Tactical review: Players saving their best shots

Adrian Clarke takes a look at tactical trends that took place in 2017/18. 

Shots continuing to fall 

The 2017/18 was one defined by wonderful attacking play. The record 106 goals scored by Manchester City; the exceptional finishing of Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane, the first time two players scored more than 30 goals in a 38-match season.

Yet in terms of the number of shots across the 380 matches, there was a record low. But the decline in quantity was replaced by an ever-improving quality. 

The drop in shots should not come as a surprise. The Premier League shot-count has dropped year-on-year since a peak of 29.1 shots per match in 2010/11.

Shots per match

Seven-year decline

This season's average was down by over a shot a match compared with 2016/17, to 24.5 a match.

Over the past seven years this decline is 15.9 per cent.

Excluding blocked efforts, only six Premier League clubs increased their shot tallies.

In contrast, Everton, Swansea City, West Ham United and Manchester United were all down in this category by over 20 per cent from the previous season.

Fall and rise in shots by clubs*

*excludes blocked shots

Changing game

Total goals breached the 1,000 barrier in 2017/18 for the eighth time in 10 seasons so why did shooting fall so much?

Perhaps one element is the change in approach many managers are taking.

Many managers chose to sit their teams deep with defensive discipline and to launch counter-attacks.

Across the division there were 63 examples of this 70-30 split in possession, a rise from 36 in 2016/17. Twenty-six featured Man City. 

Willing sacrifice

Logic suggests this willing surrender of possession affected the number of chances created.

With a focus on limiting space for their opponents inside the final third, it was more difficult to manufacture goalscoring opportunities.

In addition, those teams playing on the back foot shot less at the other end of the pitch.

Everton, who only finished one place lower than the previous season, were a prime example of a side who suffered as an attacking entity.

Everton's waning attack 2017/18

Hot shots

While the quantity declined, the quality of shooting continued its upward trend of the previous four years and was the best it has ever been.

A record 47 per cent of shots were on target in 2017/18. And almost 11 per cent of shots were converted into goals, another high.

But goals from long range were quite rare.

The 133 goals scored from distance in 2017/18 was the fourth-lowest number in history, even if that total was 10 more than last season’s record low.

Perhaps the art of long-range shooting is about to enjoy a renaissance when we return in August.

Goals from outside area  

Also in this series

Part 1: Tactical review: Coaches show flexibility
Part 2: Tactical review: City continuity counted for title
Part 4: Tactical review: Free-kick goals a dying breed
Part 5: Tactical review: Tackles on the slide