Resident tactical analyst Craig Cairns takes a closer look at Greg Stewart's contribution at Dundee this season.
Last season, Greg Stewart played the inverted right-wing role to devastating effect, scoring 15 goals and recording 10 assists, which earned him a Player of the Year nomination. Even though he may not have been quite as prolific in front of goal this season, he has been the key creator in the Dundee side with 12 assists so far.
.@gregstew1990 is key creator at @dundeefconline. Check out his assist map for this season https://t.co/bGRT0WfwjO pic.twitter.com/T8qGpbqYg0
— SPFL (@spfl) April 9, 2016
He started this season on the right wing once again but he likes to cut inside and drive at pace into central positions and can create goals for others in number of different ways.
Stats-wise, Stewart may finish with similar numbers to last season, though would probably admit that, in terms of performances, for a large part of this season he didn’t quite live up to the incredibly high bar he set for himself in the last campaign. This is at least partly down to other sides realising the threat he poses and paying closer attention. In saying that, he has now reached double figures in goals and assists in the Premiership for the second season running.
Since the turn of the year, he has been used in a free role behind the striker(s) more often and has regained that form. The win over Ross County last weekend saw him return to his best and was the culmination of a period which has seen him record seven assists since January – around the same time Paul Hartley started using him more centrally.
His 11 goals and 12 assists so far this season has put Dundee in a strong position to claim a top-six place this weekend when they visit New Douglas Park.
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