Episode 8

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Published on:

19th Oct 2023

Who Are The Top 10 Attacking Support Players In The EFL Championship?

Q: - so in this episode we’re going to review the Attacking Support Players.

In previous episodes we established there are 677 Championship players, and 397 (59%) are primarily Attacking Players.

▪ We broke these down further into 3 Roles.

  • Strikers.
  • Chance Creators.
  • Attacking Support Players.
  • 136 are what we call Attacking Support Players and they're our focus for episode 8 of the Attacking The Championship Podcast.

In this episode we'll answer the following questions;

  • What do we mean by an Attacking Support Player?
  • How do we assess their attacking contribution?

We can start from the main objective and work back. The Main attacking objective is to score a goal. In order to score a goal, we need to create a goal-scoring opportunity (Chance). For a chance, need must manoeuvre the ball into position.

▪ What position do we want to move the ball into?

The football pitch can be divided into zones. 18 zones to be precise. This was first done by the great Dutch coach Rinus Michels in the 70's...... and it worked out pretty well for that great team.... and you could argue it has spawned some of the greatest (or most successful) coaching minds of the past two generations (Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola).

Here we have an image of the pitch divided into the 18 zones. The most dangerous zones are the ones where a goal is most likely to be scored. They are of course those zones closest to the opponents goal. Zone 17 being the most likely place to shoot and score, and Zones 13-16 and 18 delivering the highest opportunity for chance creation. We could say that our Attacking Support players main role is to deliver or move the ball from Zones 7-12 into these chance creation zones..... with zone 14 being the most lucrative!

There are different ways in which the players can get the ball into these zones. They are;

  • ▪ Pass - Live or dead ball
  • ▪ Take-on.
  • ▪ Fouls drawn.
  • ▪ Shots (leading to another shot).
  • ▪ Defensive actions (Tackle, clearance).

The Attacking Support Player’s primary role is to manoeuvre the ball into areas (zones) where high quality chances can be created. So You could say, to support the Chance Creators and Strikers we talked about in the previous two episodes (Ep6 - Strikers, Ep7 - Chance Creators).

We looked at the numbers to see which 10 players were currently the most productive attacking support players in the EFL Championship. Click here to see the list.

We even take a look at two highly ranked players who have been successful attacking support players, but in a different way. Click here to see the comparison between Wilfred Ndidi v Hayden Hackney.

Did you expect to see these names in the top 10? Were there any names included that surprised you? Were there any names you expected to see there?

This fantastic game is all about opinions so it'd be great to hear yours. Start a conversation with us, ask us a question, tell us your thoughts, or simply follow, subscribe and enjoy the content in your own time.

'X' (Twitter) - @champattack



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About the Podcast

Attacking The Championship
Looking at How Each EFL Championship Team Structure Their Attacking Style, How Well Do They Do It? Where Do The Struggle? Who Are The Most Appropriate Players To Take Them To The Next Level?
Are you a die-hard football fanatic looking to unravel the secrets behind the thrilling attacking styles in the EFL Championship? Do you dream of being a tactical mastermind, dissecting every play, and discovering the hidden gems that can transform a team's fortunes? Well, you've just found your ticket to the front row of the action!

Our host, Tom Butterfield, and resident guest and analyst David Bromley will take you on an exhilarating journey through the electrifying world of the EFL Championship's attacking strategies. In this podcast, we won't just scratch the surface – we'll dive deep into the game with our exclusive "Game Changers" process, unlocking the tactics, techniques, and trends that make or break a team's offensive prowess.

Are you ready to explore how the Championship's top clubs use their attacking arsenals to create magic on the pitch?

From high-octane pressing, intricate build-up play, direct approaches or counter attacking we'll break down the attacking styles that keep fans on the edge of their seats week after week. But that's not all. We're not content with just analyzing the action; we're here to discover solutions.

Looking to identify potential recruitment options to solve your team's attacking problems? We've got you covered!

Each episode will be your playbook, filled with expert insights, exclusive interviews with coaches, scouts, and players, and the latest data and information that separate the contenders from the pretenders. We'll decode the attacking mysteries of your team,

What style do they play?
What do they do well?
Where do they need to improve?
Who are your key attacking players?

Which players might be great candidates to come in and take your team to the next level?

Join us on “Attacking The Championship" as we uncover the keys to success in the EFL Championship's attack. This isn't just another football podcast; this is your secret weapon for understanding the beautiful game like never before.

So, whether you're a devoted football tactician, an aspiring analyst, a super scout, or simply a fan looking to deepen your understanding of the sport, hit that subscribe button now and get ready to embark on a thrilling journey through the heart-pounding world of Championship football!

About your hosts

Thomas Butterfield

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I'm a very approachable obsessive learner who is always interested in the stories of others, and how that information and experience can be used to help others move the needle of their life in a positive direction.

As a result of the work I do adults and younger people understand the importance of being an active participant in their own health.

The result of this is we at Elevate Health Chiropractic and Wellbeing are putting better educated individuals into the community who are making better health decisions for themselves and those they care for the most.
They move better, they eat better, they think better.

They Feel Better.

We are always looking to work with and help individuals and organisations who value their own health, that of their family, or their staff high enough to take that next step with Elevate Health, Chiropractic and Wellbeing.

David Bromley

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For the last fifteen years I have applied my analytical, systems-evaluation and financial background to the football industry.

As a long-term student of the game I hold coaching badges from the English Football Association and am a certified member of the Professional Football Scouts Association.

I hold distinctions in the Prozone (STATS) Professional Performance Analysis/ Performance Data & Recruitment Certificates Levels 1,2 & 3 in addition to being an F.A. Registered Intermediary.

My experience in football has enabled me to view player recruitment from the 'sharp end' and allows me to tailor my service to meet clients' best interests.