Intersting stats for tackling. I thought he got pushed off the ball too easily. not really desirable in the back line!
[/quote]There's a stat for "duels/duels won" - I'm not really sure what that means specifically but I guess it's 50/50 situations and times when opposition have attempted to tackle our player? (this is off the club website btw)
A-Rod - 230/113
Dura - 178/105
Siggy - 236/151
Lia - 164/71
Roly - 414/182
Manny - 271/133
Riera - 256/146
Again, he's pretty similar to Lia, Riera and Manny in terms of the ratio.
I know I spend a bit of time on here defending A-Rod with statistics but it just seems that there's a general impression that he doesn't bring much to the team when I think he does. I think he's very calm and composed and never tries anything really fancy, and is never really in the position to make spectacular tackles or blocks, so it's easy to forget what he brings to the team, which is generally solid play, accurate passing, good positioning, and a big engine.
I think he brings a lot to the team - though the latter half of last season he was mostly poor. Expected considering it was his first proper pro season at the senior level. I was hoping he would get a good pre season under his belt and really push on this season which doesn't seem to be happening.
In saying that, I think he did get pushed off the ball very easily and perhaps the stats don't tell the full story there.
\[quote=Jeff Vader]
I think he brings a lot to the team. I rate him highly but the general football populous believe that unless you are doing back heels, juggling with your left testicle or running through a whole team, then you are invisible and do nothing.
This is another opinion that maybe only one person on this entire forum actually had. Most were calling for Lia to be dropped in favour of A-Rod.