Matija Nastasic

[Chi-town blues]

For controlling the situation and heading the ball back to where his keeper should have been?

Nasty's got his eyes on the ball so once Hart comes, not that he should have ever decided to rush 25 yeards out of his goal, he should be yelling for Nastasic to leave it, which either didn't happen or Nastasic is unbelievably stupid.

Hart's fault entirely.

Hart messed up and there is no denying .Maybe Hart lost confidence with Nasty after the first goal .As a last defender he should've cleared the ball to row Z without any second thought.

Except we're not Stoke and we don't give the ball away when there's another option. Why would he give Chelsea a throw in our half, allowing them to possibly create a chance, when he could nod the ball back to his keeper so we retain possession and at worst, allow a big kick upfield which gives Chelsea possession in their own half?

SO what you are saying is ,there was more rick factory if he had kicked the ball out for throw in then what he did yesterday?

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

He's another player we have just overhyped. Still a good young player learning the ropes but far too much hyperbole that has got us to this point.

I'd turn that on its head and say it's people who are expecting him to put in Kompany-esque performances every week and then saying how overrated he is and how he'll only ever be decent are the ones that are causing more of an issue.

With Vinnie getting crocked far too frequently people have put a dependency on him to fill the captain's shoes and no young CB is going to be able to do that.

It's the people who criticize him but seemingly on the basis that he's not Vinnie level yet that's causing the issue.

 

[daztrueblue91]

Hart messed up and there is no denying .Maybe Hart lost confidence with Nasty after the first goal .As a last defender he should've cleared the ball to row Z without any second thought.

Except we're not Stoke and we don't give the ball away when there's another option. Why would he give Chelsea a throw in our half, allowing them to possibly create a chance, when he could nod the ball back to his keeper so we retain possession and at worst, allow a big kick upfield which gives Chelsea possession in their own half?

SO what you are saying is ,there was more rick factory if he had kicked the ball out for throw in then what he did yesterday?

It would be a bit rich for Hart to lose confidence in another player based on the way he's played this season.

And of course knocking the ball out for a throw is less risk but it should only be encouraged if in doubt. If Hart stayed where he should have been then it was a simple back pass.

 

[stonerblue]

Shit defending for Chelseas 2nd. Schoolboy stuff.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Shit defending for Chelseas 2nd. Schoolboy stuff.

As soon as Kompany is fit I would give him some time out of the first 11. He over performed last season and that blinkered the money men in the summer into thinking we didn't really need to spend big money on a CB. That was a mistake for me and Nastasic should currently be someone who plays 20 games a season, not the almost full season he gets. He has huge potential but that should be managed accordingly. Over use is not doing him or the team any favours.

 

[stonerblue]

Shit defending for Chelseas 2nd. Schoolboy stuff.

As soon as Kompany is fit I would give him some time out of the first 11. He over performed last season and that blinkered the money men in the summer into thinking we didn't really need to spend big money on a CB. That was a mistake for me and Nastasic should currently be someone who plays 20 games a season, not the almost full season he gets. He has huge potential but that should be managed accordingly. Over use is not doing him or the team any favours.

I like Nasty but think he is running before he's learned to walk properly so to speak.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Shit defending for Chelseas 2nd. Schoolboy stuff.

As soon as Kompany is fit I would give him some time out of the first 11. He over performed last season and that blinkered the money men in the summer into thinking we didn't really need to spend big money on a CB. That was a mistake for me and Nastasic should currently be someone who plays 20 games a season, not the almost full season he gets. He has huge potential but that should be managed accordingly. Over use is not doing him or the team any favours.

I like Nasty but think he is running before he's learned to walk properly so to speak.

He is and to be fair to him, that's not really his fault is it? It needs better management. Lescott is no world beater but he should have played a few more especially away from home.

This Jan/summer we must buy a top CB and a new left back. These are problem areas for us.

 

[Blue2112]

90% Hart's fault. Nasty for his part should at some point of checked on his keeper's position or shout out get back and at the very least by using his arm point out to where he's gonna put the ball. He did neither of the options available to him and that could have also included putting the ball into row z. I don't buy this he's too young stuff, he's played enough games throughout his career whilst reaching this level from a schoolboy. Where I will accept he's too young is for week after week of Premiership football including Champions League. This is football at it's highest level and arguably more intense than International football and he needs to adapt and be taken out of the firing line on occasions. The exact can be said of Hart who has played almost non stop from coming through as a kid.

 

[celticfc482]

Wasnt nastys faults, fact is its the 2nd time hart has run out all gung ho and cost goals. If he just stays in his box then its a simple header back but he always has to run out, youd of thought hed learn form last time.

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

Lescott is needed to settle the defence. Nastasic should play only when kompany does

Tackles per game:

Nastasic 1.7
Lescott 1.5
Kompany 1.5

Interceptions per game:

Lescott 1.5
Kompany 1.3
Nastasic 0.7

Fouls per game:

Nastasic 2
Lescott 0.5
Kompany 0.5

Clearances per game:

Nastasic 6.6
Lescott 5.3
Kompany 4.8

Players Dribbled past per game:

Lescott 1
Kompany 0.5
Nastasic 0.4

Blocked shots per game:

Nastasic 0.6
Lescott 0.5
Kompany 0.5

Average passes per game:

Lescott 58.8
Nastasic 46.9
Kompany 32.3

Pass completion per game:

Kompany 93.8%
Nastasic 91.5%
Lescott 89.4%

Accurate long passes per game:

Kompany 4.3
Nastasic 2.7
Lescott 2.3

So actually Lescott comes out better than Nastasic so far this season, though he has played 3 games less. So I guess you can really either say it's down to the perceived nervyness of Lescott on the ball (in other words his lack of conviction with the ball, as seen in the Everton game, as well as his lack of confidence due to lack of regular playing time) as the stats show he's doing well, but obviously they don't reflect game moments such as Nastasic at Chelsea and Villa and Lescott v Everton, or we can look at last season and see if that has had a noticeable bearing on this season's selections:

Apps

Kompany 26
Nastasic 21
Lescott 17(9)

Tackles per game

Kompany 2.1
Nastasic 1.5
Lescott 0.8

Interceptions per game

Kompany 1.7
Nastasic 1.2
Lescott 1

Fouls per game

Kompany 1.3
Nastasic 1.1
Lescott 0.3

Clearances per game

Kompany 6.8
Nastasic 6.1
Lescott 4.8

Players dribbled past per game

Nastasic 0.4
Lescott 0.3
Kompany 0.2

Blocked shots per game

Lescott 0.8
Nastasic 0.5
Kompany 0.5

Dispossessed per game

Kompany 0.1
Lescott 0.1
Nastasic 0.4

Average passes per game

Kompany 49.9
Nastasic 46.1
Lescott 31.7

Pass completion rate

Lescott 89.6%
Kompany 89.2%
Nastasic 86.9%

Successful long passes per game

Kompany 5
Nastasic 4
Lescott 1.1

So I think we can see that it was Nastasic's tendency to get stuck in a bit more and his passing range that gave him the edge last season, Noticeably however Nastasic's percentage of successful long balls has dropped while Lescott's has improved, and Nastasic's foul count has gone up, whilst Lescott is getting stuck in more. So they're actually a lot closer in terms of performance this season, but there are also mitigating factors like in the Everton game Everton set up so that Lescott kept being given the ball as they perceived being weaker with it, so he obviously made a higher amount of passes than normal. Up against Kompany though they're clearly secondary. Obviously Kompany's stats are weakened this season through his spells on the sideline but you can still tell his influence.

Ultimately I think to play Lescott you need 3 in midfield so he has enough short range options available to suit his passing range. With the move to 2 it's meant Pelle hasn't felt confident enough in playing him, especially when he makes a mistake like v Everton. Yesterday he could have done a fair job I think but he's now in the mind of the manager second fiddle to Nasty, who's underperforming but still has that greater range Lescott doesn't.

I think it would require the formation from yesterday on a regular basis for Lescott to feature more regularly in the side.

Not sure why no one has commented on this excellent post. The stats make for very interesting reading but I think the key to Pellegrini's preference for not playing Lescott is highlighted perfectly in your last paragraph. And I also agree that Lescott would probably have been a good choice yesterday with Garcia occupying the anchorman role and (theoretically at least) providing an easy pass for Lescott.

The gap between defence and midfield when we line up 4-2-2-2, especially if we lose the ball in the opposition's half with men committed forward, requires defenders more comfortable with the ball at their feet than Lescott, and he has really suffered because of his perceived lack of technical ability this season.

 

[cleavers]

I've watched a replay of yesterdays winner more times than I care for now, and I can't come to any other conclusion that Nastasic did everything right, he kept his eye on the ball, which was coming from behind and over his shoulder, and made sure he was between the attacker and the ball at all times. He heads the ball to the keeper safely as he heads it wide of the goal, he hadn't seen Hart coming as he didn't have time to look, there is only one player to blame and that is Hart. I have no idea what he thought he'd do when he got there, what was he going to do catch it ? 5 yards outside his box ? or maybe head it ? head it where ? to another on rushing Chelsea player ? He was never going to be able to kick it, so again what was his plan ? As a former member of the goal keepers union, it was just shit keeping, a very fundamental mistake for this level.

Nastasic was blameless, however, that doesn't mean he couldn't do with a break, he could, he needs to consolidate his position as a very talented young centre back, but he's still got lots to learn before he becomes anything like world class. If he's left in the firing line, there is a danger it will ruin him for the future.

 

[Blue2112]

I've watched a replay of yesterdays winner more times than I care for now, and I can't come to any other conclusion that Nastasic did everything right, he kept his eye on the ball, which was coming from behind and over his shoulder, and made sure he was between the attacker and the ball at all times. He heads the ball to the keeper safely as he heads it wide of the goal, he hadn't seen Hart coming as he didn't have time to look, there is only one player to blame and that is Hart. I have no idea what he thought he'd do when he got there, what was he going to do catch it ? 5 yards outside his box ? or maybe head it ? head it where ? to another on rushing Chelsea player ? He was never going to be able to kick it, so again what was his plan ? As a former member of the goal keepers union, it was just shit keeping, a very fundamental mistake for this level.

Nastasic was blameless, however, that doesn't mean he couldn't do with a break, he could, he needs to consolidate his position as a very talented young centre back, but he's still got lots to learn before he becomes anything like world class. If he's left in the firing line, there is a danger it will ruin him for the future.

And you can add to that if Hart wouldn't have poleaxed Nastasic then he might actually have been able to carry on running past Joe and beat Torres to the ball. Hart should have taken Torres out and got carded possibly red but he wasn't the last man, at worst got sent off and given away a free kick which we could have put Pants on for but instead he flattens his own teammate.

 

[cleavers]

I've watched a replay of yesterdays winner more times than I care for now, and I can't come to any other conclusion that Nastasic did everything right, he kept his eye on the ball, which was coming from behind and over his shoulder, and made sure he was between the attacker and the ball at all times. He heads the ball to the keeper safely as he heads it wide of the goal, he hadn't seen Hart coming as he didn't have time to look, there is only one player to blame and that is Hart. I have no idea what he thought he'd do when he got there, what was he going to do catch it ? 5 yards outside his box ? or maybe head it ? head it where ? to another on rushing Chelsea player ? He was never going to be able to kick it, so again what was his plan ? As a former member of the goal keepers union, it was just shit keeping, a very fundamental mistake for this level.

Nastasic was blameless, however, that doesn't mean he couldn't do with a break, he could, he needs to consolidate his position as a very talented young centre back, but he's still got lots to learn before he becomes anything like world class. If he's left in the firing line, there is a danger it will ruin him for the future.

And you can add to that if Hart wouldn't have poleaxed Nastasic then he might actually have been able to carry on running past Joe and beat Torres to the ball. Hart should have taken Torres out and got carded possibly red but he wasn't the last man, at worst got sent off and given away a free kick which we could have put Pants on for but instead he flattens his own teammate.

We'd used all our subs by then, so had he been red carded we'd have been a man light and no keeper, so we'd probably have lost anyway. I just can't see how any blame should be attached to Nastasic for that one.

 

[Blue2112]

I've watched a replay of yesterdays winner more times than I care for now, and I can't come to any other conclusion that Nastasic did everything right, he kept his eye on the ball, which was coming from behind and over his shoulder, and made sure he was between the attacker and the ball at all times. He heads the ball to the keeper safely as he heads it wide of the goal, he hadn't seen Hart coming as he didn't have time to look, there is only one player to blame and that is Hart. I have no idea what he thought he'd do when he got there, what was he going to do catch it ? 5 yards outside his box ? or maybe head it ? head it where ? to another on rushing Chelsea player ? He was never going to be able to kick it, so again what was his plan ? As a former member of the goal keepers union, it was just shit keeping, a very fundamental mistake for this level.

Nastasic was blameless, however, that doesn't mean he couldn't do with a break, he could, he needs to consolidate his position as a very talented young centre back, but he's still got lots to learn before he becomes anything like world class. If he's left in the firing line, there is a danger it will ruin him for the future.

And you can add to that if Hart wouldn't have poleaxed Nastasic then he might actually have been able to carry on running past Joe and beat Torres to the ball. Hart should have taken Torres out and got carded possibly red but he wasn't the last man, at worst got sent off and given away a free kick which we could have put Pants on for but instead he flattens his own teammate.

We'd used all our subs by then, so had he been red carded we'd have been a man light and no keeper, so we'd probably have lost anyway. I just can't see how any blame should be attached to Nastasic for that one.

Ah fair enough didn't realise that. I blame MP then for not keeping a sub back just in case ;-)

 

[baildon blue]

Nastasic was not to blame yesterday . But I would say he needs to improve . The facts are he looks a bit slow at making decisions . He cost us points at Aston Villa and Cardiff . I think he could do better and think he will .

 

[Rammy Blue]

I rate Nasty as a decent centre half however I never got involved with the wankathon there has been on here over him, he's been far too highly rated and has got a lot of work to do.

World class defenders have in the main got that extra bit of pace, like Vince, although that doesn't mean Nasty can't get to that level in the future.

We definitely need to get a top drawer acquisition made in Jan, it's been long overdue.

 

[johnmc]

It's Harts fault but just a little stay back signal with the hand as he was running back. I'd maybe expect that from an experienced defender but that's not attaching any blame to him as such. As it shouldn't have been needed anyway.

 

[stonerblue]

I've watched a replay of yesterdays winner more times than I care for now, and I can't come to any other conclusion that Nastasic did everything right, he kept his eye on the ball, which was coming from behind and over his shoulder, and made sure he was between the attacker and the ball at all times. He heads the ball to the keeper safely as he heads it wide of the goal, he hadn't seen Hart coming as he didn't have time to look, there is only one player to blame and that is Hart. I have no idea what he thought he'd do when he got there, what was he going to do catch it ? 5 yards outside his box ? or maybe head it ? head it where ? to another on rushing Chelsea player ? He was never going to be able to kick it, so again what was his plan ? As a former member of the goal keepers union, it was just shit keeping, a very fundamental mistake for this level.

Nastasic was blameless, however, that doesn't mean he couldn't do with a break, he could, he needs to consolidate his position as a very talented young centre back, but he's still got lots to learn before he becomes anything like world class. If he's left in the firing line, there is a danger it will ruin him for the future.

Why didn't he just head it before it bounced?

 

[Mancitychicago]

Nastasic will come good. No one has really heard of Thiago Silva until he was 25-26. Nastasic is 20. Relax guys. Yes maybe another great CB can be bought but it's not that bad. I understand that it does not matter how old the CB's are as long as they perform. However, he performs really well already and especially when he's with Kompany. Relax he will be world class within 2 years. He needs to establish his own authority in the back line and that is hard to do if he plays with Kompany. His mistakes will serve him for the long-term. I am not referring to the Chelsea game, that was completely Hart's fault btw.

 

[Matt the Giant]

I've watched a replay of yesterdays winner more times than I care for now, and I can't come to any other conclusion that Nastasic did everything right, he kept his eye on the ball, which was coming from behind and over his shoulder, and made sure he was between the attacker and the ball at all times. He heads the ball to the keeper safely as he heads it wide of the goal, he hadn't seen Hart coming as he didn't have time to look, there is only one player to blame and that is Hart. I have no idea what he thought he'd do when he got there, what was he going to do catch it ? 5 yards outside his box ? or maybe head it ? head it where ? to another on rushing Chelsea player ? He was never going to be able to kick it, so again what was his plan ? As a former member of the goal keepers union, it was just shit keeping, a very fundamental mistake for this level.

Nastasic was blameless, however, that doesn't mean he couldn't do with a break, he could, he needs to consolidate his position as a very talented young centre back, but he's still got lots to learn before he becomes anything like world class. If he's left in the firing line, there is a danger it will ruin him for the future.

This post gives more than an opinion, this is a fact.