Dubravka

[Jammy89]

Good article about Dubravka, it's only 6 games but they are some good stats as well

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The arrival of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on loan from Sparta Prague in January has proved to be an important moment of Newcastle United's season.

Four wins in six matches since the Slovakia international came into the side have taken the Magpies up to 10th place.

Now only two points shy of 40, Rafa Benitez’s men must believe a home win over Arsenal this Sunday would all but secure their Premier League status.

Replacing Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow, who had shared goalkeeping duties across the first 26 matches, Dubravka immediately stamped his mark.

He had an impressive debut at home against Manchester United, as Newcastle won 1-0, and has since produced a string of assured displays while keeping two more clean sheets.

Confident and commanding
One of Dubravka’s great strengths is his command of his penalty area.

When crosses are sent into into the box, the 29-year-old is much more confident than his goalkeeping team-mates at claiming the ball.

This was an area that Elliot particularly struggled with. On average he makes half the number of catches, while in 16 starts he failed to claim four crosses that he came out for.

Statistically, Dubravka is in fact the most prolific taker of crosses in the competition. This strong presence and assertiveness has helped relieve pressure at key moments.

Most high claims per match 2017/18
GK Club Succ. claims per match Total
Martin Dubravka NEW 1.7 10
Nick Pope BUR 1.4 41
Lukasz Fabianski SWA 1.2 38
Mat Ryan BHA 0.9 30
Petr Cech ARS 0.9 29
Ben Foster WBA 0.9 29

He has not been overworked but, when called upon, Dubravka has made a number of fine reaction saves.

Three stand out. On his debut he sensationally denied Anthony Martial in a one v one, and he has made spectacular stops to thwart Steve Cook and Dejan Lovren from set-pieces.

His speed and decisiveness as a "sweeper keeper" must also have attracted Benitez in recruiting him.

Dubravka’s willingness to come out of his area and clear danger has allowed Newcastle to push forward and play further up the pitch.

Reliable shield
It should also be noted that the Slovak has benefited from consistent team selection. Benitez's back four has been unchanged across the last six PL matches.

Paul Dummett, Florian Lejeune, Jamaal Lascelles and DeAndre Yedlin have formed a solid rearguard that appears to offer their goalkeeper better protection than at any other stage of the season.

Dubravka averages 1.5 saves per appearance, compared with 3.5 for Darlow and 2.8 for Elliot.

Interestingly, neither of the current back-up goalkeepers have made a single appearance in 2017/18 behind the current back four.

Free-scoring Arsenal will certainly not find it easy to break down Newcastle's defence, or beat Dubravka, on Sunday.

How Newcastle's goalkeepers compare

Elliot Darlow Dubravka
Matches 16 10 6
Clean sheets 3 2 3
Mins per goal conceded 68.6 60 108
Saves/90 2.8 3.5 1.5
Save success rate 67.7% 70.0% 64.3%
Succ. high claims 13 9 10
Punches 9 3 2
Succ. sweeper clearances/90 0.62 0.1 0.83


Edit: I have sorted the tables out and when i go in to edit them they are all formatted and easy to read. Don't know why they are not in post.

Here is link so that people can see it clearly - https://www.premierleague.com/news/6...tleStatsFBpage

[Zippity]

Good stuff, Jammy.

A lot of us wondered about needing a 'keeper when we thought other areas were far more pressing but it just goes to show how important a good 'keeper can be. The key for me is the way he comes for crosses-set pieces used to be a huge weakness of ours. His communication and distribution are better too. Huge upgrade on Darlow and Elliot.

[Jammy89]

Good stuff, Jammy.

A lot of us wondered about needing a 'keeper when we thought other areas were far more pressing but it just goes to show how important a good 'keeper can be. The key for me is the way he comes for crosses-set pieces used to be a huge weakness of ours. His communication and distribution are better too. Huge upgrade on Darlow and Elliot.

Agreed.

He has won us points on his own. With Darlow/Elliot i'm sure we'd of only got a point against Man Utd.

I know he's had a settled defence but they look so much more confident in trusting him behind them, as you said Zip, his communication is key to that.

[Cannylad]

Must admit, I thought Rafa was losing it when his first priority was a goalie, experience always tells doesn't it ? All hail Rafa !!

[waalsendmick]

I was disappointed when we didn't get a new keeper back in August.

neither Elliot nor darlow are premier league keepers.

they're both good lads and both good shot stoppers, but the best keepers make less saves, because their commanding play changes the shape of the game in front of them.