Scott Pendlebury analysis

[Collingwoodity]

I'd be willing to write Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Dane Swan or anyone else a list of where they also need to improve and I typically do in my yearly list management thread but always more than happy to give more detail on any specific player as to where their weak points are and where more improvement can be discovered.

Can you please do this for Pendlebury?

 

[Knightmare]

Can you please do this for Pendlebury?

Kicking in 2012 poor. Needs to clean it up and get that consistency back. I get the sense it might have been due to some injury he was carrying last season but you'd like to see his footskills get back to his previous high standards as it gets talking about as a feature of his game when really it's his ability by hand that instead and that spacial awareness that makes him special.

Marking ability early 2012 looked promising and I got the sense the club saw this as the next area of growth in his game, he even took a couple of contested marks early season but then it dropped off again so he needs to continue to build on this with not only contested marking but then 1v1 marking so that he can become a threat more when pushing forward.

Inside ball winning ability and clearance ability can be improved. He has more size on his frame now and at his height he can become better in this regard. While he can win his own ball he is still more of an inside receiver and with Ball and Swan aging you'd like to see him become more of a first possession guy and with his ability to read the play unfolding he should be able to read and get into position to get the ball from those ruck taps better (as Beams did better than just about anyone this season).

Pendlebury can become more capable of pushing forward. I identified the marking aspects and this will help him but at this point he is still a pure midfielder and you'd love for him to push forward more and become dangerous as a Swan or Beams can. He certainly isn't as dangerous as Swan inside 50 in those stoppage situations when Swan runs onto the ball, wins it and streams into goal but Pendlebury can improve in those stoppage situations inside 50 similar to how Beams did this season when he also kicked goals and did damage from those similar situations. Then finishing ability and set shot goal kicking both good but also have room for improvement.

Also as a midfielder while his goal per game numbers were strong in 2011 he really dropped off in this sense in 2012 so adding these aspects to his game would only make him more effective when pushing forward to go with his current elite midfield game.

I'd also like to see Pendles win more outside ball in spots where he can be damaging. Most specifically in positions where he can use his footskills (once improved) to become more of a playmaker by foot finding those inside 50 targets and getting it to where they want it and to the positions that will be hardest to defend so to do this it's not only the precision kicking and weighting it right but also understanding the tendencies of Cloke and all the other forwards and what they like and where they like it.

 

[Jelly Bean]

Inside ball winning ability and clearance ability can be improved. He has more size on his frame now and at his height he can become better in this regard. While he can win his own ball he is still more of an inside receiver and with Ball and Swan aging you'd like to see him become more of a first possession guy and with his ability to read the play unfolding he should be able to read and get into position to get the ball from those ruck taps better (as Beams did better than just about anyone this season).

This is a really interesting one, and at this risk of being guilty of blatant overanalysis (on Bigfooty? surely not...) I conceptually disagree.

I don't want to see Pendles be that 'bang and crash' inside midfielder (e.g. Ball) who does the kamikaze for the ball, I view him as the player who does get that second touch or 'loose' stoppage ball and helping transition it best to the outside or next contest. I like your description 'inside receiver' (I think Pendles is the prototype for what an inside receiver would be), and think that if he goes after more first touch / hard contested possesion, it would hinder his ability to transition the ball from hard contested to outside.

If anything, I think Beams currently is a similar type to Pendles, and would prefer to see him become a little more 'Ball-like' in his inside style.

Overanalysis? Yeah, probably...

 

[gifted1]

This is a really interesting one, and at this risk of being guilty of blatant overanalysis (on Bigfooty? surely not...) I conceptually disagree.

I don't want to see Pendles be that 'bang and crash' inside midfielder (e.g. Ball) who does the kamikaze for the ball, I view him as the player who does get that second touch or 'loose' stoppage ball and helping transition it best to the outside or next contest. I like your description 'inside receiver' (I think Pendles is the prototype for what an inside receiver would be), and think that if he goes after more first touch / hard contested possesion, it would hinder his ability to transition the ball from hard contested to outside.

If anything, I think Beams currently is a similar type to Pendles, and would prefer to see him become a little more 'Ball-like' in his inside style.

Overanalysis? Yeah, probably...

spot on jelly bean....needs to be the inside reciever type that can push forward for midfield goals...

no way should he be the front line hard body type.....to slick for that

kicked 20+ in 2011

scoring output was down in 2012

 

[loki04]

I agree on Pendles kicking when you watch early footage of Pendles he was much more dangerous with his kicking would often drill long lace out pass' into the fwd 50 or center it to dangerous spots, he seems to under MM become much more conservative hope Buckley changes this.

Can deff improve forward of center too.

 

[neilk]

I definitely agree that his marking skills need improvement. At 190+cm he should be capable of being a real danger in the air, especially when he pushes forward. His basketball skills just don't seem to have been particularly helpful in marking the ball, though when there is a high bouncing ball his handling and ability to control the ball are excellent.

 

[SnakePlisskin]

He was great before he broke his leg , that rd1 game against the Hawks was probably the best I've seen him play.

 

[Mick98]

One Collingwood player that needs no analysis.

Can do it all,the only thing he lacks is speed.
Unfortunately you can't have it all unless your Gary Ablett,Jr.

 

[DWil6]

I think he can be more an inside ball winner without relinquishing his 'receiver' benefits entirely. Really slick handball users like Pendles can set up so much play with his creative use of first hands on the ball. If he could get it and dish it out regularly, he'd take his midfield game to another level.

 

[Knightmare]

This is a really interesting one, and at this risk of being guilty of blatant overanalysis (on Bigfooty? surely not...) I conceptually disagree.

I don't want to see Pendles be that 'bang and crash' inside midfielder (e.g. Ball) who does the kamikaze for the ball, I view him as the player who does get that second touch or 'loose' stoppage ball and helping transition it best to the outside or next contest. I like your description 'inside receiver' (I think Pendles is the prototype for what an inside receiver would be), and think that if he goes after more first touch / hard contested possesion, it would hinder his ability to transition the ball from hard contested to outside.

If anything, I think Beams currently is a similar type to Pendles, and would prefer to see him become a little more 'Ball-like' in his inside style.

Overanalysis? Yeah, probably...

I certainly wasn't expecting a thread for this but I was asked where Pendlebury can further improve after pointing out where Dale Thomas can/needs to progress.

Players in their mid 20s aren't improving in an athletic sense typically so it's about building those other weapons into his game.

I agree that Pendlebury won't ever be a 'bang and crash' inside midfielder as you phrase it and he is at his most dangerous inside when he is distributing by hand because he has that 360 degree awareness and finds those targets no one else can find so I agree with your view that he is most effective as that inside receiver among some hard contested footy types on the inside.

But we are talking where he can improve his game further and this is an aspect he can still grow in to further complete his game. When I was talking ability to read the taps I'd like to see him be able to shark it as Dayne Beams did this year being able to step in and get that first possession more often. I'm not suggesting this become his primary responsibility but better would be having the whole midfield group so good that if one has a hard tag they could interchangably be able to go in and win their own footy. The other advantage I see in Pendlebury being able to read those taps is inside 50. Imagine Pendlebury in those stoppages in the forward half kicking goals in those situations where he gets first possession. Dane Swan, Dayne Beams and Luke Ball all do it getting that first possession then getting a quick goal from it. So why can't Pendlebury do the same? Why not learn off some of the guys who do it as well as any around the competition? He's got the smarts and strength to do it so I see no reason why like with the marking among other aspects mentioned early that this also can't be added to his game. I see all these things as being within his capabilities which is more a compliment to his talent and work ethic than anything.

 

[76woodenspooners]

I certainly wasn't expecting a thread for this but I was asked where Pendlebury can further improve after pointing out where Dale Thomas can/needs to progress.

Yeah, the Pendles discussion in the Thomas thread was making things a bit confusing - and both seemed interesting discussions. So they were split up.

 

[Knightmare]

Yeah, the Pendles discussion in the Thomas thread was making things a bit confusing - and both seemed interesting discussions. So they were split up.

Not a problem.

 

[Vicky Park]

I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to detailed observation and analysis of players' strengths, weaknesses, etc, and really appreciate the posts on this forum which provide such insight. But I'll say this much for Pendles, who I think is an outstanding footballer, that I am constantly amazed by his ability to find space. How does he do that - getting out on his own, and seemingly having all the time in the world to make a decision? Its almost like the match slows down when Pendles has the ball. I know his basketball background has been cited as the source of his poise and balance, but I really haven't a clue. I just know we Pies fans shake our heads in amazement, and opposition players look panicked. Cant wait to see it again in 2013!

 

[drummoyne]

One Collingwood player that needs no analysis.

Can do it all,the only thing he lacks is speed.
Unfortunately you can't have it all unless your Gary Ablett,Jr.

His height will always hold him back from being a true great o the game

 

[Knightmare]

I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to detailed observation and analysis of players' strengths, weaknesses, etc, and really appreciate the posts on this forum which provide such insight. But I'll say this much for Pendles, who I think is an outstanding footballer, that I am constantly amazed by his ability to find space. How does he do that - getting out on his own, and seemingly having all the time in the world to make a decision? Its almost like the match slows down when Pendles has the ball. I know his basketball background has been cited as the source of his poise and balance, but I really haven't a clue. I just know we Pies fans shake our heads in amazement, and opposition players look panicked. Cant wait to see it again in 2013!

This is certainly one of his major strengths and one of the things that makes him unique.

Much of his ability comes from playing basketball. I suggest he was a point guard, or at least he plays football like he is one and you can tell he watches the NBA highlight tapes and has an understanding of footwork.

With Pendlebury he has both that quickness of mind, co-ordination and agility to be able to sidestep but then anticipate before the opposition makes their move towards him making him so hard to touch and feel like he is slowing down time. Then add in his 360 degree spacial awareness allowing him to find anyone by hand when he has no right to under pressure with that vision and extra height he has and he is one of those rare, true elite midfielders of the competition.

 

[lozza63]

I think Knighter made many salient points in respect to Pendles lesser areas. Especially when you compare to his 2011 season - he was down on effective disposals, goals scored and his marking even dropped off.

Having said that his finals were great - capped off by an amazing 10 tackle, 30 possession game - which i think he left it all out on the field.

If the midfield corps can show as much dedication and intensity as Pendles did in those 3 games - we'll be real contenders!

 

[Stripes B and W]

Great discussion; KM, Jelly B and others have discussed his 'role' in great depth. A couple of things to consider in looking at his 2012 against 2011 and perhaps even 2010, he probably has more work and time put into him than any other Collingwood player, the broken leg did certainly upset his 2012 and the early injury toll probably added to his workload.

If i had to be specific to where Pendles can improve i would go directly to kicking and contested marking.
This is really being over critical ( overanalysing as Jelly B suggested ) i know, but his short kicking invariably are too short putting lots of pressure on the intended receiver, his set shots are average and he tends to miss a few eminently gettable shots. His longer kicks can tend to hang in the air too long also enabling the space made to be closed.
He is a very capable contested mark, for whatever reason this seemed to fall away this year. Could have been due to others spending more time forward, but in 2013 i'm looking for it to be a dangerous weapon again.

For all the above, I do think there is every chance in 3 -5 years time he will be vying with Buckley as the best Collingwood player since Daicos.

 

[PepperFace]

I think we can pretty much write off the second half of 2012. He was never the same after his knee/leg injury. It was revealed as a broken leg but there seems like it was something more than that as a fracture in your leg wouldnt have you out for that long. Regardless of what it was, his confidence was never the same so hopefully he comes back strong this season.

 

[Soul_Pie]

He needs to bring back the dreads for one. Not srs

Early 2012 he was amazing, that Hawthorn game in particular was magnificent, could barely fault him save for maybe slightly off kicking skills, but after the injury it took him a long time to get back to the player we know he is.

I agree that I want him being the guy kicking into the forward 50, we will have Ball and Beams in the centre to win the ball out to him, I want Pendles lacing it out to our forwards. Out of our midfielders, Beams tends to kick high in hope going forward a lot of the time, Swan is very inconsistent, Ball has no penetration, the one I'd most like to see with ball in hand streaming forward is Pendles.

Pendlebury is our best player in my view, and has been for 3 or 4 years now, (maybe a big call, I dunno) there is nobody in the league like him, he is a unique talent. I hope we see the best of him this year, and if even one of those aspects of improvement mentioned by Knightmare come about he may become the best player in the comp.

 

[DaVe86]

His year was divided into 2...pre broken leg and post broken leg. Before the break he was a brownlow favourite. After it he lacked his usual class and polish. But he did lift for the finals series.

I would not tinker too much with his style of play. I think with Luke Ball back, he can focus purely on playing a receiving role. It was a similar situation in 2009 where he became a very good inside clearance player...but he was more value as an outside player so Luke Ball was recruited.

He can definitely become more damaging. He needs to win more ball forward of 50 and as KM says become a bigger threat in forward stoppages. Marking is something he has worked on a lot and was on the improve, but he dropped off in that area last year. His speed does not worry me as he is not a break the lines player and he still seems to cover the ground well.

He is not the type who kicks it 50 metres onto the chest of a leading forward, but typically over 30-40 he is very accurate. Just need him getting it more forward of centre and spotting the right option.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Hes a rubbish footballer when he breaks his leg.

 

[KJpie]

Hes a rubbish footballer when he breaks his leg.

What are you talking about timmy, he's a gun give him a break!

 

[sr36]

Last year our centre square midfield in general wasn't aggresive enough at the ball or the player with the ball, which resulted in quality oposition regularly getting clean and dangerous centre breaks. Pendlebury, Swan and Beams all need to become more willing to take a more aggressive role at centre breaks when required. You can't have all three of them in the centre waiting to pounce on loose spills. You need someone or preferably two of your three starters willing to crash in. Ball's return will alleviate this problem, but he can't take every centre bounce. So I'd like to see Pendlebury become more willing to assert himself physically.

Having said that. He's a freak and if he stays fit, I reckon he will be the best player in the league next year.

 

[ipswichpies]

It is his birthday today,so many returns of the day Pendles and please return to early 2012 form as he was outstanding then.

 

[loki04]

His year was divided into 2...pre broken leg and post broken leg. Before the break he was a brownlow favourite. After it he lacked his usual class and polish. But he did lift for the finals series.

I would not tinker too much with his style of play. I think with Luke Ball back, he can focus purely on playing a receiving role. It was a similar situation in 2009 where he became a very good inside clearance player...but he was more value as an outside player so Luke Ball was recruited.

He can definitely become more damaging. He needs to win more ball forward of 50 and as KM says become a bigger threat in forward stoppages. Marking is something he has worked on a lot and was on the improve, but he dropped off in that area last year. His speed does not worry me as he is not a break the lines player and he still seems to cover the ground well.

He is not the type who kicks it 50 metres onto the chest of a leading forward, but typically over 30-40 he is very accurate. Just need him getting it more forward of centre and spotting the right option.

HE has shown he is capable of doing it he just doesn't do it enough any more, watch his TAC footage and he is regularly hitting up long kicks into the fwd line.

Everyone knows he is a gun but it doesn't mean he can't improve certain area's and be the very best to usurp Ablett jnr.