NUFC stat man Chris Holt has revealed an incredible statistic to highlight the influence of Jamaal Lascelles, highlighting that Newcastle have NEVER conceded more than 2 when he plays, but have never conceded less than 2 when he’s been absent!
If any stat every showed the importance of the skipper to this NUFC team, this is it.
During his five game absence recently, we conceded 15 times – letting in a worrying average of 3 goals per game without him. Whilst we may have still lost 1-0 against Everton and Arsenal in our last two following his return, he’s helped steady the ship as far as our defensive frailties are concerned:
The @Lascelles16 effect continues.
Never conceded more than 2 when he starts ✔️ Never less than 2 when he hasn't ❌
❌ 2
✔️ 1
✔️ 0
✔️ 0
✔️ 1
✔️ 1
✔️ 1
✔️ 2
✔️ 0
✔️ 1
✔️ 1
❌ 4
❌ 3
❌ 2
❌ 3
❌ 3
✔️ 1
✔️ 1— Chris Holt (@bigchrisholt) December 16, 2017
Jamaal has been praised for his off-field attitude, saying all the right things and his string of match-winning headers earlier in the season, but this shows just how much he gives us from a defensive perspective.
He keeps us organised, alert and leads by example, with his strong and no nonsense displays tending to set the tone for our defensive displays. He’s commanding and communicates – two things Clark and Lejeune didn’t seem to be during their spell together at CB.
Lascelles can only do so much, with goals needed at the other to win games, but if his return can help us regain some much needed solidarity at the back, it gives us a fighting chance of getting back to winning ways – starting with West Ham on Saturday.
