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[Block21]

Block21 said:
10 games. 0 goals. 2 assists from corners.
He's not good enough. Time to be dropped Finn.

Block21 said:
Sadly not to some. Including our manager.


Thankfully... I dont think our manager ever agreed with you. You completely wrote him off as not good enough.

Maybe his shooting has improved or picking up better positions to shoot but his general play is exactly the same and has been all season.

Ah so you're going back to my old opinion that I have said was wrong myself and not the point I'm trying to make where I have recently said he's improved since Sheff U game. I clearly never meant he agreed with my first post in this thread but you knew that

 

[Block21]

Block21 said:
10 games. 0 goals. 2 assists from corners.
He's not good enough. Time to be dropped Finn.

Block21 said:
Sadly not to some. Including our manager.


Thankfully... I dont think our manager ever agreed with you. You completely wrote him off as not good enough.

Maybe his shooting has improved or picking up better positions to shoot but his general play is exactly the same and has been all season.

Oh and by the way you get things wrong too. Look no further than Hackney

 

[Laughing]

I did a bit of digging on the assertion that he has improved. It's largely being said he is a bit quicker, not slowing us down so much. Not really measurable metrics. I looked at xG, xA and goals assits on a game by game basis I did indicate the sheffield united game as Block mentions that. Not to support nor deny Blocks opinion, just that he mentioned this as a point in time where Azaz improved. This is what it looks like:

	matchday	xG	xA	Goals	Assists
	1	0.35	0.09	0	0
	2	0.15	0.07	0	0
	3	0.52	0.57	0	1
	4	0.27	0.24	0	1
	5	0	0.12	0	0
	6	0.11	0.08	0	0
	7	0.33	0.41	0	0
	8	0.18	0.1	0	0
	9	0.1	0.17	0	0
	10	0.08	0.21	0	0
Sheffield United	11	0	0.31	0	1
	12	1.12	0.07	1	0
	13	0	0.07	0	0
	14	0.28	0.35	0	1
	15	0.33	0.05	2	1
Average xA before Sheff Utd			0.206
Average xA since sheff utd			0.17

Seems Azaz has regressed since sheff united, get rid, the lads a lazy fraud! On a more serious note. He really should have got on the score sheet earlier than he did. Improvement or par for the course? Dunno. I could go back and pull out the xGOT for each game to see if his shooting has got any better, but should probably be working.

We should probably leave Block alone. I suspect his initial post about Carrick agreeing with him was tongue in cheek rather than a serious comment. It's a bit bullyish, in my opinion. You can always attack my geekiness if you like.

 

[Block21]

I did a bit of digging on the assertion that he has improved. It's largely being said he is a bit quicker, not slowing us down so much. Not really measurable metrics. I looked at xG, xA and goals assits on a game by game basis I did indicate the sheffield united game as Block mentions that. Not to support nor deny Blocks opinion, just that he mentioned this as a point in time where Azaz improved. This is what it looks like:

	matchday	xG	xA	Goals	Assists
	1	0.35	0.09	0	0
	2	0.15	0.07	0	0
	3	0.52	0.57	0	1
	4	0.27	0.24	0	1
	5	0	0.12	0	0
	6	0.11	0.08	0	0
	7	0.33	0.41	0	0
	8	0.18	0.1	0	0
	9	0.1	0.17	0	0
	10	0.08	0.21	0	0
Sheffield United	11	0	0.31	0	1
	12	1.12	0.07	1	0
	13	0	0.07	0	0
	14	0.28	0.35	0	1
	15	0.33	0.05	2	1
Average xA before Sheff Utd			0.206
Average xA since sheff utd			0.17

Seems Azaz has regressed since sheff united, get rid, the lads a lazy fraud! On a more serious note. He really should have got on the score sheet earlier than he did. Improvement or par for the course? Dunno. I could go back and pull out the xGOT for each game to see if his shooting has got any better, but should probably be working.

We should probably leave Block alone. I suspect his initial post about Carrick agreeing with him was tongue in cheek rather than a serious comment. It's a bit bullyish, in my opinion. You can always attack my geekiness if you like.

This might surprise you, but I don't judge a footballer on their expected average assist per game.

 

[Humpty]

His creativity has always been there but his decision making is more improved and his general play is quicker and with confidence he looks stronger. The improvement is huge.

I just don't think this is true at all.

 

[theredrooster]

Block21 said:
10 games. 0 goals. 2 assists from corners.
He's not good enough. Time to be dropped Finn.

Block21 said:
Sadly not to some. Including our manager.


Thankfully... I dont think our manager ever agreed with you. You completely wrote him off as not good enough.

Maybe his shooting has improved or picking up better positions to shoot but his general play is exactly the same and has been all season.

I would disagree, it's not just his shooting that's improved it's his speed of thought/decision making.

Earlier on in the season even though he was still creating the odd chance (that we were missing), he was also wasting good opportunities with powder puff shots from decent areas. Whilst he was also causing other promising attacks to end by dwelling on the ball so he was either dispossessed or the promising attacking passes that had been 'on' were blocked off as his delay in moving the ball quickly enough caused our attacking options to be shut down and we'd have to recycle possession and start again.

Recently he's starting getting the ball out from under his feet more quickly and is moving it on swiftly and picking the right options. You can see his confidence has gone up a notch or two and that has elevated his game. I don't think anyone was saying he was useless earlier in the season, just that he needed to improve in certain areas as he was a hugely frustrating player.

He still needs to work on that upper body strength and protecting the ball, but his attacking play is great at the moment, let's all hope this current form continues as it's great news for all Boro fans.

 

[Block21]

I just don't think this is true at all.

You don't think he looks stronger? You don't think he is performing better? You don't think he is linking better with Doak and McGree than he did with Jones? I also think he looks quicker with decision making and not taking too many touches allowing players to get back. The reason for this for me is confidence.

 

[Block21]

I would disagree, it's not just his shooting that's improved it's his speed of thought/decision making.

Earlier on in the season even though he was still creating the odd chance (that we were missing), he was also wasting good opportunities with powder puff shots from decent areas. Whilst he was also causing other promising attacks to end by dwelling on the ball so he was either dispossessed or the promising attacking passes that had been 'on' were blocked off as his delay in moving the ball quickly enough caused our attacking options to be shut down and we'd have to recycle possession and start again.

Recently he's starting getting the ball out from under his feet more quickly and is moving it on swiftly and picking the right options. You can see his confidence has gone up a notch or two and that has elevated his game. I don't think anyone was saying he was useless earlier in the season, just that he needed to improve in certain areas as he was a hugely frustrating player.

He still needs to work on that upper body strength and protecting the ball, but his attacking play is great at the moment, let's all hope this current form continues as it's great news for all Boro fans.

Now this is what I would call spot on.

 

[festa5]

I suspect his general level by most measures (laughing's stats seem to confirm this) has been pretty consistent, been doing lots of things right. The big difference is confidence.

Fine lines and all that, but it seems to make a big difference to pro athletes, just more things coming off for them. He believes they'll come off now. Same for Lath. Probably tiny margins but can make such a big impact.

"just needs one to go in off his backside". It gets said because as far as forwards are concerned it's often true.

 

[Laughing]

I would disagree, it's not just his shooting that's improved it's his speed of thought/decision making.

Earlier on in the season even though he was still creating the odd chance (that we were missing), he was also wasting good opportunities with powder puff shots from decent areas. Whilst he was also causing other promising attacks to end by dwelling on the ball so he was either dispossessed or the promising attacking passes that had been 'on' were blocked off as his delay in moving the ball quickly enough caused our attacking options to be shut down and we'd have to recycle possession and start again.

Recently he's starting getting the ball out from under his feet more quickly and is moving it on swiftly and picking the right options. You can see his confidence has gone up a notch or two and that has elevated his game. I don't think anyone was saying he was useless earlier in the season, just that he needed to improve in certain areas as he was a hugely frustrating player.

He still needs to work on that upper body strength and protecting the ball, but his attacking play is great at the moment, let's all hope this current form continues as it's great news for all Boro fans.

I can include dispossessed stats for you too, however I can tell you he isn't being dispossessed any more or less frequently than he was at the begining of the season.

The only metric that anyone can point to to suggest he has improved is he has scored a couple of goals. That really is it. Not dismissing stats can't tell you everything, they are the only objective metric we have though.

 

[Laughing]

I suspect his general level by most measures (laughing's stats seem to confirm this) has been pretty consistent, been doing lots of things right. The big difference is confidence.

Fine lines and all that, but it seems to make a big difference to pro athletes, just more things coming off for them. He believes they'll come off now. Same for Lath. Probably tiny margins but can make such a big impact.

"just needs one to go in off his backside". It gets said because as far as forwards are concerned it's often true.

I do agree that confidence, particularly when finishing is a big thing for most players, even five-a-side with your mates your confidence can make a difference.

 

[Marvanelli]

I don't think Azaz has improved overall that much these last few games. Just that our finishing has improved (could even say his included).

Azaz has been right up there, all season, as one of the most creative players in the league.

Just the last few weeks, it's shown more so, because shots have been going in the net, and not wide.

Variance giveth, variance taketh away.

 

[TheWolfman]

I would disagree, it's not just his shooting that's improved it's his speed of thought/decision making.

Earlier on in the season even though he was still creating the odd chance (that we were missing), he was also wasting good opportunities with powder puff shots from decent areas. Whilst he was also causing other promising attacks to end by dwelling on the ball so he was either dispossessed or the promising attacking passes that had been 'on' were blocked off as his delay in moving the ball quickly enough caused our attacking options to be shut down and we'd have to recycle possession and start again.

Recently he's starting getting the ball out from under his feet more quickly and is moving it on swiftly and picking the right options. You can see his confidence has gone up a notch or two and that has elevated his game. I don't think anyone was saying he was useless earlier in the season, just that he needed to improve in certain areas as he was a hugely frustrating player.

He still needs to work on that upper body strength and protecting the ball, but his attacking play is great at the moment, let's all hope this current form continues as it's great news for all Boro fans.

I disagree.

Ben Doak is a massive difference for Azaz, he stretches teams and makes more space for others. We also attack more quickly on the counter which gives Azaz more space to work in and more space to pass into. I would say Mcgree, Lath, Conway and Doak are the difference

 

[Block21]

He links brilliantly with Doak.

 

[Laughing]

You don't think he looks stronger? You don't think he is performing better? You don't think he is linking better with Doak and McGree than he did with Jones? I also think he looks quicker with decision making and not taking too many touches allowing players to get back. The reason for this for me is confidence.

Thing is block, if it was as simple as you seem to make out then he would be creating more chances, surely? He isn't his level of consistency is, to be frank, astounding. He has failed to create a decent chance in only 2 games this season, one of which he was subbed after 20 odd minutes.

I do think the quality/form of players around him makes a difference to him. Having mcgree back is probably a massive help for him. Doesn't necessarily make Azaz any better, just means its more obvious because the chances are being finished.

Ultimately it's a team game and the more players we have contributing the more succesful we will be, as a team.

 

[Humpty]

You don't think he looks stronger? You don't think he is performing better? You don't think he is linking better with Doak and McGree than he did with Jones? I also think he looks quicker with decision making and not taking too many touches allowing players to get back. The reason for this for me is confidence.

I think the team is functioning much better as a whole. This provides a more tangible output. Azaz has been playing very much the same way all season with the exception of the odd game here and there.

 

[Block21]

I don't think Azaz has improved that much these last few games. Just that our finishing has improved (his included).

Azaz has been right up there, all season, as one of the most creative players in the league.

Just the last few weeks, it's shown more so, because shots have been going in the net, and not wide.

Variance giveth, variance taketh away.

Whichever side of the fence you sit on ( whether you think he's improved big time like myself and some others I really don't think it's crime of the century to suggest one of our players in our eyes is improving and playing very well. I find it amazing it is being called out. It's just an honest opinion.

 

[Marvanelli]

It's just an honest opinion.

And there's nothing wrong in that

 

[theredrooster]

I disagree.

Ben Doak is a massive difference for Azaz, he stretches teams and makes more space for others. We also attack more quickly on the counter which gives Azaz more space to work in and more space to pass into. I would say Mcgree, Lath, Conway and Doak are the difference

Agree with all of that in that it does stretch the play and allows him more space (I also think with McGree in the side he gets the ball moving more quickly), but I still thik the other points I raised are relevant

 

[Block21]

Thing is block, if it was as simple as you seem to make out then he would be creating more chances, surely? He isn't his level of consistency is, to be frank, astounding. He has failed to create a decent chance in only 2 games this season, one of which he was subbed after 20 odd minutes.

I do think the quality/form of players around him makes a difference to him. Having mcgree back is probably a massive help for him. Doesn't necessarily make Azaz any better, just means its more obvious because the chances are being finished.

Ultimately it's a team game and the more players we have contributing the more succesful we will be, as a team.

The problem is, you are really only interested in the chances he creates. I am not, of course I want him to create chances but players like him always will do because that's what he is. Creative.

I wanted him to link better with team mates, be stronger on the ball, and be quicker with decision making. These are the things I am saying he has improved on. I was well aware he was playing at least one killer ball per game. And now he is getting his rewards with assists and goals too so we are all happy but for me the biggest thing I am actually happy about is his improvement in general play.