Player Focus: Error Prone Outfielders

The astonishing misfortune of Jonathan Walters last weekend will take some forgetting, especially for the player, and it's made us curious of the error prone players across Europe.

We're looking at the defensive end of the spectrum here, with own goals, penalties conceded and general defensive errors leading to goals coming under the microscope under the total ‘errors’ bracket. The results brought up a number of goalkeepers at the top of the pile, so we've decided to focus purely on outfielders here, with the following 10 players most culpable when it comes to side's being the architects of their own downfall.

Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina)

Error Led to Goal: 1     Penalty Conceded: 2    Own Goal: 0   

Committing more fouls per game than any other centre-back in Europe, with 2.4, it is perhaps not a surprise to learn that two of Facundo Roncaglia's 'errors' here are penalties conceded. Somewhat of a hothead, picking up 8 yellow cards in 16 appearances; while his commitment is unquestionable the Fiorentina man's concentration and discipline requires work. An error leading to a goal in the most recent surprise defeat to Pescara ensures he comes in at the bottom of our 11 here.

Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan)

Error Led to Goal: 2     Penalty Conceded: 1    Own Goal: 0

The only non-defender to make this undesirable list is AC Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino, whose form has dropped significantly this season. His campaign started poorly, conceding a penalty in the second game against Bologna. A costly error leading to a goal in an eventual 3-2 defeat at Lazio was arguably his lowest point thus far but since then his mistake has also led to a goal at Torino. He did, however, score in that match to atone for his error.

Jonny Evans (Manchester United)

Error Led to Goal: 1     Penalty Conceded: 0    Own Goal: 2

Most would claim that Jonny Evans’ development has seen him become Manchester United's best centre-back thus far this season, particularly in the absence of captain Nemanja Vidic. There have, however, been a few blemishes to his record to date, though an own goal early on against Tottenham was more than a little unfortunate as he looked to block a Vertonghen shot. He was out of luck again later in the campaign against Newcastle, though his body position was all wrong this time as he inadvertently dispatched past De Gea for the second time this season.

Per Nilsson (Nurnberg)

Error Led to Goal: 2     Penalty Conceded: 1    Own Goal: 0

Nurnberg defender Per Nilsson is next up on our leaderboard with 3 'errors' in total, though two did come in a single match against Hannover early on in the Bundesliga season. The Swede's two errors leading to goals in that game saw his side eventually go down 4-1 and ensured he picked up a dismal rating of 4.3 from WhoScored for his troubles. More recently the 30 year old conceded a penalty against Hoffenheim, though the game was a much more positive one overall with Nilsson scoring at the other end to help his side to a 4-2 win.

John Boye (Rennes)

Error Led to Goal: 1     Penalty Conceded: 2    Own Goal: 0

Rennes centre-back John Boye's performances have attracted suitors this season, but the Ghanaian's discipline will need to improve if he is to make the next step. Like Roncaglia before him the 25 year old has conceded 2 penalties this season, in just 13 starts. The first came in the second game of the season against Bordeaux, though it eventually went unpunished, with Henri Saivet failing to convert, and the second was also missed in a 3-1 win over Nancy, so it's fair to say Boye's been let off the hook a little.

Michael Turner (Norwich)

Error Led to Goal: 2     Penalty Conceded: 1    Own Goal: 0

In an identical situation to the aforementioned Per Nilsson, both of the errors leading to goals made by Michael Turner this season were made in a single match. Liverpool's 5-2 win at Carrow Road certainly proved a turning point in Norwich's season and may well have done so on an individual level for Turner too, whose 4.4 WhoScored rating is indication of the dismal day that he had back in September. Having also conceded a penalty on the opening day to Fulham, Turner hasn't made an error since Liverpool's away day triumph.

Rincon (Troyes)

Error Led to Goal: 1     Penalty Conceded: 0    Own Goal: 2

Rincon is the second of three players in this piece to have already netted two own goals this season, with the Ligue 1 campaign starting woefully for the Brazilian. In Troyes' first game back in the top flight his first half own goal was enough to ensure all three points for opponents Valenciennes. Later in the season another own goal opened the scoring at fellow promoted outfit Bastia and the match was again decided by a single goal in the opponents' favour. An error in a game against Toulouse in September ensured Rincon had a difficult start to life in the French top flight.

Jon Aurtenetxe (Athletic Bilbao)

Error Led to Goal: 1     Penalty Conceded: 1    Own Goal: 1

One of only two players here to register a gaffe in each category, Bilbao youngster Aurtenetxe has had a pretty torrid time, in line with his side's league record. The 21 year old has only started 9 games this season, making his total all the more disappointing, first opening the scoring for Real Madrid with an own goal in an eventual 5-1 rout. His worst game of the season, however, is undoubtedly the most recent match against Zaragoza, where he conceded a penalty leading to the visitors first and committed an error capitalised upon for the second - the only 2 goals in the game.

Joel Matip (Schalke)

Error Led to Goal: 3     Penalty Conceded: 1    Own Goal: 0

Another youngster whose concentration clearly needs improving is Schalke's Joel Matip, with 3 errors leading to goals the most in our leaderboard. The most shocking thing about this, however, is that all three came in the final four games before the Bundesliga's winter break, with the Cameroonian’s mind perhaps on the holiday ahead. A penalty conceded at Hoffenheim earlier in the campaign also proved costly as his sided ended up the losers by a single goal in a 3-2 thriller.

Jos Hooiveld (Southampton)

Error Led to Goal: 0     Penalty Conceded: 2    Own Goal: 2

Southampton's Dutch centre-back could perhaps be considered as the most guilty party here, with his 4 'errors' overall coming from just 10 appearances all season. Another player who got off on the wrong foot in the current campaign, he conceded an early penalty in the opening day defeat to Man City before conceding another just two weeks later to the red side of Manchester. Own goals against Arsenal and Fulham followed in the next two games and it is hard to think of any player having a worse start to a season.

Davide Astori (Cagliari)

Error Led to Goal: 2     Penalty Conceded: 2    Own Goal: 1

The fact that the clear leader here, with 5 overall defensive 'errors', has been strongly linked with a move to join Hooiveld at Southampton will hardly ensure Saints fans that Davide Astori is the solid centre-back they need. The Italian has conceded two penalties this season, the first of which came in a disastrous season opener against Genoa for the 26 year old. Though the spot kick was missed Astori went on to commit 2 errors that led to the hosts 2 goals in a 2-0 win. Since that day he has conceded another penalty against Siena and completed the trio of unwanted stats here with an own goal against Inter.