ucandomagic
Well-Known Member
So, the pre-season dust is settling, and the real work starts now.
If Oli McB and other(s) appear before we rub up against some Bristols next Saturday we may be a bit different from what we have seen so far, but....
....6 friendlies v York, Rotherham, Burton, Chez, Nice and Fulham....
....Scored 22 and conceded 9 – average 3.7 for and 1.5 against, 5.2 goals per game!
If we average 5 goals a game in the actual season we could be in for some exciting times!!
Last season we scored 63 goals against an XG of 63 and conceded 36 against an XGA of 49.7.
Our defensive performances will define the coming season.
We conceded an average 0.78 goals per game last season and 1.5 per game in our 6 friendlies this year. We have looked sloppy at the back. With Barrie, Brooks and Campbell in front of Hamer and O’Hare we will score goals, but with a leaky backside you’re in the shit!
Anyway, Table 1 is my forecast of how the season will end – 3rd place again! Actually, I think it will be very tight between us and Southampton – but I watched Birmingham beat Forest today, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they jumped above both us and The Saints and finished second. TB12 has an amazing effect wherever he goes – Patriots to Buccaneers to Raiders to Birmingham – he is the consummate professional – the GOAT of all GOATS.
Table 1:

I’ll do my usual plots each week – Graph 1 will compare with my benchmarks for Autos, Playoffs and Possible Playoffs – this uses my predicted final table to judge form for the result against our actual opponent each game. I’ve used 92 points as Autos again – I don’t think we’ve got 2 teams like Leeds and Burnley this season – but maybe it’s us who really catches fire this time, and blows the rest away!
Graph 1:

Graph 2 will compare against 3 of our recent seasons – I’ve given Chris 92 points for last season, as the comparison is against form on the pitch – not net points.
Graph 2:

I’ll do some stuff with XG’s and XG Tables as we go along as well – as that can indicate teams whose performances are better or worse than their results. It’s also useful in predicting the next game’s results.
2-1 or 3-1 Blades next Saturday.
So, once again,
UTB & Slava Ukraini!
If Oli McB and other(s) appear before we rub up against some Bristols next Saturday we may be a bit different from what we have seen so far, but....
....6 friendlies v York, Rotherham, Burton, Chez, Nice and Fulham....
....Scored 22 and conceded 9 – average 3.7 for and 1.5 against, 5.2 goals per game!
If we average 5 goals a game in the actual season we could be in for some exciting times!!
Last season we scored 63 goals against an XG of 63 and conceded 36 against an XGA of 49.7.
Our defensive performances will define the coming season.
We conceded an average 0.78 goals per game last season and 1.5 per game in our 6 friendlies this year. We have looked sloppy at the back. With Barrie, Brooks and Campbell in front of Hamer and O’Hare we will score goals, but with a leaky backside you’re in the shit!
Anyway, Table 1 is my forecast of how the season will end – 3rd place again! Actually, I think it will be very tight between us and Southampton – but I watched Birmingham beat Forest today, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they jumped above both us and The Saints and finished second. TB12 has an amazing effect wherever he goes – Patriots to Buccaneers to Raiders to Birmingham – he is the consummate professional – the GOAT of all GOATS.
Table 1:

I’ll do my usual plots each week – Graph 1 will compare with my benchmarks for Autos, Playoffs and Possible Playoffs – this uses my predicted final table to judge form for the result against our actual opponent each game. I’ve used 92 points as Autos again – I don’t think we’ve got 2 teams like Leeds and Burnley this season – but maybe it’s us who really catches fire this time, and blows the rest away!
Graph 1:

Graph 2 will compare against 3 of our recent seasons – I’ve given Chris 92 points for last season, as the comparison is against form on the pitch – not net points.
Graph 2:

I’ll do some stuff with XG’s and XG Tables as we go along as well – as that can indicate teams whose performances are better or worse than their results. It’s also useful in predicting the next game’s results.
2-1 or 3-1 Blades next Saturday.
So, once again,
UTB & Slava Ukraini!