Andre Ayew analysis: The OPTA heat maps that explain why Swansea City striker's form has cooled

Swans superstar Andre Ayew got off to a flying start to the season, but why have the goals stopped? Gareth Rogers of WalesOnline investigates with the help of OPTA heat maps

After his superb start to the season, Andre Ayew hasn't scored for Swansea City in more than a month.

The Ghanaian forward blazed onto the Premier League scene with goals against Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United in the opening month but since, the scores have dried up.

Analysis in his native Ghana claims Garry Monk has had him doing less attacking since the stunning 2-1 win against United, the last time he scored a goal in a Swans shirt.

Here we take a look at the OPTA heat maps that prove whether or not the Premier League's player of the month for August was used in a more conservative manner in September.

Chelsea (A) - Sat, Aug 8 (2-2 Draw)

The season started with a tough away game against the champions and, playing on the right wing, Ayew burst onto the scene by scoring the Swans' first goal of the season on 29 minutes.

What the heat map shows

Even though he stuck mostly on the right wing, he did little defending and even popped up in the box a few times. Ayew had clearly been given licence to drift onto the left wing and the edge of the box if he wanted.

Newcastle (H) - Sat, Aug 15 (2-0 Win)

In one of the Swans' most stylish wins of the season so far, Ayew scored again and did a lot of attacking.

What the heat map shows

Ayew spent almost the entire game in the Toon half, regularly coming off his wing and spending plenty of time in the box. Again you can see him moving to the left side and the edge of the box, areas where he could really hurt the opposition defence.

Sunderland (A) - Sat, Aug 22 (1-1 Draw)

On a tough trip to the north east, Ayew failed to score in a Swans match for the first time and did far less attacking than he and the fans had enjoyed previously.

What the heat map shows

The Ghanaian spent a lot of his time defending the halfway line and stuck rigidly to his right-wing position when attacking. He did enjoy the odd foray into the Black Cats' box, and the occasional run off his wing, but they were ultimately fruitless.

Man Utd (H) - Sat, Aug 30 (2-1 Win)

In the thrilling comeback win against United, Ayew got himself on the scoresheet once again, but had to be very disciplined in his approach to the game.

What the heat map shows

The right winger sticks rigidly to his position and there's little of the freedom seen in the win against Newcastle, or the draw at Chelsea. He's even spotted taking up centre-half positions on the edge of his own penalty box at times.

Watford (A) - Sat, Sep 12 (1-0 Defeat)

As the Swans' horror September started, the goals dried up for Ayew, as did the exciting forward runs and the free-spirited forays onto the left wing.

What the heat map shows

Ayew spends a significant amount of his time helping out right back Kyle Naughton and hardly has a touch inside the box. He played more like a traditional right midfielder than a right winger at Vicarage Road.

Everton (H) - Sat, Sep 19 (0-0 Draw)

In a tight game, Ayew managed to spend some time in the Toffees' box, but didn't manage to get the goal that would have won his team the game.

What the heat map shows

Ayew practically hugs the right touchline against Everton and doesn't set foot on the left-hand side of the pitch. Once again, we see him defending his own box a fair bit and the freedom he enjoyed in the early part of the season has all but dried up, as have his goals.

Southampton (A) - Sat, Sep 26 (3-1 Defeat)

Another goalless game for Ayew and could it be a coincidence that Swansea's worst performance of the season saw the smallest involvement from their star man? This game signalled a month without a goal for the former Marseille man.

What the heat map shows

Ayew hardly gets into any meaningful positions. Even though he moves about more, he spends most of his time on or around the halfway line, even popping up at left-back occasionally.