Is it time for a stroll in the Park?
The south-korean legend should always be in your peripheral vision. Why? Because he's the cheapest midfielder in the Man Utd team (at 4.7 million), who are currently dominating the premier league. Well, except for Obertan. And we ignore him, because he has only 284 league minutes under his belt this season.
As well as being cheap, he plays. Always a priority. Obviously Nani is the undroppable player from the Red Devil's midfield, clocking up 2174 minutes (out of a possible 2790). The next most featured player is Scotland's mighty Darren Fletcher, with 2019 minutes. Ferguson trusts Fletcher, and picks him for all the 'big' games. But he's not renowned for picking up the points. Don't get me wrong, he isn't a 2-point Mascherano, but with just 2 goals and 6 assists, he's nothing compared to Nani (9 goals, 16 assists from just 155 minutes more). Ferguson's other options are Carrick, Giggs, Scholes, Anderson, Valencia or the youth. Carrick has never really impressed since joining from Spurs, though he has recently got a run in the first team, completing 5 games in a row, but scoring just 12 points in those 5 games. He may appeal to Ferguson, but he shouldn't appeal to you. Ryan Giggs... There is no doubting that this man is a legend. He has been playing first team football for one of the greatest teams in the country, if not the world, for 20 years. Clearly, the man has quality. But at the age of 36 he's not going to be playing 90 minutes every week. But when he does, he'll do well. He's definitely an option, but an option that is too risky for my liking. I expect my players to be playing every game, for at least 75 minutes. And I don't feel I can rely on Giggs for that. Which is a shame, because he's good. He's very good. It's a similar story with the other Man Utd stalwart, Paul Scholes. He may never have learnt how to tackle, but on his day he can take on the world. He can score from range and pick out any pass on the pitch. But he doesn't, and won't, play enough for my liking. Anderson i'm sure will be good. But this hasn't been his season, with just 35 points in 804 minutes. Valencia is interesting. Since returning from injury, he has played the full 90 minutes in both games, picking up a bonus point in each, and an assist. 10 points from 2 games is a fine record. Clearly Ferguson likes him, and maybe you should too. But I may wait a little while, as at 7.8 million he requires a little more thought.
In addition, to playing, and being cheap, he's good. 56 points in 838 minutes good. Compare this with other players with similar minutes. Huddlestone has 31 points from 839 minutes, and costs 5.6 million. Blackpool's Matt Phillips has picked up 40 points in 839 minutes, but costs just 4.5 million. Anderson, also from United, costs 5.5 million and as was mentioned earlier, has only picked up 35 points in 804 minutes. If you look at points per game, Park will get 4.7 points per game. This is 12th in the rankings for midfielders, and the cheapest in the top 25 (ignoring Danny Rose who played 45 minutes last season and scored a wondergoal, thus ranking 3rd).
Certainly, if Ferguson chooses to play a five-man midfield (which he often does), you can expect to see Park on the pitch. Often he'll feature in a four-man midfield as well, but with Nani and Valencia on the wings, there is a lot more competition for the central positions. In terms of value for money, it's hard to find a better option than a certain Ji-Sung Park. And with Rooney facing a 2 match ban, it seems probable that Fergie will go 5 men in the middle, and one of them will almost certainly be Park, but beyond those two games? It's far less sure. But the two games are against Fulham at Old Trafford, then over to St James Park to face the Mighty Magpies. They are games I'd expect United to win, and there's nothing to say Park couldn't score a hattrick in each...
The master of science laying down some stats and facts. Loving that. The use of labels is commendable to boot.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of "The Korean Killer" - i'm just not tempted. Valencia has put a major spanner in an already diluted midfield pool. I expect to see plenty of Nani and Valencia on the wings - a situation that sees Park out in the cold. A run in the champs could lend itself to a few Park starts, but with playing time needed for Giggs, Gibo and Scholesy, I just can't see JS getting anywhere near enough mins to earn me points.
I feel like your temptation is probably based on prior (glorious) success!
Very nice inaugural post, liking the stats and the labels as well! What I may suggest to anyone else posting is that they include an image, an opening paragraph and then hit the link to see the rest of the post? Just an idea, works well on other sites.
ReplyDeleteAs for the "Three-Lung Park" - I have been thinking about it and I just don't see the appeal. Valencia on the other hand is an excellent choice but if Nani is the obvious non-dropper, do I want Nani and Valenica in my team.... the answer for me is, no.
My issue is i've got fletcher taking up valuable space and money. So I probably will convert him into my boy Parky. At least for the next 2 or 3 games. Then they play arsenal and chelsea I think...
ReplyDeletetwitter?
ReplyDeletewell, that was a nice anti-arsenal article to kick off your fantbant career. Good stats. I like. Although not all too convincing as besides Nani and Valencia, can't see other Utd midfielders offering good returns.
ReplyDeleteDo you see Fergie going 5 in the middle sans Roon? But who would play up front? Hernandez seems to be ahead of Berbs at the moment, but can he bear the centre forward berth on his own? Thinking, or more so hoping, that Berbs will finally get his deserved 90 mins, and the less Hernandez, the more bone potensh for Berbs.
Anti-Arsenal? How'd you figure?
ReplyDeleteI do see Fergie going for five in the middle. I see it being Nani, Park, Carrick, Giggs, Valencia. Or something like that. Maybe not Giggs. I guess maybe the Gibson. I dunno. But definitely Nani Park and Valencia. Fletcher probably if he's fit.
Has fergie ever played Berba and Hernandez together?
"who are currently dominating the premier league"
ReplyDelete"one of the greatest teams in the country, if not the world"
i suppose just pro-utd, which axiomatically can be considered anti-arsenal. And just that Park has become the scourge of arsenal in recent years.
But Fulham at home? I reckon Nanilencia would be play higher up, and get low crosses in to Berbnandez, as Hangeland is the proverbial rock in that Fulham D. Not sure how they'll counter C-demp and Zamora though. Zamora's looking tasty, especially as Fulham have that DOUBLEWEEK coming in GW 34 with opponents Wolves and Bolton giving lots of goal concession.
Yeah, but the teams with a doubleweek in 34 don't play in 33.
ReplyDeleteI guess I was pro-united, but I think it's justifiable.
Also, I enjoy Nanilencia and Berbnandez. Good words.