John Walker Football Analytics

Sébastien Pocognoli: Style of Play

A look into Scotland's New Manager's "Style of Play" from his time at USG & Monaco.

Variety of formations but seems to favour a Back-3 with a very fluid midfield but principles of play remain the same & it's all about dominating with or without the ball:
> Play Forward First
> Break Lines Aggressively
> Direct and Second Balls
> High Numbers in the Attacking Line
> Counter-Pressing
> High-Block into High-Pressing (4-3-1-2)
> Transition in Same High Numbers

Now, dominating with the ball can mean different things, his side were very flexible and didn't "Overplay" in Possession and was happy to go quite direct:
> 9th Highest Possession
> 11th Accurate Passers
> 4th Shots at Goal

A very good Set-Play side during his time at USG, 15 of his 71 League Goals were from this.

Main concerns of his "Style of Play" is how quickly his side can be transitioned against and be quite open building from their own defence:
> Big Gaps Between CB to CF
> Playing Direct to WB Resulting in Counters
> High Opp. Numbers in Transition

At Monaco, he had times where he did play a Back-4 and is clearly a flexible coach that can adapt to players & that is another exciting green flag for the new manager.

Welcome to Scotland, Sebastian Pocognoli 🤝

Showcase Video Work Available

If you have footage of your son/daughter that plays football at any level, or access to full games and would a CV/Showcase Video pulled together, get in touch to discuss.

This video could be used simply to create a highlight video as a present or it can be used to send to other teams if searching for a club.

Here is an example of what it could look like 👇

Fernandez - Don't Drop Him, Develop Him 📈

I see a lot of comments around Fernandez, lazy ones, "he's lazy", "head turned" & "disinterested" but he consistently covers top distances, ridiculous high-speed sprint numbers for a CB & has also jumped National League to European Football in 2.5yrs.

The penalty yesterday, in my opinion, comes from a clear man for man philosophy when defending:
> Dealing with a 3v2
> Doesn't Address Ball-Side Danger (Stays with Phillips)
> Sterling Does the Same
> Narrows and Engages Too Late

Exact same error Sterling made for me v Dundee Utd or McCrorie makes v Jagiellonia & it has to be the approach to follow man instead of space.

That is totally fine, but what is meant to happen when a player is breached, when do players adjust & what is expected then?!

Manny Fernandez has the potential to be a goldmine record-sale for Rangers but it needs to be intense development and coaching to ensure he doesn't drop levels and keeps the confidence up.

Rangers Press: Man for Man Risk

It is really difficult to instruct players to go man for man, in my opinion, when you play a well-coached team.

Rangers kept launching into a press from no structure:
> Open to Central Passes
> Players 10-Yards Off the Next Press
> Gambling Wrong-side & Allowing Teams Forward

Then there is also a lack of reading the moments & in 2nd Half for me, it's wild.

Seen it in the stadium at the time, Shankland was telling Raskin to stay in CM:
> Raskin Jumps 15 Yards
> Shankland Retreats 30 Yards
> Opp. LB Going Nowhere

Shankland tries to communicate something but I am unsure to who but a lot of wasted energy in these moments in and already energy sapping game which we were winning...

Rangers: 121/Unit Analysis Example

Same disclaimers, this isn't "having a go" or "singling out" players, just simply an example of the type of Performance Analysis I do with International Footballers.

If I was reviewing the Midfield Unit at Rangers today and having 121/Unit meetings with the 4 CM's this is where I'd be focussed.

Playing Forward
It is far too lazy just to show examples and go, we didn't get the ball forward or we didn't get Aasgaard into the game. You need to go deeper:
> How Do We Get Aasgaard on the Ball?
> Can Midfielders Adjust to Play Forward?
> What Adjustments Would Help?
> Show Video Scenarios & Discuss

In all of these clips, it's so vital on the little adjustments:
> Constantly Scanning for the Space
> Adjusting to the Opposition
> Body-Shape When Receiving
> Knowing the Next Pass

I don't believe Rangers do any of this on a 121 Level or Unit Level just now but it is an absolute necessity game to game to help develop individuals and a team.

No Rangers players are my clients, work with me, or have ever worked with myself 👌

Manny & Makhanya: Brave Building Out

Yesterday, I felt both CB's were really brave in building out from the back and most of the attacks were as a result of their play.

Manny Fernandez with the ball is exceptional:
> Delays to Provoke Pressure
> Brave Breaking Lines under Pressure
> Takes Responsibility at All Times
> Created 2 of the Best Chances in the Game

Also thought Makhanya grew into a decent performance.

We can argue defensively on Manny, I think he can definitely develop and improve but I also believe he wants to & understand's why he delays play.

As for the laziness recovery stuff, he covers ridiculous High-Sprint Distances for a CB per 90, especially for a Rangers defender.

More players with his Game-Understanding and Midfielders to demand the ball off of him then Rangers will be in a much better place.

Rangers Midfield: Progressing Play

Disclaimer in the video, I am not "picking on" the players involved, I am giving my Analysis of, in my opinion, what I expect of Midfielders.

In most of these clips, it is alarming how often:
> Forward Pass is Missed
> No Scanning to Approach the Play
> Poor Body Shape & Distancing to Play Forward

Then the end clip in the 50th minute, around Rest-Defence, is just another red flag of lack of discipline either in the structure or players.

I watch Manny Fernandez closely, shouting at people to "not go" and leave Rangers in 3v2 counter attacks without a midfield in front of them.

You can't be refusing forward passes, lack structure & be successful in the long run.

Chris Condy ⚽️v PSG U19s

The Scotland U17 Striker recently left Rangers for Brighton and grabbed a goal against PSG U19s.

A typically composed Condy finish for those that have watched him score for fun at Rangers 17/19's last season and work his way into the Scotland Set-Up.

One To Watch 📈