Talking Tactics | Andre Ayew
As Swansea City ready themselves for their weekend meeting with Millwall, football stats experts WhoScored.com take a look at the form and threat posed by Andre Ayew.
Swansea City maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 win at Wycombe last weekend and attention now turns to the welcome of Millwall on Saturday. Like the Swans, the Lions are also yet to lose a Championship game this campaign with Gary Rowett guiding Millwall to one win and two draws in the opening three matches of 2020-21.
Millwall have been defensively sound so far this term, conceding just one goal in three matches, that coming in the 1-1 draw with Brentford at the weekend, and even that was from the penalty spot.
It suggests the Swans will face stubborn opposition at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, and the hosts will again be looking to Andre Ayew to excel in the final third.
The 30-year-old had a direct hand in both of Swansea's goals in their 2-0 win at Wycombe last time out, netting the opener after 13 minutes before turning provider for new signing Jamal Lowe 10 minutes later.
In all, Ayew did enough to return a WhoScored.com rating of 8.86, which saw him make the Championship team of the week alongside Blackburn’s Adam Armstrong in attack.
Given Saturday's visitors have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six away league matches, Ayew will hope to put in another of his eye-catching displays to try and ensure he and Swansea are able to find a way past this solid Millwall rearguard.
That said, Ayew has developed a statistically calculated WhoScored.com strength of 'finishing' and has the tools of the trade to get the better of the Lions' backline.
Three of Millwall's statistically calculated WhoScored.com weaknesses are defensive leaning so, while they have been solid at the back, if the chances are created for Ayew, then he will have every chance to build upon his first goal of the season at Wycombe.
Not only that, but the Ghana star has developed a WhoScored.com style of play of 'gets fouled often', which promises to play into Swansea's hands as they look to find the best route to goal against Rowett's side.
Given one of Millwall's three defensive weaknesses is 'avoiding fouling in dangerous areas' and with the WhoScored.com match forecast suggesting that it is very likely Swansea 'will score from a direct free-kick', Ayew has more to offer than just goals at the Liberty Stadium.
Rowett has implemented a three-man defence for Millwall this term, with the highest rated of the three centre-backs being Jake Cooper (7.33).
The 25-year-old has been a stand-out performer for the Lions following his arrival from Reading, and he has started the campaign strongly at both ends of the pitch.
However, Cooper has developed a statistically calculated WhoScored.com weakness of 'tackling' and a style of play of 'commits fouls often', and Ayew and Swansea will look to try and capitalise on any opportunities that arise.
