STATS: Tottenham Hotspur’s Defoe has more shots than anyone and QPR’s Ferdinand with the most interceptions
Tottenham v QPR 16:00
– Tottenham’s season looks finally to be up and running after they beat Reading 3-1 away from home. Two goals from a sharp-looking Jermain Defoe, aided by impressive performances by Mousa Dembele and Sandro in the midfield engine room, ensured a dominant win for the previously under-fire Andre Villas-Boas.
– Jermain Defoe has been lauded from all corners after his sharp performance against Reading last weekend. However the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index highlights even more room for improvement for the Spurs striker. He’s only been on target with 54% of his 24 shots on goal this season.
– Defoe can’t be faulted for his confidence to have a go in front of goal though. Those 24 shots place him first in the Premier League so far this season for total attempts on goal.
– Pace-man Gareth Bale will be looking for more end product from his delivery this weekend against QPR. Although he’s contributed 14 crosses so far this season he’s yet to register an assist.
– Mousa Dembele was highly sought after for before joining Tottenham and he showed us a little of why against Reading. The midfield powerhouse covered more ground than any other Spurs player as he ran for 6.57 miles.
– Winger Aaron Lennon has been Tottenham’s most effective player in the final third this season, completely 42 passes there.
– An improved second half performance allowed QPR to earn a point against Chelsea, in a fixture where the Anton Ferdinand – John Terry saga continued to grab the headlines. Debutant keeper Julio Cesar turned in a solid performance, with Ferdinand himself also an impressive figure at the back for the R’s.
– Alejandro Faurlin worked the hardest to ensure that Chelsea left Loftus Road without all 3 points last time out. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index ranks him as running for 6.6 miles, the most of any QPR player.
– Ji-Sung Park is quickly establishing himself as the fulcrum within the QPR midfield. He’s recorded more passes than any other player in the squad with 102.
– Anton Ferdinand leads the way for this season QPR in terms of interceptions. His 10 interventions is the highest of any QPR player according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– Winger Shaun Wright-Phillips managed to really use some of his trademark speed against Chelsea. He was the R’s fastest player on the day after being clocked at 23.36mph, the second fastest time recorded in the Premier League this season
– Another acquisition by way of Old Trafford, Fabio Da Silva, has been relatively solid in defence yet somewhat inconsistent with his discipline. He’s been successful with 66% of his 15 tackles this season but has also conceded 7 fouls according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.