Numbers Game - Sakala

[SecondBestIsNothing]

Not really, if you grasp what I was saying. It’s just that the context of the goals is very important, that’s why I mentioned context in my post. The concept seems to be lost on many though.

Windass is a good example of the same thing. Never heard the end of it RE how good his stats were. When you look at the break down (which real football coaches and analysts will do btw, not that they have the knowledge of experience of your average FF punter), then it’s not that impressive.

But he’s scored important goals last season, whether they were an equaliser, a winner or even to kill teams off (something we struggled with). So this concept/context talk just doesn’t make sense.

You bring up Windass, who actually is quite a good example to bring up. When he left, many said we never replaced him & they were right.

Not everyone has to be Starting XI superstars, but if enough squad players play their part by contributing some goals & assists, we will win the league. That’s how we won 55.

 

[bearmind]

I thought Sakala deserved to come on in the second half versus the Belgians with his pace. Matondo was just not cutting the mustard. No problem there Matondo was thrown in at the deep end and needs time.

There again, I thought Arfield, our form player and scorer against Livi should have come on too or even started the game.

We cannot afford to let Sakala leave with Roofe being made of glass and Colak and Matondo needing time to settle.

 

[George Atasda]

The other thing to consider is how the rest of the team find playing with him. I've seen Tav, Goldson and others look annoyed at Sakalas inability to run into space or follow simple instructions. It may be that or that he's simply not relied upon to play within a rigid system. But maybe that's the point, maybe the rigid system is problem...

 

[BlueSevenTwo]

The other thing to consider is how the rest of the team find playing with him. I've seen Tav, Goldson and others look annoyed at Sakalas inability to run into space or follow simple instructions. It may be that or that he's simply not relied upon to play within a rigid system. But maybe that's the point, maybe the rigid system is problem...

And maybe others should concentrate on their own game , Goldson could learn how to pick out a team mate from 5 yards.

 

[BlueSevenTwo]

I thought Sakala deserved to come on in the second half versus the Belgians with his pace. Matondo was just not cutting the mustard. No problem there Matondo was thrown in at the deep end and needs time.

There again, I thought Arfield, our form player and scorer against Livi should have come on too or even started the game.

We cannot afford to let Sakala leave with Roofe being made of glass and Colak and Matondo needing time to settle.

Think Arfield will be most effective as an impact player , can’t see him as a 90 minute man.

 

[Kirkhillbear]

I don't get the shit Sakala gets either, he did fine last season, he will improve imo

 

[Garrison Defender]

I honestly thought he must be injured. The game in Belgium was begging for his energy.

 

[BlueSevenTwo]

I honestly thought he must be injured. The game in Belgium was begging for his energy.

Any energy would have been a plus.

 

[rock lobster]

Sakala runs at defences, which they hate. I'd play him from the start next week if Kent isn't fit.

 

[George Atasda]

And maybe others should concentrate on their own game , Goldson could learn how to pick out a team mate from 5 yards.

I’d rather they did both

 

[JRei8790]

Its been done to death on here Fashion. At least we know your log in.

Lay off the forum and practice your first touch, control and finishing.

The stats are there for you Mr Stevie Wonder

 

[Pirlo]

But he’s scored important goals last season, whether they were an equaliser, a winner or even to kill teams off (something we struggled with). So this concept/context talk just doesn’t make sense.

You bring up Windass, who actually is quite a good example to bring up. When he left, many said we never replaced him & they were right.

Not everyone has to be Starting XI superstars, but if enough squad players play their part by contributing some goals & assists, we will win the league. That’s how we won 55.

None of that has anything to do with the general point I was making about taking numbers at face value and without any context. I did a little break down of his goals on a previous thread, obviously didn’t go down well with a few but then that’s to be expected. To some fans a striker with a tally of 10 goals from penalties is as good as a striker with a tally of 10 goals from open play.

And Windass is shite, his tally looked great until you looked at the percentage of his goals that were scored against cannon fodder and sides in the leagues below us.

 

[Dotty_84]

With Kent out we were screaming out for Sakala and Matondo to start, both proven scorers against Belgian teams. Sure Matondo was very poor but we had nothing down the left and possibly Sakala being on that side could have freed up Matondo and Tav.

I like Sakala, I don't hide it and I've stuck up for him plenty of times. And sometimes I see him and think f*ck me you can't control or pass the ball at times. But when he does control the ball and is running, he's electric, he causes panic and sometimes even just that creates goals.

He's doing a Katic/Itten where he wants to stay and fight but it's only delaying the inevitable. I can see why Gio doesn't play him as basics are vital, I think tactically Wright is more adept also.

Would love him to have a 5-7 game run.

 

[Sir_Ainsley_Harriott]

Regardless what happens with Sakala he will have a better career than Wright who will end up back to the Sheep etc, no idea why Gio persists with him at all tbh.

Sakala is a strange player, just so inconsistent. Suprised at those stats though tbf as they are on paper very good.

 

[dt17]

As much as all players can be frustrating.
I like him.

I love pace, it kills teams.
Even in the stuffy SFPL.

It's astonishing that given the Jizz fest over the George Michael tribute act, Sakala having played a lot less minutes - has better numbers.

I hope he stays.

This for me as well.

Gio seems hellbent on turning us into the slowest team in Scotland. Our defence is especially slow now that Bassey and Balogun have gone. We have zero pace in midfield. Kent is quick over a few yards, Wright isn't too bad and by all accounts Matondo is quick. Other than that our team are as slow as a week in the jail.

Sakala's pace is a constant threat.

 

[vicbex]

Was surprised Gio never used him.

Should start this weekend, but Gio doesn’t seem to fancy him, probably due to his lack of discipline but domestically it’s not really an issue.

He will cause havoc. Reminds me of Mane in style of play, obviously not as polished but he’ll score and create.

If we signed Mane he'd get slated on here for his "decision making".

 

[OnTheWay]

He's always at least dangerous and will find himself with an opportunity to score, or 2. The problem is his finishing but I would have gave him the call from the bench before Lawrence midweek.

 

[TPP]

What if I told you we have a player who scored 9 goals in just 13 league starts.

Who scored just 1 goal less in the league than the much talked about Jota and Abada?

A guy who scored against the dross and also scored in an Old Firm clash at the piggery.

You’d want that player in the team, you’d find a space for him.

I just don’t get the Sakala snobbery at all. He is a wide forward, the type that is coveted across the world right now. He is unrefined, he’s frustrating but he posts up numbers.

Rangers Report use a statistics model which predicts the outcome of the league championship. Pretty early on last season they reluctantly had to tip Celtic for the title as their xG completely dwarfed ours. They create a high volume of chances but they also take chances. The trend even already suggests it will be the same.

For me, we need goalscorers on the pitch. Quite frankly when you play 3 holding midfielders at times or 2 like we often do, then there is simply no excuse to not play a wide forward.

Sakala will score goals, create high quality chances as he attacks the box and this would boost the xG for the team overall.

Excellent post, GVB will keep playing Colak aka Itten until it’s to late again and he’ll then react to the backlash again and change it like post xmas break.

 

[Sir Know it All]

If we signed Mane he'd get slated on here for his "decision making".

Aye, that’s utter nonsense

Why in the name of f*ck is Mane even being mentioned

 

[vicbex]

Aye, that’s utter nonsense

Why in the name of f*ck is Mane even being mentioned

Im replying to a poster who said Sakala reminded him of Mane.

 

[Sir Know it All]

Im replying to a poster who said Sakala reminded him of Mane.

Fucking hell

same energy.

 

[ronadamus_prime]

It's quite funny seeing all the folk who were advocating we sell/loan him to Auxerre a few weeks ago, suddenly having the insight to know that he should have featured on Tuesday night. Not a dig at OP, I think he's right in a sense, Sakala has a role to play this season and I hope Gio sees it that way.

I really like Fashion, he's erratic but he's got some real flashes of brilliance interspersed in with that. That said, I totally understand why Gio didn't bring him on after we fell behind against USG. Fashion is careless on and off the ball, he loses it quite often and especially so in Europe (see Braga away). Gio was in damage limitation mode on Tuesday night. We were being picked off every time we lost the ball.

 

[ForGodForCountryForever]

For those saying he’s erratic, keep in kind he’s playing out of his favoured position mostly.

If Kent played on the RW or Morelos as a 10 would they not also be so?

The frustration is we will never see Fashion Jr get a run in his best position because, clear as day, GVB doesn’t trust him.

 

[Discombob]

You have to wonder if there's been words between Fashion and Gio after he was subbed on and then quickly subbed off in favour of penalty specialist Ramsay in Seville (considering Fashion is an actual penalty taker for his country).

It still boils my blood, so wouldn't surprise me if Fashion is still seething.

 

[MYR_93]

If we’re talking stats, then it’s 13 European appearances and ZERO goal contributions.

Domestically he’s fine to have in the team against your Motherwell’s and Livingston’s. But against European teams he’s been murder.

Can anyone give an example of a positive contribution in Europe from him?

 

[BlueSevenTwo]

You have to wonder if there's been words between Fashion and Gio after he was subbed on and then quickly subbed off in favour of penalty specialist Ramsay in Seville (considering Fashion is an actual penalty taker for his country).

It still boils my blood, so wouldn't surprise me if Fashion is still seething.

Can you blame the player if there were , looking back that’s up their with the shocking managerial decisions.

 

[two2tango]

The ones that really interest me are the folk who berate Ryan Kent for his "numbers" but also tell us Sakala isn't good enough, when his numbers are quite impressive. Not sure what these people want.

Sakala while not the best technically at least runs tries hard moves defenders about takes them on

Our front three Tuesday did none of that

I’d look at starting him Saturday the guys with the shirts done nothing to keep them

 

[Wang]

Sakala, Davis and Lowry could all do Wee jobs for us at times to get us out of the ruts we find ourselves in but sadly with Gio when you’re not in favour you’re invisible.

 

[Number Six]

What if I told you we have a player who scored 9 goals in just 13 league starts.

Who scored just 1 goal less in the league than the much talked about Jota and Abada?

A guy who scored against the dross and also scored in an Old Firm clash at the piggery.

You’d want that player in the team, you’d find a space for him.

I just don’t get the Sakala snobbery at all. He is a wide forward, the type that is coveted across the world right now. He is unrefined, he’s frustrating but he posts up numbers.

Rangers Report use a statistics model which predicts the outcome of the league championship. Pretty early on last season they reluctantly had to tip Celtic for the title as their xG completely dwarfed ours. They create a high volume of chances but they also take chances. The trend even already suggests it will be the same.

For me, we need goalscorers on the pitch. Quite frankly when you play 3 holding midfielders at times or 2 like we often do, then there is simply no excuse to not play a wide forward.

Sakala will score goals, create high quality chances as he attacks the box and this would boost the xG for the team overall.

Agree - we could do a lot worse than find a way to get him much more minutes

 

[Thornliebank_Bear]

Hes never going to be an EPL superstar(and posters on here love their EPL) but the lad gives us some pace, movement, aggression and work-rate. He will move centre backs around and put in a shift, its what we badly need at the moment.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

His pace and energy can see him create something out of nothing thats what I like about him, he is a good squad player and should be used more imo.

 

[GodSaveTheQueen]

Has to start if Kents out. Offers something different and certainly would have offered more than matondo the other night.

 

[PMB1872]

Rangers Report is a Twitter account worth paying a lot of attention to. xG and more importantly xGD (expected goal difference) is a good barometer of chance creation and keeping the door shut.

The stats backed up what we seen early foors with Gerrard last season: we weren’t creating enough chances and we were giving up too many chances (remember we conceded 1st in every game for like 10 games?)

And that latter point continues this season. 2 for 2.

 

[DonDraper]

What if I told you we have a player who scored 9 goals in just 13 league starts.

Who scored just 1 goal less in the league than the much talked about Jota and Abada?

A guy who scored against the dross and also scored in an Old Firm clash at the piggery.

You’d want that player in the team, you’d find a space for him.

I just don’t get the Sakala snobbery at all. He is a wide forward, the type that is coveted across the world right now. He is unrefined, he’s frustrating but he posts up numbers.

Rangers Report use a statistics model which predicts the outcome of the league championship. Pretty early on last season they reluctantly had to tip Celtic for the title as their xG completely dwarfed ours. They create a high volume of chances but they also take chances. The trend even already suggests it will be the same.

For me, we need goalscorers on the pitch. Quite frankly when you play 3 holding midfielders at times or 2 like we often do, then there is simply no excuse to not play a wide forward.

Sakala will score goals, create high quality chances as he attacks the box and this would boost the xG for the team overall.

Anyone who thinks you are going to get any better that’s prepared to sit on the bench well down the pecking order in the SPL is deluded. A great option who may or may not improve but is well worth the gamble. It’s that simple

 

[Sebo1872]

I wouldn't have started him to be honest but i certainly would have brought him on at some point especially given how badly Matondo was doing, we could have switched Tillman flank and put Sakala at LW just to try something different

 

[High Society]

And maybe others should concentrate on their own game , Goldson could learn how to pick out a team mate from 5 yards.

And stop blaming others when he’s made a bloomer!
Sakala scores goals, we don’t have many who do. He should always be on the pitch in the last 30mins if we’re needing a goal.
Gio has a tendency to throw you inexperienced Players in at the deep end and it doesn’t work….

Sands, Diablo, Matondo all poor early doors and Tillman was lost on the wing.

 

[Dashboard Jesus]

This for me as well.

Gio seems hellbent on turning us into the slowest team in Scotland. Our defence is especially slow now that Bassey and Balogun have gone. We have zero pace in midfield. Kent is quick over a few yards, Wright isn't too bad and by all accounts Matondo is quick. Other than that our team are as slow as a week in the jail.

Sakala's pace is a constant threat.

Agreed, feel that Sakala has been treated poorly by GVB.
I would play him next week against the Belgians if Kent doesn't make it.

 

[Baz]

Saturday seems like the type of game he should be getting.
Home game at Ibrox against newly promoted team. Kent injured or saved for midweek if he has recovered. Likely be Yilmaz first start so having a winger ahead who will cut inside and leave space for him to attack.
If Sakala can't play in that then there isn't really any point in keeping him.

 

[Blueper]

I think Gio doesn't see him as fitting into his style, he likes players to be very regimented in how they play their position with very little deviation. Sakala is chaos with legs, he doesn't have a lot of positional discipline, wants the ball ahead of him rather than to feet crucially doesn't offer much tracking back.

Those are the reasons Gio evidently doesn't think he suits the system, but why I personally really like him. He's incredibly raw and he will frustrate the life out of us with some of the chances he missed, but some of our best players in the last 20 years have been similar.

As the OP says, in a team that has a real lack of goals from wide areas and midfield he added very decent numbers last season from limited game time. Might be that the opinion of many fans towards him have been based on how he struggled to play the lone striker role in Europe towards the end of last season, rather than his domestic performances.

 

[A1bertz]

Sakala is a limited player which came through at times last season such as Braga away.

However, things do tend to happen when he is on, reminds me a little bit of Novo.

He is certainly not the answer to our problems but could do a job as a squad player.

He was limited when he was asked to play the role of Morelos. Yes. We don't have another who can play that role on our books.
He is absolutely fine in any wider role.
Things happen when he is on the pitch in his other roles.

We need to be able to still play without Morelos and Kent. If we can't, then we are fecked when they are out and fecked again more if and when they leave.

 

[A1bertz]

The other thing to consider is how the rest of the team find playing with him. I've seen Tav, Goldson and others look annoyed at Sakalas inability to run into space or follow simple instructions. It may be that or that he's simply not relied upon to play within a rigid system. But maybe that's the point, maybe the rigid system is problem...

We are all overthinking it.
We have a team full of players with deficiencies. They all have them. Tav: exposed when he's asked to Defend. Often throws in ridiculously useless crosses. Goldson: suffers from brain freeze and is largely responsible for our slow Turgid play. Hagi can't run. Jack is made of glass. McGregor doesnt come off his line. Kent doesn't score. McLaughlin isn't a great shit stopper. Sakala: yes he's rawer than this mornings 1st dump.

One thing they all have is deficiencies, deficiencies that are made up for in other areas.

Tav, his goals and assists are incredible. Goldson is remarkably consistent and always available. Hagi in s talented and creative. Jack is as good as we can get when fit. McGregor is a brilliant shot stopper capable of big big saves.
Kent creates space / threat and stretches teams. McLaughlin brings a calmness in commanding his box. Sakala despite his limitations causes teams problems and things happen when he's on the park in a position he is comfortable in.

 

[A1bertz]

It's quite funny seeing all the folk who were advocating we sell/loan him to Auxerre a few weeks ago, suddenly having the insight to know that he should have featured on Tuesday night. Not a dig at OP, I think he's right in a sense, Sakala has a role to play this season and I hope Gio sees it that way.

I really like Fashion, he's erratic but he's got some real flashes of brilliance interspersed in with that. That said, I totally understand why Gio didn't bring him on after we fell behind against USG. Fashion is careless on and off the ball, he loses it quite often and especially so in Europe (see Braga away). Gio was in damage limitation mode on Tuesday night. We were being picked off every time we lost the ball.

All what folk? Who wanted him loaned and sold and is now saying he should have started on Tuesday?

 

[Bluey]

I like Sakala, positive and always looking to get forward. Probably isn’t the best defensively when asked to track back in bigger games but definitely has a place in the squad.

 

[IbroxForever]

We need his pace in the team.

 

[Sir Know it All]

You bring up Windass, who actually is quite a good example to bring up. When he left, many said we never replaced him & they were right.

F*cking wit

We have had an undefeated league season and made a European Final since he left

Kamara bangs one in v Leipzip and this boy is thinking you know what we need here, Josh Windass.... FF at times is magical.

 

[SecondBestIsNothing]

F*cking wit

We have had an undefeated league season and made a European Final since he left

Kamara bangs one in v Leipzip and this boy is thinking you know what we need here, Josh Windass.... FF at times is magical.

Mental where you got all that from what I said, I was referring to the 2 seasons we won f*ck all & we weren't scoring enough goals.

We then signed players like Roofe, who added goals to our team & we won 55. Really bemused where you got the "Leizpip" thing from.

 

[Sir Know it All]

Mental where you got all that from what I said, I was referring to the 2 seasons we won f*ck all & we weren't scoring enough goals.

We then signed players like Roofe, who added goals to our team & we won 55. Really bemused where you got the "Leizpip" thing from.

Sound, so we have replaced him then because that is a f*ck lot clearer.

We scored more goals the season after Windass left than we did the season before and done so playing a far more logical and structured style of football and collecting more points than we did when Windass was here.... so aye, we were grand without him, he was p*sh and often f*cked the entire structure of what the TEAM was trying to achieve, which a bit like Sakala is apparently something some just totally overlook

 

[BrooklynBlue]

But he’s scored important goals last season, whether they were an equaliser, a winner or even to kill teams off (something we struggled with). So this concept/context talk just doesn’t make sense.

You bring up Windass, who actually is quite a good example to bring up. When he left, many said we never replaced him & they were right.

Not everyone has to be Starting XI superstars, but if enough squad players play their part by contributing some goals & assists, we will win the league. That’s how we won 55.

You can’t be serious suggesting Windass hasn’t been replaced or the team moved on significantly from his level?

 

[Calgacus]

Some say he runs about like a headless chicken, but pair him with a striker who doesn't move much and it might work.
I like him, particularly coming from the left as it favours not just his right foot, but also the way he hits the ball when shooting. He goes for power and cuts across the ballmost of the time, coming from the right can cause a poor contact to fly wide of the near post, but coming off the left gives him a better chance of a poor contact resulting in hitting the target (and wrongfooting the keeper).

 

[Born a Barras Hick]

He's the classic test of stats Vs the eyes test.

There's lies, damned lies and statistics and that saying holds good for football too.

He's a very likeable guy, but we shouldn't let that blind us to his shortcomings. Stats on some things like decision making and awareness (e.g. shoot or pass) , ball control, turnover of possession, positioning (how often does he drop deep when the team want him playing off the shoulder of the last defender?) might tarnish his positives somewhat. He's never struck me as someone that can take a game by the scruff of the neck, certainly not against quality opposition.

For me he has a lot to do to stake a strong claim to be a starter.