Statistical Preview: Swansea vs West Ham

Swansea completed a 4-0 rout over Sunderland last time out, helped by two own-goals from their opposition.

Jonjo Shelvey is finally getting the first team football he so craved at Liverpool and Michael Laudrup is reaping the benefits from giving the youngster an extended run in the team. He so far leads a very talented, technical Swansea squad for passes completed in the opponent’s half with 205 according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, and is so far the only Swans player to have broken the 200-pass barrier.

Look no further than Chico Flores for the man who adds the steel to Swansea’s usual silky attacking football. He leads the Swansea squad for defensive contributions (tackles won, blocks, interceptions, clearances) so far this campaign with 94.

Michu will be looking to get some of his accuracy in front of goal back up to the standards of his stellar first season in English football after some wayward attempts so far this term. He boasts a shot accuracy rate of 55.5% from 18 attempts on goal so far this season.

Young defender Ben Davies has continued to make an impression this season following his first-team breakthrough last term. The Welsh international will be hoping from a swift return from his recent ankle sprain so he can continue to build on his impressive stats. He’s compiled a solid tackle success rate of 66.6% from 27 attempted challenges, as well as completing a pass in the opponent’s half on average once every 3.91 minutes he’s been on the pitch this season.

West Ham were undone last weekend by a Man City side back to their imperious best and found themselves on the wrong end of a 1-3 defeat at the Boleyn Ground. They face another potentially exacting encounter this weekend when they travel to South Wales.

Highly touted in recent weeks, Ravel Morrison would have been riding high heading into the Hammers’ match with City last weekend. His usual accurate shooting deserted him somewhat though, with Morrison managing 3 attempts on goal but none of them finding the target. He’ll be looking for a swift return to form this weekend.

Although noted particularly for his defensive capabilities, Mohamed Diame has been showcasing why he is so highly prized by the Hammers with his intent going forward as well this season. Diame currently ranks joint 5^th on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for dribbles with 19.

James Collins has continued his fine defensive start to the season, recording some of the best statistics in the league at the back for the Hammers. The Welsh centre-half has successfully completed 93.3% of his attempted challenges this season, placing him 3^rd on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. 

Collins’ colleague at the back Winston Reid is another who has been in strong form so far this season, have completed 113 total defensive contributions (tackles won, clearances, blocks, interceptions) so far this term, making him one of only six players to have moved into triple figures in this category.