Ball Carries
By tracking a new metric (Progressive Runs) and adding this to Pack Dribbles, we can assess those most effective at carrying the ball forward.
Definitions
Progressive Runs are defined as “A forward run with the ball that does not take any opponents out the game but progresses the ball either:
30 metres from the defensive half to the opposition half or
10 metres inside the opposition half”
A Pack Dribble is “The total number of dribbles that take out at least one opponent. The Dribble has to complete with a next action attempted.”.
Essentially a Progressive Run does not take any opponents out the game but gains the team field position. A Pack Dribble gains forward field position AND takes opponents out the game.
Ball Carries
Putting the two together, let’s call the aggregate Ball Carries.
This is calculated for players playing > 500 minutes so far.
As I discussed yesterday introducing the Recovery metric, I’ve found something that makes Morgan look good! This new metric is similarly Morgan-friendly.
With 8.84 successful ball carries per 90m he leads the squad. He leads both Progressive Runs and Pack Dribbles.
Why is this important? Running with the ball gets the team up the field and can relive pressure on your own goal. Clearly taking an opponent out the game makes space and provides opportunities to create chances. Also, it is exciting!
Probably no surprise to see Johnston in second place. His running with the ball at pace is a striking feature of his play.
Those two young attacking players lead the squad by quite a distance being the only players over 7 Ball Carries per 90m.
Ajer is next. He is famed for his ranging runs out from the back. This is an excellent weapon of variety against packed defences. He is second in Pack Dribbles, perhaps because of his time as a full back.
Of the rest, the only surprise to me in the list is McGregor being so low. I haven’t crunched his numbers but I suspect there is a slight drop off for him generally. I would posit due to 1. Fatigue given the sheer volume of minutes he has put in and 2. Slight unsettlement in the summer over a potential transfer. One for another article.
Summary
Allying Progressive Runs to Pack Dribbles allows us to assess who in the squad are best getting Celtic up the park by running with the ball.
It is predominantly a young man’s game this and for the attackers in particular. Though Ajer would disagree with that last point.