Opta report

Your post is absolutely laughable, given that I am a maths undergraduate and you have ignored the mathematical argument I presented in my post.

weww, I didn't really want to reply to your second para but here goes: wat.

 

Ha ha. Undergraduate who thinks he knows everything... What a surprise!

Your point was basically "it's really hard to create stats models for football". No **** Sherlock.

 

Pfft... I was a maths undergrad for all that I could take of it, and even I learned statistics is a vital part of theoretical and practical application models in pretty much every sector of living. Not using every tool and advantage available to you is pretty dumb in my opinion.

I for one find stats incredibly informative. The other year we found that Pardew's tactics categorically relied on our 11 players outrunning the opposition, which allowed us to use two strikers instead of the now almost default one, as our midfield's presence was all over the park (hence what I like to call the Spiderman-effect)... This advantage has been significantly reduced in season's since, although it is clearly still his preference. Now you might notice this from simply watching play, but the stats open new technical discussions we can have on our board.

 

This is nice n'all, but I'm not sure what point you're making. I don't think you do either.

Nope, try again. Or maybe not. Perhaps just stop thinking.

 

You mean you failed?

OK. Bye.

 

Wrong, I decided I didn't wish to do it anymore, partly because you meet some of the most arrogant arsewipes in the 21st century , and got a degree in Archaeology and Ancient History instead. I passed the year in Mathematics and Physics (not one dimensional sally like you pieface) with good marks and moved on, thanks for your concern. My professors actually noted I could come back and complete the course whenever I liked.

And my dissertation included stats by the way

 

Thanks for proving my point. You're soooooo knowledgable and obviously so much more intelligent than the rest of us. I wish I knew as much as you do.

 

Haha! Love it

 

Anyway, amusing ignorant interlude aside, thanks for posting that Fred

I think the overall rating system for individual players is always going to be quite fallible, but the snippets about our general play in comparison with the rest of the league is interesting. We desperately need to keep the ball better when we're attacking. Given we're not even half way through, I'd anticipate us to improve slightly over the coming run of fixtures. Unfortunately, we're doing best when the opposition have the majority of possession, and in the next few games we'll be expected to dominate that. The exact circumstances we've struggled under this year.

 

Fair play, mate. Love it. Haha(?)

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JPF... can you please release Atticus from your back pocket fella.. that's cruel...

 

Just can't see it myself. He just seems to be performing better himself, as are his players. In the main, like most things in professional sport, it comes down to having good players, confident and in the right frame of mind. I think it is pretty obvious looking on we are just in a better place mentally. Pardew has always been an advocate of sports science and stats, I can't see any difference in his approach. Last year has maybe taught him how to deal with adversity better. Last year I felt he became scrambled under pressure, this was reflected on the pitch, his selections and subs. He seems to have realised that being able to relax, even in extreme situations is very important. The one time he struggled a little bit was the derby, which is understandable, as its a game he and the supporters are always desperate to do well in.

Stats certainly have their place, but you can't let them govern how you manage a football team, it would be insane. Its not like baseball, basketball or American football which lend themselves to a more stats driven approach. Just way too many variables for stats to control. You can use stats in football to look for little fillips here and there. But there are far more important aspects like coaching, fitness and most of all mental preparation. Most footballers understand tactics, most are fit, most are technically capable, etc etc. Being mentally in the right place to carry out said tactics etc is far more complicated. SAF was always the master of understanding the mind. Shankley another.

You could of course argue stats govern coaching or fitness by looking at outputs, or coaching certain things based on statistical analysis but being honest it is stretching the realms of impact of stats a bit.

 

We've got Pards, we don't need stats!

 

We have got the sexy silver fox. Statistically the sexiest manager in the PL. Scientific fact

 

We might have to wait for Atticus's approval about that.

 

Your forms for the "Pardew In" club are in the post lads. See Jim for the initiation ceremony.

#painful

 

Thought that might appeal to you.