I've looked at other teams in the past with envy, that they look so well-drilled and cohesive. Like you say, greater than the sum of their parts. Now we look like that side and, with some really talented players, the sum that the coaches have created is pretty magnificent. Go on lads!
Maybe this stat is more telling, in their four league games they have had 73 touches in their opponents box and given away 180 in their own a negative score of 103. A lot more blocks needed when you play like that. For comparison we have had 102 touches in the opponents box and given away 53, a positive score of +49.
Brilliant thread mate. I dont normally predict but think we will win. Plymouth will improve as the season goes on and Rooney will prove a few wrong in my opinion. But at the end of the day we have momentum and better players. I think we will control the game and win with a clean sheet. The Neil debate isnt a debate for me. He remains the first name on the teamsheet when available for me. What he brings in that role is way beyond what any other player can bring. Jobe looked good against Pompey but look at the way he receives the ball, positions himself and passes short and medium and you see why Neil is that much better. Jobe is much more useful further forward imo and will get double figure goals this season. For me Browne is 4th choice so far and sits out, he isnt as good as Jobe, Rigg, Neil yet. Mind you RLB is the decision maker, not me, so we will see what his view is. He has earned my absolute respect quickly.
Just listened to RLB's pre match interview. I really think we've struck gold with him. Comes across very measured and grounded. There's an intelligence there that I don't think we've seen in our recent appointments.
Right that's how I feel. We look like the team where if it was anyone else you'd be saying they are nailed on for promotion. Early days but if can keep this up and bounce straight back from the first loss when it comes. The only caveat I have is that we've still not played anyone good yet. Boro and then Leeds on October will give us a good idea.
Real banana skin this one, last couple games they've played pretty well and I'm always wary coming off an international break Big test to see how far we've come, looking forward to seeing the starting line up - probably the 1st one of the season that I can't call
I do give them credit, which is why I have predicted a win and I do believe that they "could" keep a clean sheet, but maybe not on Saturday!
I don’t think Rooney is right whatsoever but I’m sure our xG that game was only about 1.5 - which is why I think that stat is a load of cack, considering Cirkin scored a header from about 6 yards totally unmarked, O’nien had no defenders within 10 yards of him when he knocked it past the keeper and Mayenda scored a tap in that he couldn’t miss. I’m all for a bit of data but I don’t see how you can accurately rate a specific chance as essentially a percentage of scoring, which is proven by different data analysts giving different xG outputs for specific chances.
I've honestly no idea what you're saying ... ... I do know we totally overwhelmed Wednesday and should've scored a few more. We eased off in the second half and RLB started 'resting' players.
xGOT is better in my opinion, xG is becoming slightly outdated but it's much more available than xGOT
Would a manager pay any attention to these things, or is it just for fans who like stats ... ... no one ever seems to agree.
Yes, ones who don't are being phased out of the game. Different clubs and different coaches like different stats and different types of data. It's all about finding an edge on everyone else.
