Spurs are now one point better off than we were in the identical fixtures during season 2011-12... please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image ...and if we can manage a win at Sunderland on Saturday, we'll increase the difference to plus three points (we drew up there last season).
Quite surprised about that, I guess in the second half of the season we'll have the fixtures that we picked up loads of points in last season as we're 9 points down from what we had last season after 19 games. Overall I think we're doing well. The players are enjoying themselves and motivated and whilst the quality of football isn't at the standard it was for most of last season we're in the right area of the table and hopefully will add an extra player of quality in January.
6061 meant compared to the same fixture last season, not the same number of fixtures, which we're 9 points down on. So today if we beat Sunderland we're plus 2 points on last season's result.
Interesting perspective, isn't it? With today's rotation at the back and our continued participation in the Europa League, it'll be a test for Villas-Boas to keep things going and avoid a poor run. We could end up with a similar points total to last season even if we don't have one, though. January could make all the difference.
Other statty analysis tells us we : - have the 2nd best form in the PL over the past 9 games (behind only Man Utd) - are the same number of pts behind the Mancs as exactly 12 months ago - had 3 consecutive PL shut-outs for the first time since the 2009-10 season Not bad going IMHO for an allegedly worse manager and squad than 12 months previous.
You can play around with stats all you like. This time last year it is undeniable that Spurs were on a long winning streak, had a settled team, which looked strong in all departments. We know what happened around Feb/March time. This season Spurs' form has been more patchy, as you would expect during a period of transition. The team has been relatively consistent recently, but has not approached the heights of last season. Only in the past few matches has the defence stood firm, which has been a significant factor in getting results. Comparing like for like results when so many factors have changed is, at best, misleading, at worst, totally meaningless.
Totally disagree it's a very fair way of looking at how this year's side is doing compared to last years. Drawing too many conclusions from the stats or pretending that being 3 points up on last year definitely means we're better than last year is misleading.
"You can play around with stats all you like." Many try. Unfortunately for you, this one knows how to analyse them properly. The form guide, points difference to the Mancs, league placing etc in the PRESENCE of changes but no change in comparative performance is, at least, notable, at best, STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
The analysis only makes sense because with 36 points from 20 games, you are more or less on course for the same points as last season. So it follows that selecting roughly half the games to make the comparison against will, statistically, produce similar results. But when you actully analyse those results, there isn't a pattern to them. The improvement, say, by winning at Old Trafford is counterbalanced by the loss at home to Wigan. Comparison of results only has meaning at the end of the season, I think.
"The analysis only makes sense because with 36 points from 20 games" Well of course it does !!! I cannot compare data that exists against data that doesn't. I can attempt to INFER the likelihood of future events based on previous data. But that is a another story. So getting back to it : Of the three variables analysed, there has been no significant change to date in Spurs PL performance regardless of changes in personnel.
I can agree with it, but only when compared to last season as a whole and not a selection of some of the results.
You don't think it's interesting to know that currently AVB is getting a similar level of results that 'Arry got last season? That's probably because you're not a Spurs fan so gerroff our board
I don't have any strong view; just a minority one it seems . Make of the stats what you will. Personally, I don't think they give you any great insight. You don't need stats to tell you AVB is doing reasonably well with plenty of the season left for improvement. But if there is one stat which represents a significant step forward, it's 6/10 away wins, including the win at OT. 18 points already is impressive.
I think that we've played away with less fear and more freedom the last couple of seasons, at home I think we know what we're going to get, teams sitting deep, and being at home its natural that the longer the game goes goalless, frustration is felt by the team and watching fans. Away, you don't mind it staying 0-0 with a chance of nicking it by an odd goal.
