I cant remember when but years ago any shot with a deflection was always classed as an OG. Now it seems to be if it was heading goalwards directly and takes a deflection its still the attacking players goal. Probably Sky's idea or Fat Franks.
I think a fair goals panel or something was set up by the FA so it can't be laid at SKY's door this time.
that's as it should be. otherwise some huge number of goals would go down as own-goals by goalkeepers who've got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out. who'd want to be a goalkeeper if half the goals your team concedes are down as your fault when you've made attempts to keep them all out?
When Thud plays we lose, when Meyler plays we win yada yada yada. What we really lack is team spirit. Something's very wrong at City and I think it reaches far further than the 'boot room'. Bad feeling can have a long reach. Be it the manager, the player's or the fans. That cancer came from somewhere. In my view it came from the Allams, because they didn't get the land they wanted and Assem is very very bitter about that. ALLAMS OUT...
You'd think with all the so called pl players we have there'd be a drive to get back there but there clearly isn't
I think they probably all want out because of the way Brucie tells them to play football - even Snodgrass said he was asked to play 4 different positions in 35 minutes in his post match interview
This is the root cause of our demise. They've alienated & split the supporters. When it mattered, they didn't support Bruce with the Gray signing, and I suspect prevented him from getting a "driver" team leader type. Someone like Cattermole - he was magnificent in Sunderland's win today. That in turn had Bruce clutching at straws and losing the plot. Side shows (name change & membership strategy) have diluted the enthusiasm of all (fans, team management & players all)
I hope they are true these stats. Amazing really. I know it appears absurd. I'm going by the stats when Meyler plays and when he doesn't play. I've had this argument enough times, so I don't expect you to accept it. As far as I'm concerned, the stats say Meyler has to play. If bringing a player into the team means the points per game gained rises by more than a point a game, that player should be in the team. City league record so far P 41 W 21 D 10 L 10 F 56 A 29 Pts 73 Win ratio 51.22% Goals per game 1.366, points per game 1.780 Without Meyler P 16 W 3 D 7 L 6 F 17 A 17 Pts 16 Win ratio 18.75% Goals per game 1.063, points per game 1.000 With Meyler (all games, including sub appearances) P 25 W 18 D 3 L 4 F 39 A 12 Pts 57 Win ratio 72.00% Goals per game 1.560, points per game 2.280 If you think any team can afford to omit a player whose presence (if nothing else) quadruples the win ratio, adds half a goal per game, and more than doubles the points per game, I'm happy for you to consider me mad. Oh, he won against Germany too.
Great analysis that Chazz. Interesting stats indeed. It certainly would add to the argument of his importance to City's effectiveness if it was possible to do the same analysis and include 1 or 2 more players who were on the park with him in those situations. It's never or highly unlikely that just one player's presence is the determining factor,unless it's a Ronaldo, Messi, Maradona type. Often as not it's the understanding, cohesion and "team work" between 2 or 3 players on the park at the same time that make a difference. He may be the primary factor involved in those incredible stats, but you'd need the back up stuff to prove it conclusively & use it as a guarantee for better results.
Ah. Still, worth looking further into imo. Sadly, it doesn't appear Bruce has that info, or certainly didn't use it in the last month. Edit. I watched the Sunderland game today. The impact Cattermole had on the team in their win was remarkable. In some ways Meyler is like him.
Think it was the same keeper when we last played them at home and Simpson scored from halfway up the South stand.
For me he is, he is 25 but in footballing terms a lot younger. Players like him who are late developers often turn out much better than ones that reach a high level early in their career. I rate Clucas highly to be honest and it's disappointing to see mindless abuse of the player who is clearly tired and out of form and always gives his all
Somebody else flagged this up (Chilterns?) and for me it's a telling stat, we play better as a team when he is involved. The reverse applied to Huddlestone and I'd like to see Diames stats too
I've defended Huddlestones performances to the hilt but it's hard to argue against those stats. I don't think it's Tom's fault. He's been playing well but for whatever reason we lose when he plays over Meyler. It'd be nice to be able to play him, Meyler and Jake at the same time without it meaning we have to play a lone striker. We have abundant strength in midfield which is why Hayden has had little chance, but our squad is unbalanced. Odubajo, Clucas and Snodgrass wouldn't fit into a 352 and they're some of the first names on the team sheet. So we have to play back four and we don't have anyone who can play as a lone centre forward so it basically has to be 442, meaning one of those middle 3 has to miss out.
