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Wolves Defensive Analysis
Pressing high up the pitch & defending in a high block has become very much a trend in modern football & many teams have had great success implementing this style. Wolves, on the other hand have been going against the trend & continue to rely
Wolves Defensive Analysis
Pressing high up the pitch & defending in a high block has become very much a trend in modern football & many teams have had great success implementing this style. Wolves, on the other hand have been going against the trend & continue to rely
on their low block to supply them with defensive solidarity. In addition, they´re one of the few teams in the Premier League who exclusively play a system utilising a back 3. I wanted to have a look at what makes them successful with their style as opposed to the trend.
So far this season, Wolves have conceded just 8 goals in their first 7 matches, good for the 2nd fewest allowed in the league. Wolves also have the most clean sheets so far this season with a total of 4. Their xGA of 9.3 is just 10th lowest in the league, however they are
outperforming their xGA by 1.3, which is the 3rd highest in the league. Though it should be noted they have conceded fewer goals than the 2 other teams above them. Here comes a few key pieces of data which I feel highlights their tendency to defend in a low block,
as well as their ability to defend with discipline & stay compact as well as hold their team shape.
PPDA: 23.37 (20th)
Wolves PPDA is dead last in the Premier League so far this season. This means they are allowing the opposition to maintain possession with relatively low pressure on the ball carrier.
Wolves PPDA is dead last in the Premier League so far this season. This means they are allowing the opposition to maintain possession with relatively low pressure on the ball carrier.
Challenge Intensity: 5.4 (15th)
A challenge intensity of 5.4 also demonstrates their lack of pressure on the ball carrier. This works well for them as again, they do well to keep tight spaces between their lines as well as close proximity within their lines.
A challenge intensity of 5.4 also demonstrates their lack of pressure on the ball carrier. This works well for them as again, they do well to keep tight spaces between their lines as well as close proximity within their lines.
Possessions Won Final 3rd: 17 (18th)
Wolves do not explicitly play in a low block out of possession. They often do start to defend in a high or mid block but can quickly transition to a low block if their first line of pressure is beaten. They can vary this pressure from a
Wolves do not explicitly play in a low block out of possession. They often do start to defend in a high or mid block but can quickly transition to a low block if their first line of pressure is beaten. They can vary this pressure from a
3-5-2 shape or a 3-4-3 shape as well. This before dropping their wingbacks down to form a back 5. They have 17 possession wins in the final third, which is very low compared to the top performing clubs however, with Liverpool at the top with 47.
Pressures In Attacking 3rd: 123 (20th)
Again, the data is showing us what we see from Wolves from week to week. They simply do not apply much pressure high up the pitch, & are much more comfortable when they are organized as a team in their own half.
Again, the data is showing us what we see from Wolves from week to week. They simply do not apply much pressure high up the pitch, & are much more comfortable when they are organized as a team in their own half.
1 area where Wolves excel in their low block, is the quality & precision in their tackling. While they do lack tackle attempts further up the pitch, once they do go in for a challenge they have a fairly high success rate, & do well to win the ball in their own defensive 3rd.
Here we can see when defending in their own defensive 3rd, they are extremely efficient in winning the ball back via tackling.
Of the 8 goals Wolves have conceded this season in League play. I would classify only 2 of them as when they were defending in an established low block. The rest have been set pieces or counter attacks. Below are both of those goals:
vs Man. City
While they look relatively compact in this first image. The space left behind the Boly in their uneven backline allows for KDB to slip a pass in behind. On top of this, Neto simply does not track the late run of Foden into the box which allows for him to find space.
While they look relatively compact in this first image. The space left behind the Boly in their uneven backline allows for KDB to slip a pass in behind. On top of this, Neto simply does not track the late run of Foden into the box which allows for him to find space.
vs West Ham
93rd min., already down 3. Poor pressure on the crosser & Haller is allowed to come into the box with relatively little cover up until it is too late at the point of his attempted header. Poor defending under poor circumstances. Lack of concentration.
93rd min., already down 3. Poor pressure on the crosser & Haller is allowed to come into the box with relatively little cover up until it is too late at the point of his attempted header. Poor defending under poor circumstances. Lack of concentration.
Though this analysis lacks a relative amount of depth, I was most intrigued at how they have started the season so well defensively. It is cleat they prefer a more traditional low block defensive setup. I also am fascinated by their loyalty to their system & a back 3.
While I don´t have the statistics to back this up, I can not remember them playing anything but a back 3 over the past few years.
@wolvesblog @WolvesAnalytics @WWFCFancast @WolvesTalk @WeAreWolvesFans @WolvesFirst @WolvesFC_latest
@wolvesblog @WolvesAnalytics @WWFCFancast @WolvesTalk @WeAreWolvesFans @WolvesFirst @WolvesFC_latest
