SAME OLD CITY" : THE NERDIC INDICATOR
For the past seven seasons, I have convened an assessment of long-standing problems that had never seemed properly to be resolved; the sort of performance weaknesses that ought to have been capable of improvement with top class coaching . I tracked these to see whether I could demonstrate a measurable improvement; and the results did show a number of areas where we were doing much better - and others where familiar problems remained. I have edited the list in line with suggestions posted on the board.
Each measure was scored (by me) on a scale 0 to 1 (where 1 is worst) then totalled to generate a composite metric. I reckoned a score of less than 9 represented an improvement.
I've made one further change, removing 'failure of midfield to cover for defenders going forward' which in practice tends to be duplicated in the following item; and replacing it with 'falling asleep at corners and free-kicks) which was a noticeable problem last season.
a.our goalkeeper failing to come out for crosses – or missing them.
I reckon Joe could have got to the Savic misheader, but not Bale's goal - score 0.4
b.. our back four allowing an opponent a free header from a corner or free-kick.
No free headers offered; not that Defoe or Van de Vart could have done anthing anyway. 0.0
c. our defenders hoofing long balls beyond our midfield.
Good play out of defence by Savic in the first half; but lost it in the secon; much too much long kicking - score 6.0
d. defenders getting caught upfield after making attacking runs.
Micah well judged, but Savic twice in the second half - for the goal, and for the near goal. If you lose the ball upfield, you must burst a lung to get back to your goal . - score 1.0.
e. centre-halves losing concentration, and failing to pick up the forward run of an opposing attacker
For 89 minutes (apart from the first goal), Defoe was uselessness incarnate; but then he was nearly allowed on the end of Bale's cross. - score 0.4
f.. our defensive midfield failing to pick up the "second ball" cleared by our defence.
Barry and Milner generally did a good defensive job, just lost a bit of 
towards the end - score .0.3
g.. midfield and defence conceding unnecessary free-kicks/penalties through bringing opposing forwards down.
Lescott once - score 0.1
.h. our midfield squandering possession when not under pressure,
Kept it tight in the first half; but once we started attacking, got a bit sloppy. - . score .0.3
i. falling asleep at corners and free-kicks.
Not caught out at all - score 0.0
j. - Our full backs getting forward and making good crosses, attacking passes and overlap.
Strong attacking play from Micah, and very accomplished from Clichy.. 0.0
k. Wasting our own corners by over/under hitting, or sending the ball too close to the opposing keeper .
A couple of poor corners ealy on, then we scored from one . .0.0
l. wasting free kicks in attacking positions.
Coolest penaly taker ever; but otherwise no free kick opportunities to speak of. score 0.1
m. mistimed forward ball/forward run - resulting in an off-side call against us
Only one offside. score 0.1
n. failure to hold the ball up/losing possession when attacking
Excellent from Aguero and Silva again; Dzeko and Mario less so. 0.2
o. failing to score from one-on-ones
Nasri made it look so easy - score 0.0.
p. failure to run into space when we are attacking
Dzeko worked hard, but Nasri and Silva were the ones with a footballilng brain. 0.0
q. trying to walk the ball into the net.
Still a bit inclined to pass when should have shot, but then Lescott did walk the ball into the net. - score 0.0
r. wasting opportunities to attack on the break.
Still too slow building up; though improved with Mario on. score 0.4
s. Central midfield allowing attacking players to run into space between them and defenders.
In principle, we should not have lest Bale have a sniff of goal; though that was a fanatastic hit. score 0.4
t. Failure of midfield to provide attacking options for wide players to cross to..
Nasri's best performance for us, and pretty good from Silva and Aguero. - score 0.0
u, midfielders holding the ball too long
Much too laboured in the first half; though Spuds were even worse. Better in the second - score 0.2
v. inaccurate or overlong crossing
Good from Micah, Nasri and Clichy, . - score .0.1
w. Over-late or like-for-like substitutions when we are chasing the game.
Mario was the right move, but Ned should have been on for Savic. . 0.5
x. failure of the crowd to get behind the team.
Really good crowd; lots of noise and banter. Especially "Tomorrow your going down" . - score 0.0
Total 5.1.
Swansea 4.3, Wigan (not marked), Everton 6.4, Villa (not marked), Wolves 7.4, Toon 6.3, Norwich 5.1, Arsenal 5.3, Stoke 2.9, Liverpool 8.0
This was one we had to win, as did Spuds; and we ended up with all the points. But our first half was poor and lacking in bite, and Spuds were far worse. Aside from Defoe's goal, and his near goal at the end, all their shots were from way out. Unfortunately for us, one went in. Outr second half performance was nearly back to our best; and if we hadn't conceded a sloppy goal, I thin we would have won with plenty to spare.
In the second half, Spuds did get at Savic. He does press forwards too freely, and then doesn't get back to cover. Against Wigan, Mancin brought on Ned to go three at the back; and that is exactly where he failed this time. We need somene who can cover back and mark the runners.
The midfield, on the other hand, worked a dream; outstanding from both Milner and Nasri; with top class playmaking from Silva, and good defensive play from Barry.
It was up front we failed to dominate the game. Dzeko did his pinching the shot trick; and it was even less funny the second time round. Aguero holds the ball up superbly; but does tend not to see the killer pass. Mario saved the day, but could have got much more if he head been a bit more focussed.
Last Season
Liverpool (not marked), Blackburn 8.8, Chelsea 7.6, Toon 11.3, Arsenal 11.3, Rags 10.4, Brum 10.5, Bolton 8.9, Everton 12.7, Villa 4.7, Blackpool 9.3, Wolves 9.3, West Brom 8.1, Fulham 14.5, Wigan 8.9, Sunderland 4.1, Wham 9.1. Spurs 11.9, Stoke 5.7.
Previous seasons
Wolves 9.3, Arsenal 7.5, Wham (not marked), Fulham 12.7, Burnley 11.9, Hull (not marked), Chelsea 5.7, Sunderland 8.6, Stoke 7.6, Blackburn 5.8, Pompey 11.5, Bolton 9.3 Everton(not marked) Wigan (not marked), Brum 4.8, rags 8.6, Villa 6.4, Spurs 10.5
Wham, 7.3, Chelsea 11.8, Pompey 5.2, Scousers 9.1, Stoke 6.6, Spurs 9.6, Arsenal 8.2, Rags 11.4., Everton 14.6, Hull 7.4, Wigan 8.9 Toon 6.9. Boro 9.2, Villa 6.1, Sunderalnd 8.4., Fulham 13.0
West Brom 8.9., Blackburn 8.2. Bolton 7.8
Rags 11, Villa 8.4, Toon 3.6, Boro 4.0, Brum 7.8, Sland (not marked), Reading 9.8, Bolton 10.6, Blackburn 7.9, Liverpool 12.2. Wham 13.3, Arsenal 14.2. Rags again 5.7, Everton 14.7, Wigan 13.1, Spuds 11.3, Chelsea 10.9, Pompey 8.4, Fulham 13.3
Pompey 13.1, Arsenal 7.2, Wham 5.2. Blades 12.4, Boro 8.0, Toon 10.2, Fulham 7.6, Watford 11.6, Spurs 13.0, Bolton (not marked), Everton 7.8, Blackburn 11.2, Reading 12.7, Wigan 15.6, Chelsea 9.8,
Charlton 12.2, Villa 16.6, Rags 12.5
Baggies 11.5, Pompey 9, Rags (away) 5.6, Everton 12.4, Wham 6.7, Villa 4.9, Blackburn 10.6, Pool 11.0, Brum 5.3, Chelsean 8.0, Spurs 12.6, rags 8.6, Toon 4.5, Charlton 6.0, Sland 7.9, Boro 14.6 Fulham 9.9 , Arse 8.6)
Fulham 6.7, Charlton 9.1 Everton 14.2, Arsenal 9.9, Chelsea 5.9, Norwich 13.0, Blackburn 11.8, Villa 4.2, Spuds 9.1, Baggies 6.9, Saints 11.1, Palace 7.0, Toon 8.5, rags 9.5, Bolton 10.2, Pool 6.0, Brum 6.9, Pompey 5.2, Boro 7.2