Some stats about Denilson + Carling Cup Preview
53 comments December 2nd, 2008
I’ve criticised Denilson’s performances on several occasions this season, but have always tried to mitigate that with the assertion that it is not his fault that he is being exposed to regular first-team football before he is ready.
That said, as I flicked through some statistics from the season so far, a different picture began to emerge. So far he has:
What the statistics make clear is that this is an industrious, efficient player who whilst not yet ‘World Class’ is doing remarkably well for a twenty year-old who was little more than a fringe member of the squad last season. I’ve read some calls for Denilson to be sold, but the figures above make a nonsense of such suggestions. What Denilson needs is a quality, experienced player to challenge him and force him to improve. When the Brazilian meets the required level, he would then take his place in the side. It’s common sense, and we can only hope that Arsene sees that now. Flamini had to surpass Gilberto to get his place in the side: Denilson ought to have to leap a similar hurdle to truly earn his first-team place.
Tonight sees our fantastic Carling Cup side travel to Burnley in the competition’s Quarter-Final. The team should be extremely similar to the previous two rounds, though Mikael Silvestre will start at centre-back after being left out at the weekend (just our luck for Djourou and Gallas to both pick up knocks in the Chelsea game, eh?).
Ahead of the game Aaron Ramsey, who certainly doesn’t lack confidence, has compared himself to Steven Gerrard – as long as his hairline doesn’t get as freakishly low as Gerrard’s (I am convinced that one day it will meet his eyebrows and his forehead will become redundant), then that’ll do just fine. Ramsey’s Carling Cup midfield partner, Mark Randall, is a doubt, so we may see a debut for Amaury Bischoff.
Under Owen Coyle, Burnley have moved on from being long-ball merchants to develop an attractive passing game, married to the aerial power of Ade Akinbiyi, who has troubled us in past cup encounters. Let’s not forget, this is a side who went to Stamford Bridge and knocked out Chelsea. That said, their manager is showing our youngsters plenty of respect:
“I watched their games against Sheffield United and Wigan – at one point I thought about turning it off because I couldn’t bear it any more. They are the yardstick for everyone who is aspiring to play a passing game.
“Four or five of that team will reach the very highest level. I am not talking about good international players, I mean beyond that. Ramsey is unbelievable. At 16, the world is Wilshere’s oyster.
“The maturity they show is way beyond their years. I played with people for 15 years who were still not experienced in the game. These kids have that. The relationship they have with one another in terms of interchange of passing and movement is exceptional.”
High praise indeed. I just hope we live up to our billing.
Gunnerblog has been nominated for Best Football Blog Community of 2008 by Soccerlens, which is nice of them. Feel free to vote, – as it’s a “Community” award it’s far more about you than about me, so thanks.
I have a feeling tonight could be a really good game. Let’s hope the kids get the result and see us through to the semis.
