Sunday, December 22, 2024

Keeper drop-off the reason behind Saints goal leak?

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St Johnstone have conceded the most goals in the Premiership this season [SNS]

It is somewhat unusual to see not one, but two St Johnstone players joint top of the Premiership scoring chart.

Both Nicky Clark and Benjamin Kimpioka are level with Celtic captain Callum McGregor and Aberdeen striker Pape Habib Gueye on five goals.

The 10 goals scored between forward duo Clark and Kimpioka make up more than half of St Johnstone’s totally tally of 16.

Saints have netted more than five other teams and have converted an impressive 50% of their 18 big chances, all while boasting the fourth-highest average ball possession in the league.

For years it has felt like St Johnstone have lacked a goalscorer while having a solid base, but this season that has flipped.

The Perth side have conceded 27 goals in just 13 games – more than any other team in the top flight – from an expected goals (xG) against of 18.81.

That means Saints have shipped eight more goals than expected based on the quality of chances created against them.

At times that can point to questionable goalkeeping, with neither Ross Sinclair or Josh Rae yet to nail down the starting spot.

Sinclair has played nine league games while Rae has featured in five. The save percentages of both keepers are below 60%.

The team are certainly missing Dimitar Mitov, who departed for Aberdeen in the summer after a stellar debut season in Scotland.

With a keeper of that calibre between the sticks, St Johnstone would be looking up the way rather than worrying about what is over their shoulder.

An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.

[BBC]

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