Who is the most fouled player in the Scottish Premiership this season?
If posed that question, many Scottish football fans might immediately think of a tricky winger or a creative player at Celtic or Rangers, such as Jota or Ryan Kent.
Ross County’s Regan Charles-Cook, who has enjoyed a superb season with the Staggies, is another player who would spring to mind.
But, perhaps surprisingly, it is actually an Aberdeen player who is the most fouled player in the Scottish Premiership this season – and by quite some margin.
According to stats provided by Opta, Dons midfielder Lewis Ferguson is the most fouled player in the top flight.
The 22-year-old, who has been the subject of transfer interest from Serie A side Cagliari, has been fouled a whopping 105 times during his 31 league appearances.
That is 31 more than the next most fouled player in the top flight – Livingston midfielder Jason Holt.
Dundee United striker Tony Watt (71), Motherwell’s Callum Slattery (70) and St Mirren midfielder Alan Power (62) make up the top five.
‘It’s physical contact, it’s a man’s sport’
Ferguson’s ability to win fouls from the opposition has prompted some criticism from his opponents, with Hearts manager Robbie Neilson accusing the Scotland international of diving to win a penalty in the Edinburgh’s club’s 2-0 win at Tynecastle last month.
Jim Goodwin was quick to defend his player, saying: “I have a lot of time for Robbie, but Lewis is not a diver. There was contact, he went over and (referee) Steven McLean thought it warranted a penalty – and so be it.”
After Ferguson was not awarded a free-kick in the lead up to Dundee’s 2-2 draw with the Dons earlier this month, midfielder Charlie Adams told BBC Scotland: “He’s one of these players that goes down far too easy.
“You’re in a man’s game. It’s physical contact, it’s a man’s sport.
“Get up, get on with it and stop moaning.”
But with 14 goals this season, Ferguson has been one of the more productive members of the Aberdeen squad, and his ability to find the back of the net and win fouls in the final third could be key to the Reds moving up the table in the post-split fixtures.
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Who is the best in the air?
Regan Charles-Cook and Joseph Hungbo have earned plenty of plaudits for Ross County this season for their part in helping the Staggies rise from relegation candidates to European hopefuls.
The Dingwall men made it into the top six thanks to a 1-0 victory against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday.
While others may have hogged the headlines, County boss Malky Mackay has been quick to praise Jordan White’s role in his team’s resurgence.
The stats back up his assessment.
The former Motherwell striker has won more aerial tussles than any other player in the league.
White has won 181 of his aerial duels, with Dundee defender Ryan Sweeney second on 150.
St Mirren’s Joe Shaughnessy (147), St Johnstone’s Jamie McCart (141) and Hearts centre-half Craig Halkett (135) make up the rest of the top five.
Who never gives the ball away?
There is another surprise for the player leading the pass completion stats this season.
Celtic defender Stephen Welsh has the highest percentage in the league when it comes to pass completion.
Indeed, 92.6% of his passes have successfully found a teammate, which is slightly better than his Hoops defensive partner Carl Starfelt (91.3%).
This is an area dominated by Celtic and Rangers players, which is no surprise given the amount of possession they tend to enjoy in matches.
Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara (90.9%) is third on the list – just ahead of Celtic duo Nir Bitton (90.7%) and Callum McGregor (90.5%).
Who has won the most tackles?
This is a closely contested area with very little separating the top five in the Scottish Premiership so far this season.
The list includes two Livingston players, with Livi midfielder Jason Holt leading the way with 77 successful tackles this season – one ahead of Hearts’ Australian defensive midfielder Cameron Devlin.
Hibernian’s Jack Doyle-Hayes (75), Livingston’s Stephane Omeonga (74) and St Mirren’s Alan Power (73) are also in the top five.
