A few (more positive) observations from the stats (Watford)

[Coolblade]

A few (more positive) observations from the stats:

- Brooks, for the second game running when he started, had the highest net positive contribution, with joint most shots, joint most key passes, a goal, but also four successful tackles, and two clearances. At the other end of the scale, Burrows had the lowest contribution with just one (failed) cross, no key passes, one tackle, no interceptions etc.

- Having criticized them for standing off and being too respectful to Burnley, our midfielders got stuck in far more with Davies and Peck with joint most tackles (5 each) being their highest all season, and with only one Watford player having a higher number. Peck also made four clearances, two interceptions and joint most successful dribbles. A much improved performance.

- Defensively, Anel had most contributions (including 3 tackles and 9 clearances). We remain below average on aerial duels (13 v 20) and unusually, Robbo won 7 of our duels despite normally struggling with that stat (being 5’11).

- Our attacking stats were lower than usual, One struggled to get involved too much (second lowest net contribution) but the role he played probably didn’t help. Hamer again with joint most shots, key passes, dribbles etc remains the catalyst - especially when he links up with O’Hare. Hope he’s ok!

Having seen some miserable performances at Watford recently I’m delighted we mixed it up and got a hugely important three points, when resources were stretched and confidence in danger of being knocked.

 

[Barmyblade]

Thanks Cool.

I appreciate it’s trickier but any useful stats on Cooper? He made a fair few saves again yesterday!

 

[Coolblade]

Getting geeky again, the best measure is probably PSxG, being the number of goals you would expect a keeper to have conceded, bearing in mind the number and position of all shots faced, as against the number actually conceded.

Over the season, Cooper is fifth in the Championship at +4.9 so saved us five goals more than you would expect an average keeper to let in. Top of the list (and the keeper I originally expected us to sign from the Millers) is Johannsen at Stoke at +12.8. Trafford is +6.5, whilst Meslier is -0.4. No criteria is perfect and a busier keeper may well have a better opportunity to get a positive score.

For further comparison, Beadle is -0.7; Long -1.7, and Gunn (second bottom) at -4.6 (I still bear a grudge following the game against Norwich a couple of years back!).

And Davies has been +0.1 for the games he played for us this season so didn't let anyone down. Last season, Grbic was -8.3 and Wes -3.5

 

[Terry Starlight]

I've tried and failed to find any distance covered stats. Are you able to enlighten me with how much distance Sydie, Tom D, and Cal covered?

 

[Bladeloyal]

I like the stat 1-2

 

[Bladeloyal]

I've tried and failed to find any distance covered stats. Are you able to enlighten me with how much distance Sydie, Tom D, and Cal covered?

Alot

 

[Coolblade]

Specialist companies such as Opta provide data for distance run, heat maps, number of sprints etc but you have to pay for it (and it's not cheap). They do occasionally produce PR type reports, and I recall that last season, as a team, we ranked 15th for distance run, and Sander Berge (at Burnley) ran further per game than any blades player - and was about 6th highest of all Prem players.