As WhoScored continues to entertain itself with interesting stats and findings from the first two months of the season in the absence of club football over the last week, we have compiled two very different Premier League teams.
Whilst we applaud those players who have been most effective in the tackle - conceding the fewest fouls compared to tackles attempted- we also take a look at those who have been far less economical in the challenge to compile our Cleanest vs Clumsiest Tackling XIs.
More than half of the Premier League teams (13) are represented in one or the other by at least one player, with leaders United appearing twice in the cleanest XI. Stoke are the most involved side between both sides (3), but many will be surprised to see that two of their players also make the more favourable XI, with none of their supposed bruising defenders in the clumsiest XI.
Wolves and Swansea both have a player in each side while bottom club Bolton have two of their most used defenders in the XI that foul more than they win tackles, which tells a story in itself. All players analysed have made at least 4 appearances for their clubs this season.
Team Comparison
Before we look at some of the individuals to have caught the eye in either a positive or negative sense, let's compare just how effective our clean tackling XI are compared to their clumsy counterparts.
The 10 outfielders, in a 4-4-2 formation, for the clean XI (bottom right) have made a combined total of 128 tackles in their respective appearances so far - almost 13 each on average over the course of the season. Despite a number of challenges won, the players have only conceded 17 fouls between them, with 7 of these coming from one player. Their efficiency in the tackle has been rewarded in the most part with an all but exemplary disciplinary record, with only 3 players booked and none sent off.
When comparing the clumsiest XI, with clumsy perhaps a kind phrase to describe their tackling exploits, we see that despite winning only a third of the tackles of their more successful opponents (44), they have conceded 5 times as many fouls over the season. Their rashness in the tackle has seen 7 of the 10 outfielders booked, amassing 14 yellow cards in total between them, and one player receive his marching orders.
Decisive Distin vs Clumsy Caldwell
Of the cleanest tackling defence, although Norwich's Marc Tierney stands out for an exceptional 24 tackles won whilst conceding just 3 fouls, Everton centre-back Sylvain Distin has a remarkable record.
Despite making more tackles per game than mainstay teammates Jagielka and Baines at the back, the Frenchman is yet to commit a foul all season, having won 11 tackles. At 33 Distin is now somewhat of a veteran but it is clear to see that he is using his vast experience to make terrific decisions upon when to tackle, and his form is far from deteriorating.
Where Distin shines, Wigan captain Gary Caldwell falters. Completing just 3 tackles all season, the Scot has made less successful challenges than any outfield teammate - a worrying statistic for a defender. Despite his apparent unwillingness to tackle, Caldwell has still managed to commit 11 fouls this season; the most of our clumsy back four and the second most for the Latics behind Mohamed Diame.
Partnered by Maynor Figueroa in recent weeks, the comparison between the two is telling. The Honduran makeshift centre-back has won a team high of 3.6 tackles per game and committed less than half the number of fouls of his teammate in the process.
Clean Cabaye vs Horrendous Henry
Yohan Cabaye has acclimatised to the pace of the Premier League with consummate ease since joining Newcastle from French champions Lille in the summer. The midfielder is streets ahead of his teammates in terms of chance creation but it is perhaps his tackling where the 25-year-old has impressed the most.
Ahead of midfield partner Cheik Tiote, the France international has made a phenomenal 30 tackles this season, only committing 3 fouls in the process. One moment of madness in the Tyne-Wear derby saw Cabaye lucky to escape with just a yellow card, with the occasion seemingly getting the better of him, but since he has been all but immaculate in the challenge.
Former Wolves captain Karl Henry has made somewhat of a name for himself by throwing himself in to tackles to controversial effect. Having already ruffled the peacock feathers of Joey Barton this season, Henry hasn't dampened a hard-hitting game that saw him criticised last term.
Despite his workmanlike image in the centre of the park, Henry has made less than a quarter of the tackles as Cabaye (7), but committed over 4 times as many fouls (13). Such antics have led to 3 yellow cards for the 28-year-old and Barton seemingly has a point with regards to Henry's tactics.
Dogged Doyle vs Calamitous Crouch
While Karl Henry's efforts have seen him do more harm than good on occasion, teammate Kevin Doyle's exertions up front are crucial to Mick McCarthy's men. The Irishman recently made it into the Premier League XI for aerial success rate and his work on the ground is just as effective.
A figure of 10 tackles may not seem impressive but is superb for a striker and despite conceding 7 fouls this season, the total is minimal when considering the 28-year-old's all-action style. Picking up one yellow card for his efforts, Doyle's industry far outweighs that of strike partner Steven Fletcher, who has committed just 2 fouls but only made 2 tackles in turn.
It is fair to say that the majority of Peter Crouch's committed fouls are made in the air. The striker is sometimes harshly adjudged for climbing and so on due to his lanky frame but he still proves costly when it comes to conceding fouls.
A total of 15 committed over his time at Spurs and Stoke this season sees him make our XI due to the fact that he has only backed his efforts up with 2 successful tackles. Undoubtedly a surprise to many, Crouch is the only Potters player in our XI, conceding more fouls per game than the likes of Shawcross at the back.
