I actually agree that I think he will come on leaps and bounds for us, even in the list where he is 34th in the expected assists per 90 category, he would still be the 4th best in our team behind Candeias, John and Tav and above Windass and Miller and that's when playing for Hamilton.
Having the likes of El Buffalo and others to target up front for us means I can see him jumping up the analytics tables in this category quickly even with less minutes. But more important is the impact he could have as a midfield playmaker...
When you look at the linked post:
https://therangersreport.com/2017/1...aymaking-midfielders-in-the-spfl-this-season/
Although the original article urges patience... the post above highlights the following:
There is one more critical playmaking stat to consider.
Relative Scoring Chance Key Passes per 90
These are the Key Passes that set up the best kind of shots…shots that historically have a higher success rate then your typical shot. These aren’t just any shot…these are Scoring Chances.
Scoring Chances are kicked shots from the heart of the box & kicked or headed shots from within the six yard box. The players who are consistently setting up teammates with these kinds of chances are the kinds of playmakers that change games.
- Scott Allan, Dundee +0.90
- Stuart Armstrong, Celtic +0.84
- Ali Crawford, Hamilton +0.68
- Daniel Candeias, Rangers +0.57
- Elliot Frear, Motherwell +0.50
- Chris Cadden, Motherwell +0.43
- Dom Thomas, Kilmarnock +0.36
- Scott Sinclair, Celtic +0.36
- Ryan Christie, Aberdeen +0.34
- Blair Spittal, Partick +0.33
- Brandon Barker, Hibs +0.32
- Stefan Scougall, St Johnstone +0.28
- Connor Randall, Hearts +0.27
- Michael O’Halloran, St Johnstone +0.25
- Greg Tansey, Aberdeen +0.23
- Jordan Jones, Kilmarnock +0.22
- Liam Craig, St Johnstone +0.22
- Greg Docherty, Hamilton +0.21
- Josh Windass, Rangers +0.21
- Gary Mackay-Steven, Aberdeen +0.20
Most of the players on this list influence the matches from the flanks – but the top three are each central midfielders.
From a Rangers point of view, this is what has been missing from the team this season. A true playmaker – dictating play from a central role. The highest Relative Scoring Chance Key Passes per 90 for a player in that role is Jason Holt with..(wait for it)…..-0.01. He averages slightly less then the average for Rangers midfielders & wingers.
...
But,
any scouting list of Scottish Premiership playmakers should include 21-year old Greg Docherty. While Crawford is the main playmaker for Hamilton,
Docherty’s youth is what adds a level of intrigue for any team looking to upgrade their midfield. (26/12/217)
I personally think he will grasp this opportunity to become a mainstay in midfield for his boyhood team as soon as he gets the chance and will force Holt (who I really like and played brilliantly against the sheep) out of the team once he gets settled in, as the stats show, he has incredible potential to become the midfield playmaker we have been crying out for... but we do still need to give him time to make this happen.