With most fans making it known they wanted a left back signed in January and the club seemingly trying to sign one, it would not do any harm to have a look in detail at our full back’s performance stats.
It is generally accepted that Daryl Janmaat is Newcastle United’s most accomplished full back, so he sets the bar in terms of fans’ expectations from the rest of out wide defenders. At 26-years-old, Janmaat has a bit more experience than Paul Dummett (24) and Massaido Haidara, who is still 23. However, neither of our full backs can claim to be ‘kids’ anymore and now is the time in their careers that they should be asserting themselves as Premier League level performers.
I have devised a little system whereby we look at each player’s performance stats and award the winner of each discipline 10 points with 2nd place getting 5 points. For every assist each players has, they gain 10 points. The same goes for every goal scored. However, for every mistake made that cost the Toon a goal, the players loses 10 points.
Unfortunately both Dummett and Haidara have had their injury problems this season and have missed games. Dummett has only featured in 15 games compared to Janmaat’s 24 and Haidara’s 7. In order to get a clearer understanding of each player’s respective stats over a set amount of time, I will need to include Haidara’s 15 games from last season, which brings him up to 22 overall. For Dummett, I will simply multiply his stats by a half, which brings him up to 22.5 games – both those numbers are comparable to Janmaat’s 24 then… However because Dummett and Haidara have failed to turn out as often as Janmaat, the latter begins with +10 points for reliability.
So first up is chances created. This is key passes that lead to a goal scoring opportunity. Janmaat runs away with this one with 19, which is more than the combined scores of Dummett (6) and Haidara (10). Whilst we are on the subject lets look at assists. As expected the attack minded Dutch International takes first place with 3, giving him a total of 50 points. Next up is the Frenchman with one for a total of 10 points and bringing up the rear is our Welsh full back with zero, leaving him still searching for his first points. Staying with attack stats, both Janmaat and Dummett have a goal each, whilst Haidara has none. So what about testing the opposition ‘keeper? Again Janmaat leads the way with 6 shots on target compared to the other two’s one each. On top of that, Janmaat is by far the most efficient of the 3 when taking shots – with 75% accuracy compared to 25% for Dummett and 16% for Haidara. 20 more points to Daryl.
In terms of taking the opposition on, Paul Dummett lags far behind the other two with only 9 successes. Massaido Haidara gets himself 5 points with 22. Janmaat (30) runs away with this one. So how many successful passes have our players made? Bringing up the rear is Haidara with 525. Dummett nets himself 5 points with 550 and Janmaat takes the victory again by some margin with 700.
You will be pleased to know that from near on a combined 75 games, our 3 full backs have only cost us 1 goal from a blatant defensive error. That honor goes to Paul Dummett, who loses 10 points as a consequence. So how about defensive actions such as interceptions, blocks and clearances that if not had been made would have likely cost us a goal? This is where Janmaat finally comes unstuck with only 5 to his name. Dummett gains 5 points with 9, whilst Haidara takes the day with 12.
In terms of fouls committed, Dummett gains 10 points with only 18. The other two have committed 21 each. Who is our best tackler then? Well in terms of successful tackles, Dummett takes top spot again with 52. Janmaat is not far behind with 48 but Haidara is seriously lacking with only 31. Finally, we look at successful headers. Again, Dummett is top dog by some margin with 45. Haidara takes 5 points with 25 whilst Janmaat brings up the rear with 21.
According to the above system, our best overall full back is Daryl Janmaat by a Country Mile – with 105 points. In second place is Paul Dummett with 50 points despite being deducted points for directly costing Newcastle a goal. Massaido Haidara is found wanting with 40 points.
Observations would be that whilst Janmaat is known for his forward play, his defensive play is not bad either. He puts in his fare share of successful tackles but what really lets him down is his strength in the air. Defensively Dummett is the better of the three, with more tackles and headers. That said he is pretty rubbish going forward, which is an important part of an effective full back. I’d argue that his stats suggest he should be a central defender. Haidara is a middle of the road defender, who is generally effective both going forward and back, but not particularly great in any area.
In conclusion, we definitely need a left back with a bit of class. The question is, do we let go of Dummett or Haidara? I’d say given Haidara’s stats, he’s not good enough at this level and his injury record does not help. However, is Dummett really suited to this position?
So Doumbia may have to move here permanently after playing a certain number of games….
Just our luck the only player we signed to score goals may be hampered with our reluctance to make the deal permanent 🙄
Gashley(Quote)
Cheers Sham…
I’ve never been good with numbers 😀 but without them I can tell you Janmaat is our best fullback, then dummett… But I prefer Haidara if only he could stay injury free and show his worth over a full season.
Gashley(Quote)
Thanks for the new thread Sham.
I know there was talk on the last one about do we keep Colo and Taylor. For me I’d upgrade our full backs and move Dummett to CB.
Janmaat is our best fullback but defensible he’s still not great IMO. Mbabu had shown signs he could be a very good fullback. I’m afraid I don’t think Haidara is good enough.
So personally i would have Janmaat & Mbabu for RB – and Mbemba can be moved over there if injuries hit hard.
For LB I’d either get 2 new ones in, or 1 new LB and keep Haidara as cover with Dummett who could be moved over there if injuries hit.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mbabu did look good but he’s only played 1 full game and seems to have his share of injuries
Gashley(Quote)
Sham good read mate nice bit of research mate. Yep I knew Janmaat would take the crown but got to agree with sharpy that I’m not as impressed with his defensive abilities despite the stats. Maybe it’s his heading weakness to save us from goals being scored from corners/set pieces that cloud my judgement ❓ Tell you what though I would love to know Simmo’s stats this season just out of interest, he’s a player who maybe didn’t get forward much but defended well enough. As for Dummett I thought his preferred position was CB ❓ Think he looked ok there when he played, doesn’t look as comfy at LB. Mbabu looks a good prospect too but like young Aarons needs to stay fit and get some consistency to their game. Still think Janmaat is more a winger than a fullback like.
kimtoon(Quote)
Gash – Hiadara has had his injuries too but it’s a tough one isn’t it.
I think I would prioritise getting a first choice LB in and a first choice CB in this summer and see how we get on from there. That would ideal give us –
RB – Janmaat, Mbabu
LB – Newbie, Haidara
CB – Mbemba (RB cov) Dummett (LB cov)
CB – Colo, Lascelles & Newbie
I would think that would be enough defensive cover going into next season and then review it from there – maybe 1 other fullback to cover at RB as Mbabu can play both flanks.
Sharpy17(Quote)
How funny if Leicester actually win the League, Simmo a premier league winner.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I’m pretty sure the only reason we lost Simmo was cost we wouldn’t up his wage to £25k pw. He was offered a new contract but we wouldn’t meet his demands. We obviously knew that our long term target was Debuchy and he’d be the first teamer.
To be fair, as well as Simmo is playing, I’d probably still have Janmaat in ahead of him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I would take young Cyrus Christie from Derby as RB cover to Janmaat. I reckon he’d be a decent fit.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I see Liverpool out of the cup thanks to an extra time goal from the Hammer. Mr Klopp is certainly not having the desired effect yet is he?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
///////////////////////Janmaat////////////Simmo///////////////
Chances////////////////19///////////////////3//////////////////////
Headers won/////////21///////////////////45///////////////////
Tackles won//////////48///////////////////36//////////////////
Fouls/////////////////////21//////////////////23//////////////////
Take On’s/////////////30//////////////////10/////////////////
Goals////////////////////1/////////////////////0/////////////////
Assists//////////////////3////////////////////0//////////////////
Suc. Passes/////////700////////////////430/////////////
Shots on target//////6///////////////////1////////////////
Shot Accuracy///////75%/////////////50%////////////
Defensive Actions///5/////////////////13//////////////
Errors//////////////////////0/////////////////2////////////////
In summary, Janmaat wipes the floor with Simmo with the two exception of Defensive clearances/blocks and headers.
Shamrock(Quote)
Cheers Sham, so it’s clear that Janmaats weakness is headers.
kimtoon(Quote)
Janmaats stats read like a wingers rather than a defenders
kimtoon(Quote)
Yeah Klopp not exactly off to a flyer yet. Hope he does well though as he comes across as a nice sort.
kimtoon(Quote)
I see what you mean Kim. He is still a good tackler, makes no costly mistakes, does not commit too many fouls and gets forward really well. I’d say overall he’s a very good attacking fullback but to balance that we need 2 CB’S that dominate in the air. Lets not forget that when Mitro is playing, he should be back helping out on defensive corners too, which should alleviate the burden on Janmaat a bit and leave him free to be an attacking outlet on the break.
Shamrock(Quote)
Kim I hope Klopp crashes and burns. Nothing against the bloke but cannot stand the bin dippers talking about the ‘Liverpool way’ and lording it over everybody like they are some footballing super power. They have a sub standard squad and its time their fans accepted reality and stopped living off the past!
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham I think he’ll get in some good players tbh. Re- Mitro, I do like the fact he’s useful when we defend corners, he’s not afraid to mix it like.
kimtoon(Quote)
Good analysis Shamrock. The conclusions are pretty obvious but in case I missed any I will state what I think:
1. Janmaat is a high quality fullback/winger in the mould of Baines at Everton (but on the right).
2. MBabu has probably done enough to be his backup.
3. we need a new quality left back as neither Dummett nor Haidara are good enough.
4. Let Haidara go as he is injury prone and probably not good enough.
5. Keep Dummett as backup for both CB and LB. He is below average at LB and unproven at CB but is under contract. Sort of a less injured Steven Taylor?
6. Get a bloody new CB as that would relive the pressure on all of the defensive players. Make sure he is good in the air.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yes Eric I’d go with that, especially regarding the new CB – who simply must be an animal in the air!
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – I want a no nonsense, non footballing CB. A defender who isn’t going to run out into midfield or try a fancy pass. Get a Ryan Shawcross or Ashley Williams type CB I say.
1st team CB, 1st team LB and back up RB should be a good start at the back for next season. Another winger and a forward and it’s another good window 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
SM has sometimes wanted to play with 3 at the back with wingbacks. So attacking LWB required with Dummett left of back 3?
Premandup(Quote)
Yes that sounds about right Prem. Gives us fluidity in strategic options then, whilst Dummett would do better as a ‘limited’ full back in a 442, or similar – when the likes of Townsend or Aarons are explicitly attacking the wings.
Shamrock(Quote)
Thanks Sham…nice work mate…. 😉
Two stats you forgot are, how many times each player keeps his opposition player onside and how often they are caught offside themselves.
Speaking of offside, wasn’t Tiote ripped off on the weekend! 😛 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
So McClarens says Shelvey has been vocal in the dressing room and holding players to account. As I mentioned a while back. He is our next Captain. Sooner the better.
Shamrock(Quote)
Aussie – that’s what I thought 🙄
georgio(Quote)
Cheers Sham – good read. Think it does back up the idea that Dummett is more suited to centre back, he’s tough in the air and his lack of pace won’t get exposed as often. I’d move him there primarily to be honest, I’d rather see him partner Mbemba than Taylor or Colo to be honest.
I’d still keep Haidara as well, as a back up left back assuming we bring someone else in. For 500k I think he was one of our better buys, he can’t be on much and won’t be demanding big wages, but he still has some time to develop. I don’t think his injury record is all that bad – let’s not forget the horror tackle McManaman did on the poor kid two years ago put him out for a while, it’s not like he’s got Taylor’s record. Keep him as competiton with for cup matches/injury cover and sell him on in a year or two if he hasn’t improved. I’d like to see how he can do with a proper left winger as well – Haidara and Townsend will be an interesting combo with their pace down the left.
Newkie(Quote)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< found that a pretty confusing read meself 🙄
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
I’m not suprised TAE. You find it hard enough perceiving yourself as a single entity as opposed to the 3rd person you keep referring yourself to be, never mind trying to understand an article featuring 3 different individuals broken down by several performance stats for each player! 😆
Shamrock(Quote)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<< theres only 1 of me bud 😆 😆 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
<<<<<<<<<<< But what about this geezer over here?! 😛 😆
Shamrock(Quote)
but after a long chat with me,meself and i we all came to the same conclusion that janmatts our best fullback 😆 😆 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
The reality is we have one good full back at the entire club and he’s not that great at defending. Given the importance of full backs these days, that isn’t great.
Stuart79(Quote)
Well at least you are all consistent with each other TAE 🙂
Shamrock(Quote)
SHAMROCK
so next time we vote on something we all expect a vote each over here 😆 😆 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Adam Johnson pleads guilty to sexual activity with a child & sexual grooming of a child.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The most staggering thing is that Sunderland must have known how he was going to plead & yet continued to play him…
CC(Quote)
They might be Mackems but I’d like to think they’d have kicked him out the club if they knew he was guilty. Sickening though. A guy with fame and fortune that can have anything he wants but still needs to feel more power and control and takes to preying on kids. Disgusting. Hope he gets a very long sentence.
Shamrock(Quote)
he will be on the nouce wing banged up with the rest of the pervs
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
I would bet that Johnson’s case isn’t straight forward. There will be many mitigating circumstances. Regardless of the circumstances he is guilty if he kissed a 15 year old girl so he will plead guilty.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu I could half understand that if it was a single chance meeting but he has pleaded guilty to grooming, which is an entirely different kettle of fish and shows his actions were premeditated with intent. There is no mitigation for that.
Shamrock(Quote)
CC – Exactly. I find it hard to believe they wouldn’t have known. But then, it’s big business isn’t it? If they had to keep paying him they would think of it as just using an asset while they could..
So glad we never signed him now. But I actually don’t think he will get the book thrown at him or serve that long at all, to be honest.
Newkie(Quote)
Not only that, but he has denied ALL charges up until this morning when the prosecution showed they had him by the short and curlies. He is only admitting what he can’t wriggle out of and no doubt he’s guilty of more. His last minute change of plea shows him to be a liar and a poor excuse for a human being.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – aye, I’ve not been able to read it all in work, but he’s admitted to grooming but has denied some of the sexual charges? He’s obviously still trying to wriggle, but given he’s being paid about 80k p/w I’m sure he has assembled a very strong legal team over the past year or so… 😕
Newkie(Quote)
Sham – Grooming is a word made up for girls under 16. Over 16 it’ called “chasing.” If he didn’t know she was under 16 then there’s a mitigating circumstance but regardless in the eyes of the law he’s guilty. Hence his guilty plea I would imagine.
Stuart79(Quote)
It goes back to the old argument should people be asking for proof of ID on a night out with someone you meet? Personally I think it’s ridiculous that people should be asking for proof in the throws of passion. Especially these days when everyobody looks over 18 at least! A lawyer friend of mine says a lot of these cases are girls dressed up and in a night club, cop off, have sex and then either regret it and grass the lad up or their parents find out and go to the police. The lad still doesn’t know how old the lass is in a lot of cases. Far too one sided the law in this instance.
Stuart79(Quote)
On Johnson:
“Johnson is accused of grooming the teenager between 30 December 2014 and 26 February 2015 and having met with her to carry out sexual activity knowing that she was under 16, the age of consent. Standing in the dock, Johnson answered “guilty”.”
Scum. He knew she was under 16 and groomed her over the Internet.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
As if a PL doesn’t have enough opportunities for sex, he has to groom a 15 year old girl online??? This guy has serious problems. He’s worse than Ched Evans in my opinion. Doesn’t deserve to represent a proud(ly ****) club and earn mega bucks. Sack him, shame him, sue him and lock him up.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Stu – think it’s different mate. Sleeping with an underage girl on a night out is somewhat easily done. Adam Johnson did it and then quite clearly, still continued to see her, he posed in pictures etc etc and obviously made it noticable enough for her dad to get involved. It can’t have been a one night stand where the alcohol is flowing and she’s already fooled the staff and managed to get hold of drink herself.
Newkie(Quote)
STUART
You want interesting precedents? Check out the Ched Evans case. He was basically convicted of rape on the basis that the girl was too drunk to consent. Unless average people seriously change their ways there will be tens of thousands of similar cases every weekend that could result in a rape charge.
Basically people have to be very careful when sleeping with someone they don’t know well.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
i think grooming means theres more than him involved
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
not to sure on that though ive never had any buds charged with that
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
NEWKIE
Easily done perhaps, if the guy is drunk and the girl looks 20, but a multi-millionaire footballer has to be smarter. There are many things that could do wrong with sleeping with the wrong woman. And it’s not as if they’re short of choices…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TAE
Nope. Just means he communicated with her to groom (prepare) her for sexual acts with him. Could be talking dirty to her online and telling her that he was ok with her age. Stuff like that.
Read the quote I posted from an article in a newspaper.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TOONDARNSARF
k thanks bud wernt to sure
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
TAE
No worries. I wasn’t 100% so looked it up first. Makes it much worse too. Means he knew what he was doing and planned it over a period of time. Not just a drunken mistake in a nightclub…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Pardew liked Haidara and Janmaat because modern full backs need to be attacking full backs and be able to get forward. Look at the likes of Ashley Cole, Bellerin, Baines and others. What we’re lacking is the balance though. Too many of our attacks have gone down the right side and we need to have the option of the left too. Dummett isn’t good enough going forward to support Gini/Townsend. I wonder if Gini will drift to the left to support Townsend while Janmaat and Sissoko work the right flank? Doesn’t have to be symmetrical…and might be the best use of our players. Henry used to drift to the left flank a lot.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
1 things for sure if he tryed that with 1 of my daughters i would want him dead
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
the judge should of had the sense to remand him in the 1st place
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
The Ched Evans case was just a complete joke! Christ, too drunk to say no! That’s about 50% of the UK on a Saturday night! 🙄
If he knew she was 15 then it’s wrong, but what was she doing? It doesn’t sound like she was saying no so she must take some responsibility.
Stuart79(Quote)
The full back debate is interesting. While we’ve all got used to fullbacks playing like wingers, Leicester have two of very average ability who rarely go forward. They’ve always got four defenders in position and leave the attacking stuff to the rest. Sounds like a plan to me.
georgio(Quote)
Although I think it’s prudent to reserve judgment on him until the facts are clear. Currently he has pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child under 16 which is thought to have been a “kiss in a sexual manner” and grooming. He has pleaded not guilty to the more serious offences.
Stuart79(Quote)
STUART79
i dis agree with that shes just a kid,were on the other hand hes way old enough to know better
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Stu, you got your law wrong mate. It’s all very well listening to a lawyer buddy of yours – but neither of the things he has admitted are done by accident.
Shamrock(Quote)
I agree, Sham but kissing a girl is not a hanging offence – 15 years old or not. Sexual activity of a different kind is clearly wrong and should be punished, but as it stands he has only pleaded guilty to that and grooming which agaion is wrong but if he’s groomed her just to kiss her it puts a whole different slant on things. He has denied having sex with an under age girl.
Stuart79(Quote)
TAE – 15 is old enough to know whether what she or he is doing is completely wrong. This is where the law is a bit of an ***. He would face the same sentance for doing the same thing to someone who was a lot younger. That crime deserves castration, but at 15 its borderline legal – although still techincally a crime.
I reckon they were both doing whatever, both knew it was wrong and both thought “Sod it, we’re enjoying it so we will carry on.” Techincally he shouldn’t have done it and he should have known it would come out eventually but these days 15 years old is a hell of a lot older than it use to be. But before people jump down my throat, I still think it’s wrong but not as bad a rape (due to the age involved) in terms of forcing yourself on women etc…
Stuart79(Quote)
No Stu. It’s not acceptable to groom a 15 year old to kiss or otherwise. You are well off the mark. The wording of the offence is very clear in that is sexual. There has to be a sexual motivation for the touching for the offence to be complete, therefore even if it was kissing, it was with a sexual motive. However he has admitted kissing AND touching her, which again will have been sexual touching. The offence also makes it clear that the offender knew the person was under 16, which takes away the mitigation.
In top of that, the grooming offence explicity requires for him to meet the child knowing she was under 16 and for him to do so with a sexual motive. There is no mitigation for that as he has plead guilty.
Your making excuses for him is unbelievably naive and disconcerting to say the least.
Shamrock(Quote)
STUART
15 years old is a child. It’s not up to her to take responsibility for sexual acts with a man who is much older than her. You shouldn’t even be passing blame. He’s the powerful, older, richer man who groomed a 15 year old for sexual acts. No excuse there at all. She was just a 15 year old kid and he knew it. He had the experience to stay well clear but he chose not to. Scum.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
The law is there to protect vulnerable , emotionally and intellectually underdeveloped young girls and boys from being taken advantage of. There is no excuse for it when the offender knows they are underage.
Shamrock(Quote)
Actually, Sham I wish you would read my bleeding posts! I never ever said it was acceptable!
My point is that he will be treated the same was as a peadphile would be treated if the child was 3. I just believe that is wrong. yes, he shoudl still be arrested, charged and dealt with but there is a huge difference between someone who is 3 and someone who is 15, yet the term will be the same.
Stuart79(Quote)
Sham – How on earth do you know this girl was “vulnerable, emotionally and intellectually underdeveloped?”
Don’t get me wrong, I am not condoning this, I am saying that they were probably both well aware of what they were doing.
Stuart79(Quote)
TDS – Of course mate I agree, not sure if I gave the impression I didn’t? I meant it was easily done in general – but yeah, as a footballer with the world at your finger tips and girls falling over you, he was ****in stupid. And agree with you on the ched evans bit as well. “Not remembering” is a dodgy precedent as far as i’m concerned as well.
Newkie(Quote)
There’s also allegations that the family asked Johnson for £100k to take it no further! If that is true then that says an awful lot about the whole situation.
Stuart79(Quote)
I would hope that they give him a significant sentence because he is in a high profile position with regular access to impressionable children through charities and by virtue of his profession.
Of course it depends on how far his sexual acts went and what his ultimate motivation was. I’d expect that because of the position he is in as a powerful celebrity figure that children will automatically flock to and trust – whatever sentence he is given will not be a minimum tariff.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – Do you not accept that “children” as you say but who are 15-16 years old will flock to him to try and take part in sexual activities with him? Today’s culture of Wags and all this **** makes it quite desparate.
Stuart79(Quote)
Anyway Johnson has a face like a ferret and he should be locked up for that alone.
Seriously though, I was drinking in clubs at 15, looked older obviously, never had to show ID like nowadays, got asked my age very rarely but would just quote my date of birth less 3 years . In one club the door staff knew my real age and they used to look out for me and my mates, they knew we only wanted to dance all night rather than get blotto and get shagged, but there were plenty in there that were actively looking to get laid even though under age. It’s difficult for blokes and very easy to fool them. What Adam has done is entirely different though, he has set out to groom her and probably got some perverse kick out of it. I think they earn so much money and have so much adulation they think they are beyond the law . Some seem to have a need to push the boundaries as it were, which could be the result of having it all and them wanting a new thrill or some such bollocks. In the end there is no excuse for that behaviour imo.
kimtoon(Quote)