Thread by @Unity_MoT

I've tracked down some advanced GK stats which offer some interesting insights into both the performance of our keepers this season and the difference that Carlos Corberan has made since taking over from Steve Bruce.

We're looking at Championship games here, so before... #wba

...last night, Button (DB) played all his games under Bruce while Palmer (AP) played 1 game under Bruce, 3 for caretaker manager Richard Beale and the rest under Corberan.

On the basics, goals conceded per 90 mins and save percentage, AP has a very clear lead over DB. ... #wba

...AP has conceded just 0.76 goals per 90 mins and saved 78.9% of the shots on target he's faced whille DB has conceded 1.46 goals per 90 mins with just a 52.2% save percentage.

So all the criticism levelled at DB is justified by the numbers, yes?

Maybe not.

If we dig... #wba

...deeper then a somewhat different picture emerges.

Let's start with Post Shot xG (PSxG), which is the opposition's XG stat for the shots they get on target.

For AP this is 0.78 compared to 0.97 for DB, so under Steve Bruce we were allowing opponents to create better... #wba

...scoring opportunities than we have under under Corberan.

A key reason for this becomes clear when we look at the stats for crosses where DB has faced 7.92 crosses per 90 mins compared to APs 14.6 crosses. That's not far off double the number of crosses and a very clear...

...sign that we've tightened things up defensively down the spine of the team under CC and are doing a much better job of forcing opponents to attack from wide positions rather than play through the midfield.

That's the Yokuslu/Molumby partnership doing its job very... #wba

...effecttively by screening the keeper from clear shots at goal from central areas.

Another interesting difference lies in the OPA stat for defensive actions outside the penalty area, where DB not only averaged 1.75 per 90 min compared to just 1.06 for AP but also.... #wba

...carried out actions further from goal - 20.8m on average for DB, just 14.2 for AP.

So, under Bruce, we played a higher line and left our keeper, DB, much more exposed.

This is all reflected in a stat called PSxG/SoT which takes into account the actual quality of the... #wba

...shots that a keeper has faced and how difficult those shots were to save.

Before last night's game, DB's PSxG/SoT was 0.32 and joint third higherst of any Championship keeper this season. OTOH, AP's is currently 0.23 and the lowest in the division.

Now there are a... #wba

...couple of things that could explain that stat and the difference between AP & DB.

One would be a difference in quality of the strikers they've faced, but looking at the opponents that DB and AP have faced there's nothing that really stands out in that area as it would... #wba

...in the PL if one keeper had copped the games against Haaland, Salah and Kane and the other hadn't.

The other explanation is defensive and its about positioning, and getting pressure on the ball in defensive areas, and making opposing strikers rush their chances, and... #wba

...all the other little details that make opposing strikers' lives much harder and your own keeper's life much easier.

Has DB underperformed compared to AP?

Yes, but then AP has had the benefit of a well drilled, settled defence that's been getting the details right.... #wba

...and a fully fit Yokuslu patrolling the area in front of the defence and forcing opponents to play from wide areas and, in having the benefit of all that, AP has only performed as expected in conceding 13 goals from a 13.2 PSxG despite having easier saves to make... #wba

...overall.

If there's a message in the detailed stats it's that we shouldn't judge Button based on the shitshow that was the Steve Bruce era but get behind him over the next few weeks and see how he does with Corberan's much improved defensive set up in front of him.

#wba

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