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Post by njdragon on Nov 20, 2024 10:08:40 GMT
Without wishing to put a dampner on things, the cold hard stats are consistent with how I felt watching the game - which is that our performance wasn't great despite the result. Obviously we imprvoed after the shocking start, but a large chunk of the second half was also very even with chances for both sides. According to this site, a 1-1 or 2-2 score wouldn't have been an unfair result: www.fotmob.com/en-GB/matches/wales-vs-iceland/1p3s05#4422079:tab=factsI think it does show that we can't be too cavalier with our team selections, and I still feel Bellamy is too ready to accommodate a drop off in quality for the sake of rotation. I hope that Bellamy doesn't take this as a lesson that this is the way to go when the proper qualifiers come around. That said, the irony is that each of the three windows have followed the same pattern, with a draw followed by a win - and the wins have come when we've rotated and brought in 2nd or 3rd choice players. I normally agree with your posts here: but i think as bellamy mentioned this wasn't about winning the group but finding our feet and our squad. He's done that as his first objective and i think in doing so its worked out that we have also been promoted. A lot of hits and misses but we've had a bit of luck along the way - that result for turkey last night and the penalty miss. But overall i think massive overachievement in this campaign for him. |
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Post by dai on Nov 20, 2024 10:09:40 GMT
Without wishing to put a dampner on things, the cold hard stats are consistent with how I felt watching the game - which is that our performance wasn't great despite the result. Obviously we imprvoed after the shocking start, but a large chunk of the second half was also very even with chances for both sides. According to this site, a 1-1 or 2-2 score wouldn't have been an unfair result: www.fotmob.com/en-GB/matches/wales-vs-iceland/1p3s05#4422079:tab=factsI think it does show that we can't be too cavalier with our team selections, and I still feel Bellamy is too ready to accommodate a drop off in quality for the sake of rotation. I hope that Bellamy doesn't take this as a lesson that this is the way to go when the proper qualifiers come around. That said, the irony is that each of the three windows have followed the same pattern, with a draw followed by a win - and the wins have come when we've rotated and brought in 2nd or 3rd choice players. I sort of agree, the first 30 minutes were awful if we’re being honest, which made the 4-1 scoreline pretty unbelievable at the finish. Iceland could have had another 2 or 3 themselves. Had we not won promotion automatically I still wouldnt have fancied us against any of the teams in the playoff. |
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Post by melynwy on Nov 20, 2024 10:16:50 GMT
I’d think we’ll be settling on GKs and defenders more after this campaign, and that Bellamy was using the Nations League to give a fair chance to everyone and have a good. He just so happened to win the group and go unbeaten for 6 games! I don’t know. Bellamy made a big point before the campaign kicked off that there would be a lot of rotation because he didn’t think our forwards in particular can perform and produce the energy levels needed over 2 games in such a short space of time. Whenever he’s been asked about it in between games, he’s never mentioned any experimentation, and always referred back to the need to rotate to sustain high energy. So don’t be surprised if we see the same trend during the WC qualifiers. I don’t like it personally, I would much prefer a better balance / more consistency - but what do I know! I was going on about how Cullen isn’t up to it before the game, so I think we can safely assume that Bellamy knows his stuff more than us! True, and I wouldn't be surprised if he kept rotating attackers, but I'm assuming he'll try to settle on the starting GK, and perhaps the CB pair/trio. |
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Post by hooky on Nov 20, 2024 10:51:53 GMT
Without wishing to put a dampner on things, the cold hard stats are consistent with how I felt watching the game - which is that our performance wasn't great despite the result. Obviously we imprvoed after the shocking start, but a large chunk of the second half was also very even with chances for both sides. According to this site, a 1-1 or 2-2 score wouldn't have been an unfair result: www.fotmob.com/en-GB/matches/wales-vs-iceland/1p3s05#4422079:tab=factsI think it does show that we can't be too cavalier with our team selections, and I still feel Bellamy is too ready to accommodate a drop off in quality for the sake of rotation. I hope that Bellamy doesn't take this as a lesson that this is the way to go when the proper qualifiers come around. That said, the irony is that each of the three windows have followed the same pattern, with a draw followed by a win - and the wins have come when we've rotated and brought in 2nd or 3rd choice players. I normally agree with your posts here: but i think as bellamy mentioned this wasn't about winning the group but finding our feet and our squad. He's done that as his first objective and i think in doing so its worked out that we have also been promoted. A lot of hits and misses but we've had a bit of luck along the way - that result for turkey last night and the penalty miss. But overall i think massive overachievement in this campaign for him. Guys - I was beating on him for picking Cullen and then the guy scores two and assists two Think in a big match half of that starting lineout would be different but he has shown how brave he is and giving all of these weaker players so much game time will mean they feel more comfortable to drop into the team when needed His full use of the squad and confidence in all squad players is in very sharp contrast to Page. He has obviously thought about how our energy levels drop off when we have 2 matches close together, especially given his high press game/closing down philosophy Pressuring opponents, more attack minded, keeping the ball and fully using the squad are massive contrasts with the Page era. Sorry but if a Page side fell behind to Iceland then despite our poor defence last night, would we have come back so emphatically? Maybe but I doubt it. He is obviously great at installing confidence in players too - Cullen being an obvious example of that. 6 undefeated playing a different system and utilising the whole squad and making a few switches between each game. You cannot put that down to just luck! |
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Post by johnoster on Nov 20, 2024 10:58:01 GMT
I think we were dreadful for the first 15 minutes, then still ropey at the back for another 20.
But going forward we really grew into the game, kept better possession, and slowly moved the game into their half.
The number 9 going off made a big difference in my opinion.
The things that impressed me were that we did keep getting better as the game went on, we found the angles (that Bellamy goes on about a lot), and controlled possession.
We've been criticized (justly) throughout the campaign for not being more clinical. The failure to score against Turkey at home, missed chances against Montenegro and Iceland when 2-0 up, failure to finish Montenegro off at home.
But last night we were more clinical, took our chances, and deserved to win.
I also loved the tenacity and aggression in the middle of the pitch, Harry Wilson's tackle leading to the second goal, the way we won the ball for the third goal, Cullen battling to allow Wilson his chance for the 4th.
Mark Harris did similar in the first half and created a good chance for Johnson.
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Post by iot on Nov 20, 2024 11:03:12 GMT
I normally agree with your posts here: but i think as bellamy mentioned this wasn't about winning the group but finding our feet and our squad. He's done that as his first objective and i think in doing so its worked out that we have also been promoted. A lot of hits and misses but we've had a bit of luck along the way - that result for turkey last night and the penalty miss. But overall i think massive overachievement in this campaign for him. Guys - I was beating on him for picking Cullen and then the guy scores two and assists two Think in a big match half of that starting lineout would be different but he has shown how brave he is and giving all of these weaker players so much game time will mean they feel more comfortable to drop into the team when needed His full use of the squad and confidence in all squad players is in very sharp contrast to Page. He has obviously thought about how our energy levels drop off when we have 2 matches close together, especially given his high press game/closing down philosophy Pressuring opponents, more attack minded, keeping the ball and fully using the squad are massive contrasts with the Page era. Sorry but if a Page side fell behind to Iceland then despite our poor defence last night, would we have come back so emphatically? Maybe but I doubt it. He is obviously great at installing confidence in players too - Cullen being an obvious example of that. 6 undefeated playing a different system and utilising the whole squad and making a few switches between each game. You cannot put that down to just luck! The bit in bold is what I'm unsure on and makes me feel nervous, because I'm sure Bellamy treated yesterday's game as a big match and still went with that lineup, and it wouldn't surprise me at all to sse him doing similar in the proper qualifiers. |
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Post by winsumluzsum on Nov 20, 2024 11:33:55 GMT
Without wishing to put a dampner on things, the cold hard stats are consistent with how I felt watching the game - which is that our performance wasn't great despite the result. Obviously we imprvoed after the shocking start, but a large chunk of the second half was also very even with chances for both sides. According to this site, a 1-1 or 2-2 score wouldn't have been an unfair result: www.fotmob.com/en-GB/matches/wales-vs-iceland/1p3s05#4422079:tab=factsI think it does show that we can't be too cavalier with our team selections, and I still feel Bellamy is too ready to accommodate a drop off in quality for the sake of rotation. I hope that Bellamy doesn't take this as a lesson that this is the way to go when the proper qualifiers come around. That said, the irony is that each of the three windows have followed the same pattern, with a draw followed by a win - and the wins have come when we've rotated and brought in 2nd or 3rd choice players. This is very much how I see things. Iceland created 5 or 6 chances at the start of the second half. I'm hoping that Bellamy treated these nations league games as glorified friendlies, because if, in qualifying matches, he fails to correct clearly dysfunctional performances, as we saw last night from our back 4, he will be justifiably pilloried if we don't get away with it as we did last night. The difference in assurance between the back 4 performances between the Turkiye and Iceland games was night and day. The rotation argument doesn't really hold with the back 4, or the CBs at least. Rodon and Davies, or Rodon and Mepham, have to be the central pairing going forwards, with Neco only at right back. |
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Post by rangers15 on Nov 20, 2024 11:56:34 GMT
Still getting my head around the result last night!!! it could easily been a high scoring draw... and the neutrals i have spoken to this morning absolutely loved the game.
there is no getting away with the fact we got a bit lucky throughout this campaign... the missed penalty being the big one and the unexpected Montenegro win last night. But thats football, and we take whats given.
I loved how brave we were last night... backing ourselves to grow into the game with possession.
like a few others, i'd like to see Bellamy settle on personnel of GK and back 4... and i understand the rotation need for attacking players (and luckily we have a few in those positions for that).
Big take away from this campaign for me is the extra options in the squad now... its harder to pick our best 11 then it ever was imo.
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Post by winsumluzsum on Nov 20, 2024 12:04:25 GMT
You would think if Bellamy were to select a consistent number 1 from now on the choice will be Darlow. However, it would not surprise me if Bellamy continues to rotate not least because Ward is better with his feet. 35 out of 43 accurate passes yesterday (81%). 12 out of 19 (63%) long balls. To play a possession-led game distribution from the back is fundamental, and I think Bellamy will see it that way. Perhaps he'll go with Darlow in the tougher fixtures and Ward in the easier ones.
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Post by njdragon on Nov 20, 2024 12:11:15 GMT
You would think if Bellamy were to select a consistent number 1 from now on the choice will be Darlow. However, it would not surprise me if Bellamy continues to rotate not least because Ward is better with his feet. 35 out of 43 accurate passes yesterday (81%). 12 out of 19 (63%) long balls. To play a possession-led game distribution from the back is fundamental, and I think Bellamy will see it that way. Perhaps he'll go with Darlow in the tougher fixtures and Ward in the easier ones. I dont think there is much between them and rotating them is at least giving them both much needed game time. If Darlow finds a club in jan then i assume the position will be his to lose. |
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Post by ddirpytnop on Nov 20, 2024 12:43:50 GMT
There were strong parallels between last night's game and the home fixture against Armenia. We were good going forward but unable to prevent the opposition creating good chances. The different outcomes in the two games is down largely to efficiency in front of goal. Armenia were unusally clinical, Iceland weren't. At the same time, we were a bit more clinical last night than against Armenia. Last night, a four-one victory could easily have been a four-two defeat. I'd also say that in both cases, team selection and set up was to blame for our openess at the back. If we play with a back four and only one defensive midfielder, we are asking for defensive trouble.
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Post by winsumluzsum on Nov 20, 2024 13:00:19 GMT
There were strong parallels between last night's game and the home fixture against Armenia. We were good going forward but unable to prevent the opposition creating good chances. The different outcomes in the two games is down largely to efficiency in front of goal. Armenia were unusally clinical, Iceland weren't. At the same time, we were a bit more clinical last night than against Armenia. Last night, a four-one victory could easily have been a four-two defeat. I'd also say that in both cases, team selection and set up was to blame for our openess at the back. If we play with a back four and only one defensive midfielder, we are asking for defensive trouble. To be fair it wasn't obvious that the back 4 would struggle as much as they did. But once it became clear that they were struggling some sort of adjustment was in order. Only when Allen came on did we not look vulnerable, and that was late in the game. |
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Post by ddirpytnop on Nov 20, 2024 13:04:45 GMT
There were strong parallels between last night's game and the home fixture against Armenia. We were good going forward but unable to prevent the opposition creating good chances. The different outcomes in the two games is down largely to efficiency in front of goal. Armenia were unusally clinical, Iceland weren't. At the same time, we were a bit more clinical last night than against Armenia. Last night, a four-one victory could easily have been a four-two defeat. I'd also say that in both cases, team selection and set up was to blame for our openess at the back. If we play with a back four and only one defensive midfielder, we are asking for defensive trouble. To be fair it wasn't obvious that the back 4 would struggle as much as they did. But once it became clear that they were struggling some sort of adjustment was in order. Only when Allen came on did we not look vulnerable, and that was late in the game. Agree with that. I wasn't particularly enamoured of the decision to bring Allen out of international retirement but he does make a difference when he comes on and should have been introduced far earlier last night. He didn't play on Saturday so would not have been tired. |
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Post by winsumluzsum on Nov 20, 2024 13:06:28 GMT
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Post by hooky on Nov 20, 2024 13:25:28 GMT
8 of the 12 groups will have either or combinations from the Nations League Group A quarter finals. The winners of those games have to be in 4 team groups. The losers will be in 4 or 5 team groups. We will probably be in a 5 team group with 2 qualifiers in March. I think. If we are in a 4 team group, we have friendlies in March & June. A four team group would be better for us I think |
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Post by winsumluzsum on Nov 20, 2024 13:29:49 GMT
8 of the 12 groups will have either or combinations from the Nations League Group A quarter finals. The winners of those games have to be in 4 team groups. The losers will be in 4 or 5 team groups. We will probably be in a 5 team group with 2 qualifiers in March. I think. If we are in a 4 team group, we have friendlies in March & June. A four team group would be better for us I think Why? The extra couple of games against Cannon fodder gives us an opportunity to experiment further. |
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Post by hooky on Nov 20, 2024 13:33:34 GMT
Guys - I was beating on him for picking Cullen and then the guy scores two and assists two Think in a big match half of that starting lineout would be different but he has shown how brave he is and giving all of these weaker players so much game time will mean they feel more comfortable to drop into the team when needed His full use of the squad and confidence in all squad players is in very sharp contrast to Page. He has obviously thought about how our energy levels drop off when we have 2 matches close together, especially given his high press game/closing down philosophy Pressuring opponents, more attack minded, keeping the ball and fully using the squad are massive contrasts with the Page era. Sorry but if a Page side fell behind to Iceland then despite our poor defence last night, would we have come back so emphatically? Maybe but I doubt it. He is obviously great at installing confidence in players too - Cullen being an obvious example of that. 6 undefeated playing a different system and utilising the whole squad and making a few switches between each game. You cannot put that down to just luck! The bit in bold is what I'm unsure on and makes me feel nervous, because I'm sure Bellamy treated yesterday's game as a big match and still went with that lineup, and it wouldn't surprise me at all to sse him doing similar in the proper qualifiers. No way! If that were Wales vs Hungary or vs Ukraine then there is no way the likes of Ward, Cabango, Sheehan, Harris, etc would get in ahead of the first picks! |
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Post by winsumluzsum on Nov 20, 2024 14:14:23 GMT
The bit in bold is what I'm unsure on and makes me feel nervous, because I'm sure Bellamy treated yesterday's game as a big match and still went with that lineup, and it wouldn't surprise me at all to sse him doing similar in the proper qualifiers. No way! If that were Wales vs Hungary or vs Ukraine then there is no way the likes of Ward, Cabango, Sheehan, Harris, etc would get in ahead of the first picks! Perhaps not in playoffs, but against pot 3 or 4 countries? Time will tell. |
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steve evans
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Post by majid on Nov 20, 2024 15:08:23 GMT
There were strong parallels between last night's game and the home fixture against Armenia. We were good going forward but unable to prevent the opposition creating good chances. The different outcomes in the two games is down largely to efficiency in front of goal. Armenia were unusally clinical, Iceland weren't. At the same time, we were a bit more clinical last night than against Armenia. Last night, a four-one victory could easily have been a four-two defeat. I'd also say that in both cases, team selection and set up was to blame for our openess at the back. If we play with a back four and only one defensive midfielder, we are asking for defensive trouble. How much of this openness at the back is because we were without Ethan Ampadu, I wonder? |
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Post by johnoster on Nov 20, 2024 15:17:41 GMT
Thanks for posting that, the pitch and weather both look terrible! |
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Post by talyfan on Nov 20, 2024 15:28:16 GMT
To be fair to Bellamy. People can say the starting XI he picked was weaker but it's not as if he was spoilt for choice - no other options available to him. We'll never have a perfect XI available in any game we play due to injuries, out of form etc. What we can judge Bellamy on is how he sets up the team with players available to his disposal in these big game situations and what we see on the pitch.
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Post by melynwy on Nov 20, 2024 15:38:02 GMT
You would think if Bellamy were to select a consistent number 1 from now on the choice will be Darlow. However, it would not surprise me if Bellamy continues to rotate not least because Ward is better with his feet. 35 out of 43 accurate passes yesterday (81%). 12 out of 19 (63%) long balls. To play a possession-led game distribution from the back is fundamental, and I think Bellamy will see it that way. Perhaps he'll go with Darlow in the tougher fixtures and Ward in the easier ones. As I've said before, personally I feel Darlow is a cut above Ward in all departments, including distribution. The stats may suggest one thing, but watching the games suggest otherwise to me. Don't forget that it was Darlow who had to play on an unplayable pitch in Montenegro too, where accurate distribution was bound to be low. Ward's long balls yesterday were pretty much 50/50 balls - I think the statistic is more of a reflection that our attackers did well with them rather than Ward being accurate. Also - in the first few games at least - it was clear that Darlow was more willing (or was allowed to) to go long/clear when he felt it was needed, whereas Ward steadfastly stuck to playing short balls, especially to a central defender/midfielder dropping deep, and always waited until he himself was pressed before making the pass. It seemed to me that it was a big part of the gameplan that was eventually eased off towards the end of the campaign (for example, I'll bet Ward's accuracy stats last night were lower than the opening game v Turkey.) Credit to Ward for doing it, but Darlow seems more comfortable on the ball when watching the game. His first touch seems much better than Ward too. |
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Post by hooky on Nov 20, 2024 15:46:40 GMT
You would think if Bellamy were to select a consistent number 1 from now on the choice will be Darlow. However, it would not surprise me if Bellamy continues to rotate not least because Ward is better with his feet. 35 out of 43 accurate passes yesterday (81%). 12 out of 19 (63%) long balls. To play a possession-led game distribution from the back is fundamental, and I think Bellamy will see it that way. Perhaps he'll go with Darlow in the tougher fixtures and Ward in the easier ones. We need a reliable shot stopper. Ward gets too easily beaten at times. The call we conceded was typical - a great save on the face of it but not turned around the post but kept in play and he reacts clumsily by letting the second shot between his legs Now I know its not easy but I don't get the feeling that Darlow concedes that? Then Darlow commands his box and defense far better. So I understand this possession from the back but I don't think we should pick a keeper on that one attribute - its not as if Darlow is a clown with the ball at his feet! I agree on the centre back pairings 1. Mepham over Cabango every time (at the moment) 2. Ben Davies is no centre back in a back two against good opposition Cabango just looks so clumsy / lacking in concentration at times when I watch him which is a shame as he is a big, tall, powerful guy who can pass the ball around and unlike the other centre backs he can score goals too! |
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Post by winsumluzsum on Nov 20, 2024 16:24:02 GMT
You would think if Bellamy were to select a consistent number 1 from now on the choice will be Darlow. However, it would not surprise me if Bellamy continues to rotate not least because Ward is better with his feet. 35 out of 43 accurate passes yesterday (81%). 12 out of 19 (63%) long balls. To play a possession-led game distribution from the back is fundamental, and I think Bellamy will see it that way. Perhaps he'll go with Darlow in the tougher fixtures and Ward in the easier ones. As I've said before, personally I feel Darlow is a cut above Ward in all departments, including distribution. The stats may suggest one thing, but watching the games suggest otherwise to me. Don't forget that it was Darlow who had to play on an unplayable pitch in Montenegro too, where accurate distribution was bound to be low. Ward's long balls yesterday were pretty much 50/50 balls - I think the statistic is more of a reflection that our attackers did well with them rather than Ward being accurate. Also - in the first few games at least - it was clear that Darlow was more willing (or was allowed to) to go long/clear when he felt it was needed, whereas Ward steadfastly stuck to playing short balls, especially to a central defender/midfielder dropping deep, and always waited until he himself was pressed before making the pass. It seemed to me that it was a big part of the gameplan that was eventually eased off towards the end of the campaign (for example, I'll bet Ward's accuracy stats last night were lower than the opening game v Turkey.) Credit to Ward for doing it, but Darlow seems more comfortable on the ball when watching the game. His first touch seems much better than Ward too. You've just lost your bet. 83% 45% accuracy and long ball accuracy (11 long balls) against Turkiye compared to 81% 63% (19 long balls) last night. Strange how people see things differently because I think Ward looks a lot more assured on the ball. I suppose the difference is that I have the stats to back up my subjective opinion. |
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Post by iot on Nov 20, 2024 16:24:41 GMT
You would think if Bellamy were to select a consistent number 1 from now on the choice will be Darlow. However, it would not surprise me if Bellamy continues to rotate not least because Ward is better with his feet. 35 out of 43 accurate passes yesterday (81%). 12 out of 19 (63%) long balls. To play a possession-led game distribution from the back is fundamental, and I think Bellamy will see it that way. Perhaps he'll go with Darlow in the tougher fixtures and Ward in the easier ones. We need a reliable shot stopper. Ward gets too easily beaten at times. The call we conceded was typical - a great save on the face of it but not turned around the post but kept in play and he reacts clumsily by letting the second shot between his legs Now I know its not easy but I don't get the feeling that Darlow concedes that? Then Darlow commands his box and defense far better. So I understand this possession from the back but I don't think we should pick a keeper on that one attribute - its not as if Darlow is a clown with the ball at his feet! I agree on the centre back pairings 1. Mepham over Cabango every time (at the moment) 2. Ben Davies is no centre back in a back two against good opposition Cabango just looks so clumsy / lacking in concentration at times when I watch him which is a shame as he is a big, tall, powerful guy who can pass the ball around and unlike the other centre backs he can score goals too! 'So I understand this possession from the back but I don't think we should pick a keeper on that one attribute' It's fundamental if we want us to play the way Bellamy wants us to unfortunately. The very first thing Pep did at Man City was to test Joe Hart's distribution. Hart failed the test and Pep moved him out instantly. There was a massive outcry from the English media, but that's how important it was for Pep to make his system work. It's the same with us under Bellamy - you can't play this way if the keeper panicks every time there's some pressure and hoofs it long - as Bellamy pointed out, it means we lose posession and it comes right back at us. 'I agree on the centre back pairings 1. Mepham over Cabango every time (at the moment) 2. Ben Davies is no centre back in a back two against good opposition' Not sure I agree with the second part there - Davies just put in an outstanding performance in that position against Turkey away where he was almost faultless. |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Nov 20, 2024 16:33:21 GMT
Thanks for posting that, the pitch and weather both look terrible! Just shows how well we did to hold onto a win out there |
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Post by winsumluzsum on Nov 20, 2024 16:37:51 GMT
Darlow played in goal at home against Montenegro, the least demanding of all our NL games. Yet even in that game his stats were 72% 33%. Ward's passing accuracy has been over 80% in all 3 games and 45% or better for long ball accuracy.
I re-iterate, on the strength of his showing in Turkiye I would have Darlow as number 1 for the tougher fixtures. If Bellamy makes him no 1 for all fixtures that's fine by me too. But I think Ward will continue to get game time if only because he better facilitates the possession game that Bellamy has very clearly advocated. Darlow will have to match or surpass Ward's figures if he wants to cement his no 1 role.
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Post by winsumluzsum on Nov 20, 2024 16:40:37 GMT
And Ward got a pre-assist for his long ball to Cullen's feet for our 4th.
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Post by jbt95 on Nov 20, 2024 16:47:04 GMT
And Ward got a pre-assist for his long ball to Cullen's feet for our 4th. Key pass |
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Post by winsumluzsum on Nov 20, 2024 16:58:14 GMT
The Fotmob stats for the two goalies in their nations league games illustrate their strengths and weaknesses beautifully.
Darlow - average Fotmob rating 7.77 (excellent) Ward 6.76 (average).
Save percentage: D 87.5% (excellent) W 66.7% (decent)
Goals prevented: D 1.99 W -1.18
High claim: D 1.0 per 90 minutes W 0.67
Pass accuracy: D 61.17% (20th percentile) W 83.5% (76th percentile)
Accurate long balls: D 13 W 23
Long ball accuracy: D 25% (10th percentile) W 54.8% (84th percentile)
So, Darlow wins comfortably on all measures other than distribution but Ward wins comfortably on accuracy.
It will weigh on Bellamy's mind that three quarters of Darlow's long balls hand possession back to the opposition. But is that enough to offset Darlow's superiority at keeping the ball out of the net?
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