Jagielka/Heitinga the definitive stats....
Posted by Cardiff Blue on March 14, 2012, 10:02 am
Shameless top of boarding here (sorry Thor) but I needed to see if the obvious notion that Everton defend better, and indeed play better overall, with Heitinga in the team was backed up by stats. So here you go, based on this seasons results...
Firstly, lets look at Evertons record when specific individuals have played at centre back (have not included Heitinga playing in holding midfield..)
With Heitinga at CB
P22 W11 D5 L6 F27 A18
With Distin
P20 W8 D4 L8 F23 A24
With Jagielka
P22 W9 D3 L10 F25 A27
Now lets look at the records in terms of the different partnerships..
Heitinga/Distin
P8 W4 D2 L2 F10 A6
Jags/Heitinga
P10 W5 D1 L4 F12 A9
Jags/Distin
P12 W4 D2 L6 F13 A18
Duffy/Heitinga
P3 W1 D2 L0 F4 A3
Hibbert Heitinga
P1 W1 D0 L0 F1 A0
These stats confirm to me that Heitinga is the best centre back at the club, and also confirm that the queasiness I feel whenever Jags and Distin are paired up against a good team (fully fit or not) is entirely justified.
Heitinga and Distin had conceded 2 goals in the previous 5 games, and Moyes of all people should know that when centre backs start to build an understanding and momentum, that should not be tampered with unless absolutely neccessary.
His dropping of Heitinga last night was a huge mistake, and I hope that he recognises this and returns to the previous partnership until such time that an injury occurs. Jagielka should now have to sit on the bench, wait for an opportunity, and outperform whoever neccessary to get back in. He should not be shooed back in the moment he returns to fitness, which is the scenario I fear will happen.
Geen mobiele telefoon en nog nooit ge-sms't.
Heerlijk tegen de stroom in