I agree on the eye test. Whether Macca had a pre-season or not I think Curtis is playing better and deserves to start ahead of Mac Allister. Yet at Arsenal he did not. So the question is why does Slot keep picking him if he's lacking in fitness? He's on track to play as many minutes as last season. Is he Slot’s undroppable midfielder?
So, thinking from Slot’s perspective is Mac Allister’s “decline” entirely a decline in performance, or partly a decline in measurable value driven by his role? If OBV captures impact rather than importance, is it possible Mac Allister is now being asked to suppress risk rather than create it? The value may not be disappearing so much as being redistributed — with Szoboszlai and Wirtz the beneficiaries.
Yet he put in a good performance against Arsenal but Slot himself suggested against certain styles the team struggle. To me he's looked jaded and slow in a fair few games. He's also lost three mates over the summer so he could be feeling unsettled. Maybe Arsenal will be a boost but Curtis looks the better all rounder in the same role - but Slot keeps picking Macca.
Great stuff Andrew. OBV seems a good model & is another datapoint that matches the eye test re: underperforming XI from last season, i.e. Mo, Macca & Ibou. Ryan's OBV variance was surprising given his increase in goals though most of them were from low xG value stats.
Peak Macca OBV would likely = elite contributions in passing & shooting (late runs into great areas) vs. CM peers. You're right to point out all of the change in his personal life that likely had an impact. Sadly because he's got such a good "football brain", Macca is the one most likely to move on in the new 1-2 seasons as Ryan, Dom & Curt are younger, bigger & better athletes.
Going into this summer, I felt the club was facing a critical 2-year window to address three key areas: (1) replacing Trent positionally and creatively, (2) replacing Salah’s goals, and (3) replacing Virgil.
The data about the right side is fascinating. To me, it looked like something was taking shape between Bradley and Frimpong that could address the Trent question, which makes the Bradley situation so frustrating. I can only feel for the kid and hope his injury isn’t as serious as we all fear. But even before the injury, the most disappointing aspect of this season has been Mac’s form. He’s exactly the type of player I love: quiet, understated, humble, but deceptively brilliant. Someone who doesn’t immediately catch the eye, but if you invest the time to study him, you understand his value.
I don’t want to speculate on why his form has dropped, but I’m hoping Thursday’s game is a sign he’s rediscovering his mojo.
I’m curious if the midfield’s metrics were significantly better for the Arsenal game? From the eye, it would seem so, minus the final output. This would suggest a team that can produce in bigger games with a tactical focus more aligned with the squads composition and European opponents (remembering the comments made by Inter coach re: our intensity).
Without being certain, I'm pretty sure that technology will exist. Data companies can now monitor body movement (head movements to scan, etc) so logically clubs will employ similar systems to assess how their players move.
I agree on the eye test. Whether Macca had a pre-season or not I think Curtis is playing better and deserves to start ahead of Mac Allister. Yet at Arsenal he did not. So the question is why does Slot keep picking him if he's lacking in fitness? He's on track to play as many minutes as last season. Is he Slot’s undroppable midfielder?
So, thinking from Slot’s perspective is Mac Allister’s “decline” entirely a decline in performance, or partly a decline in measurable value driven by his role? If OBV captures impact rather than importance, is it possible Mac Allister is now being asked to suppress risk rather than create it? The value may not be disappearing so much as being redistributed — with Szoboszlai and Wirtz the beneficiaries.
Yet he put in a good performance against Arsenal but Slot himself suggested against certain styles the team struggle. To me he's looked jaded and slow in a fair few games. He's also lost three mates over the summer so he could be feeling unsettled. Maybe Arsenal will be a boost but Curtis looks the better all rounder in the same role - but Slot keeps picking Macca.
Great stuff Andrew. OBV seems a good model & is another datapoint that matches the eye test re: underperforming XI from last season, i.e. Mo, Macca & Ibou. Ryan's OBV variance was surprising given his increase in goals though most of them were from low xG value stats.
Peak Macca OBV would likely = elite contributions in passing & shooting (late runs into great areas) vs. CM peers. You're right to point out all of the change in his personal life that likely had an impact. Sadly because he's got such a good "football brain", Macca is the one most likely to move on in the new 1-2 seasons as Ryan, Dom & Curt are younger, bigger & better athletes.
Going into this summer, I felt the club was facing a critical 2-year window to address three key areas: (1) replacing Trent positionally and creatively, (2) replacing Salah’s goals, and (3) replacing Virgil.
The data about the right side is fascinating. To me, it looked like something was taking shape between Bradley and Frimpong that could address the Trent question, which makes the Bradley situation so frustrating. I can only feel for the kid and hope his injury isn’t as serious as we all fear. But even before the injury, the most disappointing aspect of this season has been Mac’s form. He’s exactly the type of player I love: quiet, understated, humble, but deceptively brilliant. Someone who doesn’t immediately catch the eye, but if you invest the time to study him, you understand his value.
I don’t want to speculate on why his form has dropped, but I’m hoping Thursday’s game is a sign he’s rediscovering his mojo.
@ Arsenal was the 1st time this season that I didn't think "he's off a 1/2 step"
Definitely. I’d half written this and then he played well! Might have to do one on Konaté next week 😉
Don’t think he’s fit as he missed a lot of pre season or just a big game player now ?
I’m curious if the midfield’s metrics were significantly better for the Arsenal game? From the eye, it would seem so, minus the final output. This would suggest a team that can produce in bigger games with a tactical focus more aligned with the squads composition and European opponents (remembering the comments made by Inter coach re: our intensity).
Without being certain, I'm pretty sure that technology will exist. Data companies can now monitor body movement (head movements to scan, etc) so logically clubs will employ similar systems to assess how their players move.