STATISTICAL REVIEW: Southend United 1-0 Iron

Introduction

Scunthorpe came up short in their first away game of this season’s National League, losing 1-0 to Southend at Roots Hall.

Joshua Popoola scored the only goal of the game on 23 minutes after Louis Jones parried a Harry Cardwell shot.

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Attack

Scunthorpe managed four shots and hit the target once, accumulating a total xG of 0.41.

Southend, on the other hand, had 12 shots with seven on target for a total xG of 1.77.

Declan Howe had a headed chance for the visitors worth 0.20 xG in the 30th minute, which was the highest xG chance created by Scunthorpe on the day.

Defence

Scunthorpe finished Saturday’s game with a PPDA (passes per defensive action) of 11.7 compared to Southend’s 5.7. 

This means Southend were more relentless in their press, and made a defensive action on average every 5.7 Scunthorpe passes, where the Iron were less aggressive out-of-possession.

Jones was kept busy in goal, making six saves (including five reflex stops) and only conceding once as Southend generated 1.77 xG.

Andy Butler’s Scunthorpe side also made 37 interceptions and 32 clearances.

Possession

Scunthorpe had 36% possession on Saturday compared to Southend’s 64%.

5% of Scunthorpe’s attacks reached the opponent’s penalty area, in contrast to 16% of Southend’s.

The Iron were far more direct in their approach play, with 12% of their passes going long, compared to 5% of Southend’s.

18 of Scunthorpe’s 35 into the final third reached their target (51%), and they completed 29 of their 50 progressive passes (58%).

Set pieces

Scunthorpe won one corner in the match, which did not produce a shot.

Southend had 11 corners on Saturday, with none resulting in a shot, showing Scunthorpe’s aerial ability and organisation when defending corners.

Players

Patrick Jones had two of Scunthorpe's four shots, worth a combined 0.21 xG, and completed eight of 13 attempted passes to the final third (62%).

Alfie Beestin kept play ticking over nicely in midfield for Scunthorpe, completing 16 of his 17 passes (94%).

Joshua Popoola scored the only goal of the game, a very high 0.78 xG chance, whilst Harry Cardwell caused issues for the Scunny back four, having three shots, each finding the target.

Conclusion

All eyes now point to Scunthorpe’s away trip to Eastleigh this Saturday.

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