Alert: OFFICIAL: Xherdan Shaqiri Career Deaththread AND Shaqiri Nutrider Thread

Go EPL.

 

I don't think anyone questions Shaqiri's ability, he's clearly "quality"...nor do I think anyone would describe him as "making too many runs".

In spirit of this thread's title "nutrider"...

The CAM in the 4-2-3-1 is "the key player", even more so with Ezra's "everything runs through Shaqiri" approach, and when Shaqiri isn't where he should be, and mentally disengaged, he limits his impact and the team ceiling. His time spent walk-pouting and complaining to the official has to become "rare"...or we will remain a non-playoff team while he is here.

Last night was a notable workrate improvement, over the last 3 games, but the amount of times he effectively quits (because of a turnover, a pass he doesn't agree with, or a call that isn't called) is a very different complaint than "not pressing enough" and "not making enough runs".

Regarding the attack, the 4-2-3-1 is a fine formation and Shaqiri is a solid choice for the CAM. What hasn't worked is 1) Shaqiri has yet to build rapport with anyone other than (maybe) Mueller and 2) the winger/outside-back play isn't clicking. Mueller and Sekulic have shown worthy quality, but Torres and (offensively) Navarro remain with clear work to do...which means coordination challenges on both sides...add in Shaqiri's sometimes in the right place and no one knows when the wingers are going to invert or stay wide...resulting in the outside backs either making runs and ending up out of position, or making delayed runs that don't work.

As it stands, we no longer have a clear pattern of play, minimal service for the striker, still don't have a dangerous pair of wingers, and Miggy is still "a project" on offense (but is improving and deserves credit on one of last nights goals).

So, sure, we could improve some of the pieces around him, but if Shaqiri would simply step up his workrate, it would make everyone around him (enough) better to the point (I believe) this team would make the playoffs without any other changes.

 

He doesn't run any less than Blanco, and does more to win the ball.

 

It's not Shaqiri, it's everyone else

 

About right, but it was "easier" to "big dog stroll" in those days...the league has matured a lot since then.

Gimenez being out puts it all on Shaqiri and it has made Shaq's mediocre workrate more obvious.

 

I can handle a more Blanco like work rate from Shaq if he would 1. stop arguing/whining with refs all the freakin time and 2. he Has to make the players around him better/play better himself or 3..actually use him and players in right formation/tactical approach. It seems obvious his passing can be world class and scoring pretty good and he gets a lot of attention from opposing defenses but unless given the tools around him...or have the ability to lead them to a better place...lot of money for little reason.

 

I’ve had a few drinks so I don’t want to make a mockery of the thread or discussion, but I am so excited by these divergent and rational views on Shaqiri. I’ll digest these (and the wine) but damn, it’s not nice to see vested, intelligent responses.

PS Mods = Balls

 

It's such an ask....for Shaqiri to mix with the the bourgeoisie...you'd think for 8mil he might at least want to produce enough to be in the weekly discussion.

 

31 team goals (including a couple of PKs) measures up as LAST IN THE LEAGUE.

Xherdan's SOT% is 23.8%

Gaston (CDM) has played 300 less minutes and has 1 more SOT than Xherdan.

Half of the smallest amount in the league...not impressed.

 

Both the last two posts say a lot about the overall dilemna of the team this season. They are Both correct posts.

 

Shaqiri 'pads his numbers' with PKs and freekicks...which should help his SOT%, ya?


Shaqiri (1984min) 42 shots w/10 on target. 2 PK&10 freekicks...23.8% on target.

Gaston (1695min) 30 shots w/11 on target, 1 freekick....36.7% on target.

Shaqiris numbers should be "well above" Gaston's...especially since he's "not worthy" of being a DP

 

[QUOTE="xtomx, post: 40778749, member: 17201"
Look, I know you are new here . . . [/QUOTE]
I don't think he's so new, but I won't tell.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong...this IS the Shaqiri "nut rider" thread...right?

And yes, being the designated PK/FK taker *should* make your numbers look better.

 

The only thing that makes the numbers look better is scoring goals.

 

Yay. More anonymous snipers.

 

I joined in May 2022 and initially posted in July...was I expected to post an introduction? Figured most would recognize my profile name, as it's the same one I use across all the boards.

Regarding "padding"....with the exception of Chicharito, PKs are scored 80+% of the time. So, if you are the designated PK taker your total goals number should be better than those that don't take them....and it certainly makes your total goals "look better". Less so with FKs, but as the designated taker...and a specialist...you (should) get more SOT & goals.

2 of Shaqiri's 5 goals are from PKs...otherwise he's tied with Czichos with 3 npGs. On top of that, I don't think any of his 10 FKs have generated anything (G or A)...they should have, but the majority are either kicked into someone's shins or well over the goal.

MLS stats indicate the Miami game helped Shaqiri's SOT% climb up from 22.5% to 27.3%. Maybe those 10 poor freekicks are pad/sinking this stat LOL

He doesn't suck, but he certainly isn't producing at an 8mil former EPL/Bundesliga DP level. Nice to see him stepping the workrate against Miami, but it's been missing all season and still not at the level he's capable of.


FWIW, in 185 less total minutes our castout Djordje has 8npG & 4A, & his SOT% is 59%. Djordje's also has 25 tackles to Shaqiri's 10.

We are paying 8mil for about the same production we wouldn't pay $750k for...that said, Shaqiri does pout and complain more than Djordje...didn't see that coming.

Nutriding\

 

PKs are made ~80% of the time because you have to pick someone capable of making them +80% of the time. Free Kicks and Penalty Kicks are a skill. I feel like Duron might not make as many PKs as Shaqiri, at least not yet. So it’s a skill and Shaqiri is probably our best at it. There’s nothing else to say and no reason to downplay PKs.

As to his cost, it’s irrelevant to the cap and budget. It’s been discussed here many times but after sucking for so long, overpaying for talent might be necessary. That’s just where we find ourselves. There might be a better player out there at that price, but they’re not coming here.

 

Why would Shaqiri’s xGA (yes, it’s listed for individuals but not the team) be far worse this last game than the three that preceded it if he was more active and had a better work rate this past game? Honest question. It seems counterintuitive. Unfortunately I don’t know any site that lists distance covered.

EDIT: Probably minutes played.

 

FWIW, I didn't invent the idea that PKs unduly influence the stats...G+A-PK & npxG+xA (np = non-penalty) are tracked stats to help compare apples to apples.

The point about his cost is relevant to the expectation of his ability and performance...top shelf players should cost more and perform better.

Interestingly we are getting Djordje level performance from Shaqiri...I for one expected more.