass backward or sideways

Bit of a lazy comment that and one that im my opinion lacks understanding of the role in question.

Every time I have seen Medel he does exactly the same, it is the job of the defensive midfielder to retain possession and break up play.

What people need to understand is that a backward pass isnt "the easy option" or "negative". A backward or sideways pass can be far more effective and attacking than than a forward one. The key is to move the opposition out of their rigid formation and then spring an attack when the space is created.

Its more of an attacking move to pass 10 yards out wide to Hernandez to attack the space than to knock it 10 yards forward to Bony who is marked by 4 players who will then lose it more often than not.

Im not using this as a criticism, just a point that a defensive midfielder does not tend to also be a play maker and the majority of passes will be back or sideways. This seems to be brought up when britton is mentioned but not medel, im just bringing some equilibrium to the proceedings.

A quote from the analysis of one of medels performances -

"‘El Pitbull’ had the lowest final third passing percentages, with just 9% of his passes played forwards, Javi Garcia was the only player who played less passes in the final third, with 6%, bear in mind that Garcia played at centre back."

Medel is a lot better than Canas or Britton end of discussion

Medel is a lot better than Canas or Britton end of discussion

Based on what?

This thread will see if thats correct. So far, canas is outperforming him.

You can make stats say wahat you want, I'll use my eyes and experience and he is miles better than those two

Medel is a lot better than Canas or Britton end of discussion

Based on what?

This thread will see if thats correct. So far, canas is outperforming him.

Um Medel has over 50 caps. Canas and Britton have 0

Medel marked messi out of a game have Canas or Britton done that?

Medel has played in the CL has Canas done this cos I know Britton hasn't?

Medel played was a success at his other clubs. Was Canas cos Britton was shit at Sheffield?

And last of all Medel would kick both britton's and Canas arse in a fight.

Not a patch on medel u f*cking idiot

Interesting stats in fairness.

Though Duels won makes me laugh.

MM wanted medel. We had to pay, that's football. He wasn't bought at the expense of wingers or strikers, MM had his targets and won't sign anyone for the sake of it. We missed out on Ince and montero but got a coup in odemwingie. We already had Campbell, Maynard and bought cornelius. Not to mention mason and Rudy (who MM obviously rates more than some!).

Only time will tell how well they all do, but at this stage I wouldn't swap medel for any of the others mentioned and ultimately ill judge it on what I see. Lies, damn lies and statistics!

Medel is a lot better than Canas or Britton end of discussion

Based on what?

This thread will see if thats correct. So far, canas is outperforming him.

Um Medel has over 50 caps. Canas and Britton have 0

Medel marked messi out of a game have Canas or Britton done that?

Medel has played in the CL has Canas done this cos I know Britton hasn't?

Medel played was a success at his other clubs. Was Canas cos Britton was shit at Sheffield?

And last of all Medel would kick both britton's and Canas arse in a fight.

Very selective and questionable stats there. You seem to be basing who is better not on performances but on what the team he played for did.

Shelvey has an international cap, michu doesnt - michu is better. John O'shea has played in the champions league many a better defender havent, both williams and chico for that matter.

Canas was the lynchpin and captain of Betis. Britton is pretty much a one club man.

And yes medel would probably win in a fight. However we are talking about who the better defensive midfielder is which is based on performances, which at the moment is very much in Jose Canas' favour.

Not a patch on medel u f*cking idiot

Why? Because you paid a lot of money for him.... That attitude is kind of what sparked this thread. See through the price tag and so far Canas is better.

If you think Medel will improve then this thread will show that wont it.

Are these stats league games only or do they include the EL? Didn't think Britton had made many starts in the league. IMO if you want to compare, it should be league games only and you should add the number of games or even game minutes to add some context.

Swansea are not the same team when Britton isn't playing , stats or no stats

Swansea are not the same team when Britton isn't playing , stats or no stats

That kind of statement is very true. It's not all about cold, hard stats. It's about how players effect the whole team dynamic. Players will make different decisions according to the faith they have in what's around them. For us, you can't measure the impact Bellamy has had on the team purely in terms of his own stats. Hopefully Whits will flourish with medel in the side, gunner will improve by playing with him. Medels stats won't show that.

Are these stats league games only or do they include the EL? Didn't think Britton had made many starts in the league. IMO if you want to compare, it should be league games only and you should add the number of games or even game minutes to add some context.

Ill check, happy to add games played to it and agree it should only count same level opposition (premier league) . Ill update it after the stats get released from todays games.

Agree waddle, although canas has been an excellent replacement of a player i thought was irreplaceable. Canas' calmness and the way he controls the game is excellent and thats without the 10 years of swansea experience Britton has. Hes going to be immense for us on the showings so far.

Swansea are not the same team when Britton isn't playing , stats or no stats

And there we have it ladies and gentlemen.


Yet according to these "stats" Canas is outperforming him

Swansea are not the same team when Britton isn't playing , stats or no stats

And there we have it ladies and gentlemen.


Yet according to these "stats" Canas is outperforming him

So one persons opinion puts an end to it?

Britton plays in a slightly different way to Canas. There is a lot of trust and flow when Britton plays, hes been here for 10 years and knows our system, but that doesnt mean hes playing better.

As the stats show Canas is.

Yes Id trust the opinion of Waddle, someone who actually attends the games and is not a WUM over some internet loon basing performance soley on the stats of one particular stat site.

There are hundreds of stat sites out there and they contradict each other.

Conveniently left out Aron Gunnarsson again I see who was top of those silly statistics on that site!

Conveniently left out Aron Gunnarsson again I see who was top of those silly statistics on that site!

He also lied about Canas being the Real Betis captain.

Loves a lie when trying to qualify his point does Roathie.

Yes Id trust the opinion of Waddle, someone who actually attends the games and is not a WUM over some internet loon basing performance soley on the stats of one particular stat site.

There are hundreds of stat sites out there and they contradict each other.

So you have gone back to being offensive then?

If im winding you up by showing some stats then this isnt the site for you Polo. Dont click it if it offends you. As for attending matches, thats such a Kop out. Every single Swansea match is televised over here

Which sites gives a differing stats then, ill take an average

Conveniently left out Aron Gunnarsson again I see who was top of those silly statistics on that site!

He also lied about Canas being the Real Betis captain.

Loves a lie when trying to qualify his point does Roathie.

i didnt lie, i was under the impression he was.

You seem hell bent on being a bit of an arse here polo. Maybe this thread isnt for you, you just judge players on how many caps they have.

***edit - captain Canas signs 12 decided to stay on at Betis.

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague ... 11111.html

http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/70 ... captaincy/


Newly-named Real Betis captain Nacho has claimed that he is honoured at being chosen for the role by his teammates earlier this week.

The 33-year-old takes over the role from Jose Canas who departed for the Premier League and Swansea City over the summer, and has revealed that he is proud to captain such a prestigious side.