The Invisible Spec

Greetings Hattrick fans!

In this article, I will examine seven players who have, what I like to call, the 'invisible' spec. This means the ability of being a set-piece specialist, to be precise. Who are the magnificent seven to go under my magnifying glass? Let's take a closer look:

First up are Mário José Gonçalves and Đèo Trung Mạnh, both part of the Kinclaven squad, managed by Garyrr. Mário 30 years old and after being capped once for the U-20 Mozambique team, he went on to gain 6 national team caps for his country. He's scored 54 goals in his career, but only 6 for Kinclaven during his time there, having signed at the end of December 2018. In comparison, Đèo is 32 years old and has no international experience representing his country. He has scored 51 career goals, with 8 of these for Kinclaven since he signed in September 2018.

Set-piece goals (Mários José Gonçalves): 4

x2 vs Flying Dutchman (1 x free-kick, 1 x penalty)
x1 vs East Coast Marinas (1 x penalty)
x1 vs McBrielle (1 x free-kick)

Total games in study: 38
Conversion rate (penalties): 5.2%
Conversion rate (free-kicks): 5.2%
Total set piece conversion rate: 10.5%

Set-piece goals (Đèo Trung Mạnh): 5

x1 vs Nieuwe Hoop (free-kick)
x1 vs MacOwl Madness (free-kick)
x1 vs Highland Tigers (penalty)
x2 vs The Puchus (1 x free-kick, 1 x penalty)

Total games in study: 64
Conversion rate (penalties): 3.1%
Conversion rate (free-kicks): 4.6%
Total set piece conversion rate: 7.8%

Next we have Zamir Razaq of Los Mejores Fútbol Club. He is almost 35 years old at the time of writing, and has 26 career goals with 11 of theses for his current team. Zamir has scored these 11 since his arrival in January, 2019.

Set-piece goals (Zamir Razaq): 10

x2 vs Atlético da Barra do Ceará (1 x free-kick, 1 x penalty)
x1 vs Galaço 2013 (1 x penalty)
x1 vs Botafogo JB (1 x penalty)
x1 vs GEOselitos F.C (1 x penalty)
x2 vs londrina esporte clube (1 x penalty, 1 x free-kick)
x2 vs Botafogo JB (2 x free-kick)
x1 vs ingratos (1 x penalty)

Total games in study: 33
Conversion rate (penalties): 18.2%
Conversion rate (free-kicks): 12.1%
Total set piece conversion rate: 30.3%

Rickert Bloemers (Racing Winnebago) and Pier Giorgio Tamai (Steeple Sinderby Wanderers) are both part of the playing staff purchased by club owner Geigerted. Rickert, bought in November 2018, is approaching 33 years while Pier Giorgio is nearly 32. Rickert has 77 career goals with 11 for Winnebago so far, while Pier Giorgio has 203 career goals and 15 for Wanderers since his arrival on Christmas Eve, 2018.

Set-piece goals (Rickert Bloemers): 13

x1 vs W_I_D_Z_E_W (penalty)
x1 vs galaxy calcio (penalty)
x1 vs Space Tourists (penalty)
x1 vs KentuckBourbon1 (penalty)
x1 vs Hillsboro Hilltoppers (penalty)
x1 vs Turtle Pond Armada (penalty)
x1 vs River Impact (penalty)
x1 vs Hubinhos (penalty)
x1 vs Clan Phoenix (penalty)
x2 vs Dunder Mifflin Infinity (1 x free-kick, 1 x penalty)
x1 vs Saddhus (free-kick)
x1 vs Express '80 (penalty)

Total games in study: 49
Conversion rate (penalties): 22.4%
Conversion rate (free-kicks): 4.1%
Total set piece conversion rate: 26.5%

Set-piece goals (Pier Giorgio Tamai): 0

None in games studied

Total games in study: 38
Conversion rate (penalties): 0%
Conversion rate (free-kicks): 0%
Total set piece conversion rate: 0%

Eugeniu Banu (Crazy Horses Football Club). Known as 'The Whistler', Eugeniu is now 36 years old and has 66 career goals to his name. 12 of these have come in a Horses shirt, since his arrival in January, 2019.

Set-piece goals (Eugeniu Banu): 8

x1 vs Nisqually Kahnaway (free-kick)
x2 vs Los Mejores Fútbol Club (2 x penalty)
x2 vs Norðoyggjar (2 x penalty)
x1 vs Futbol Club Ordino (penalty)
x1 vs Clan Phoenix (free-kick)
x1 vs FC MikkaMakka (penalty)

Total games in study: 27
Conversion rate (penalties): 22.2%
Conversion rate (free-kicks): 7.4%
Total set piece conversion rate: 29.6%

Marc-Kevin 'Sweet Spot' Meville is Eugeniu's team-mate, and arrived later at the end of February, 2019. He is approaching his 39th birthday and certainly doing well to still be playing as a first-team choice! He has 276 goals in his career so far, with 14 for the Horses since arriving only a few months ago.

Set-piece goals (Marc-Kevin 'Sweet Spot' Meville): 5

x1 vs FC Brčko (free-kick)
x1 vs Anjar Camels (free-kick)
x1 vs Citterio INT (penalty)
x1 vs Turtle Pond Armada (free-kick)
x1 vs París Sp. Germain (free-kick)

Total games in study: 15
Conversion rate (penalties): 6.7%
Conversion rate (free-kicks): 26.7%
Total set piece conversion rate: 33.3%

So, in summary, congratulations seem to go to Marc-Kevin Meville (above) for a conversion rate in his 15 games of 33.3% though Zamir Razaq has just over 30% himself in over double the amount of games. Seems like Razaq takes the plaudits, but there's a couple of other names on this list who are in hot pursuit themselves. As for Wanderers Tamai... well... let's hope since we compiled this data he has at least managed to find the back of the net from a set-piece, even if it's only on the training grounds! Sorry Mr. Tamai. The stats don't lie! Ask Ricky Bloemers... he scores a penalty in 25% of the games he plays!