Welcome to The Debrief, a Sky Sports column where Adam Bate combines data and insights to analyze key stories from recent Premier League matches. This week:
- Nottingham Forest’s style transformation
- Life for Crystal Palace without dribblers
- Leeds’ new game-changer
Postecoglou’s Impact on Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest controlled 63.3% of possession during their recent 1-1 draw against Burnley, marking their highest possession in a Premier League match since returning to the league in 2022. The influence of Ange Postecoglou on the team is already clear.
Elliot Anderson completed 98 successful passes and Oleksandr Zinchenko recorded 88 in his first start for Forest. No player has surpassed 80 successful passes in Forest’s four seasons back in the Premier League, indicating a shift towards a more passing-oriented style.
Significant Changes in Passing Metrics
This game marked the first time Forest completed over 500 passes in a Premier League match since their return, breaking the previous record of 484 achieved in a home loss to Everton during Steve Cooper’s tenure. The contrast under Nuno Espirito Santo is notable.
Analyzing the data reveals a dramatic shift under Postecoglou. Forest engaged in 24 passing sequences of ten or more during the Burnley match, six more than any previous game over the last four seasons. Comparing this to their prior matches highlights a pivotal change in tactics.
Crystal Palace Adapts to Life Without Dribblers
Crystal Palace is adapting to new methods under Oliver Glasner, evolving from a team centered on dribbling excitement to a more structured approach. With the departures of players like Wilfried Zaha, Michael Olise, and Eberechi Eze, the team has transformed significantly.
Palace, which ranked among the top four for successful dribbles in past seasons, has now dropped to the bottom in this metric. However, they have found success without relying on dribbling, illustrated by their wing-backs and the emergence of Jean-Philippe Mateta as a proficient target man.
Noah Okafor: Leeds’ New Wild Card
Noah Okafor showcased his potential in Leeds’ 3-1 victory over Wolves, attempting 14 dribbles—a season high. While only 6 of these were successful, he scored Leeds’ third goal, proving his capability as a difference maker.
Signed for £18 million from AC Milan, Okafor has room for growth but can complement Dominic Calvert-Lewin effectively. Newly promoted teams require standout players to secure necessary points, and Leeds seems to have found a key player in Okafor amidst a struggling Wolves lineup lacking game-changers.
