Running the risk of going back to the Illan Meslier situation, but I did promise I’d check the data and post it, so final post about Mes this week, for me. This is just raw data with comparisons.
These 23/24 season stats can’t really be taken any other way, they are absolute in their meaning and outcome, unlike dodgy xG stats, which can be open to interpretation. These cannot.
MESLIER – LEEDS
Shots faced: 124
Saves: 84
Save %: 67.74 (44th percentile)
Goals prevented: -4.49
HERMANSEN – LEICESTER
Shots faced: 154
Saves: 113
Save %: 73.38 (90th percentile)
Goals prevented: +4.68
HLADKY – IPSWICH
Shots faced: 171
Saves: 114
Save %: 66.67 (34th percentile)
Goals prevented: -2.93
BAZUNA – SAINTS
Shots faced: 144
Saves: 90
Save %: 62.50 (20th percentile)
Goals prevented: -11.52
GUNN – NORWICH
Shots faced: 166
Saves: 114
Save %: 68.67 (56th percentile)
Goals prevented: +4.55
PALMER – WBA
Shots faced: 158
Saves: 108
Save %: 68.35 (54th percentile)
Goals prevented: 1.90
Above is the data from all top 6 clubs last season.
CONCLUSION:
Looking at the data, we can still get promoted with Meslier in net. Bazuna and Hladky both had poor goals prevented stats and ranked lower than Mes with their save percentages, yet went on to be promoted.
Meslier appears to be just below average for the league in regards to his own stats. Whilst he also faced the least shots of the entire top 6.
PERSONAL OPINION:
We can certainly improve on Meslier and I would like that in the future. He doesn’t instill confidence and, for me, he is an unreliable shot stopper. Currently it seems unlikely we move for another goalkeeper this season, so strap yourselves in as, if history is anything to go by, he will likely make things nervy for us.
Written by Dillinger August 14 2024 09:52:36
