the wright effect - myth or reality?

[blade67]

I think we look a better defensive unit when Wright plays. Most people I speak to think the same but I thought it would be interesting to see if our results and goals conceded look any better when he's in the side.

The results (as compiled by me, so almost certainly full of errors ) are as follows.

I've only looked at games he's started in (he hasn't come on as a sub often anyway and mostly very late).

Helpfully he's started 14 games, so exactly half the matches we have played, meaning I don't need to do any maths to calculate if we are more effective with him in the team. Our record in those 14 games is

PLD = 14 / points won = 36 / gls conceded = 13

When he hasn't played our record is:

PLD = 14 / points won = 21 / gls conceded = 19

So there is a real correlation* between him starting and us conceding less and winning more points that matches what my eyes have been telling me.

* note that cause and correlation aren't always the same thing

In other words, "Chris, get Wright in the team"

 

[Slim Man]

Definitely. He's a top drawer defender.

 

[sitwell]

My view is that EEL is a far better player when he has Wright in the side.

 

[blade67]

My view is that EEL is a far better player when he has Wright in the side.

totally agree, it's like he's clear on his role and has less to think about.

 

[super_pig]

I think we look a better defensive unit when Wright plays. Most people I speak to think the same but I thought it would be interesting to see if our results and goals conceded look any better when he's in the side.

The results (as compiled by me, so almost certainly full of errors ) are as follows.

I've only looked at games he's started in (he hasn't come on as a sub often anyway and mostly very late).

Helpfully he's started 14 games, so exactly half the matches we have played, meaning I don't need to do any maths to calculate if we are more effective with him in the team. Our record in those 14 games is

PLD = 14 / points won = 36 / gls conceded = 13

When he hasn't played our record is:

PLD = 14 / points won = 21 / gls conceded = 19

So there is a real correlation* between him starting and us conceding less and winning more points that matches what my eyes have been telling me.

* note that cause and correlation aren't always the same thing

In other words, "Chris, get Wright in the team"

it's the type of goals though.. we cut out the comedy goals when he was playing.. teams scored yes but they weren't daft goals

 

[blade67]

it's the type of goals though.. we cut out the comedy goals when he was playing.. teams scored yes but they weren't daft goals

indeed we conceded less than a goal a game.

And that had an effect at the other end it seems as 36 points from 14 games sounds like some sort of world record to me

 

[Tyler Durden]

The only player we have who is even fit to be called a defender anymore. Getting him back into the team is a no-brainer.

 

[Stretch]

He has to start, simple as. Leader is written all over this guy and for me he is Captain in all but name when he plays.
He organises, tidies up, dispenses bollockings, makes Moore a better keeper and EEL a better player.

Something else he does as well (which no one else seems to do) is a) get in the ref's ear, A LOT, and b) takes care of the wind up merchants from the opposition team.
Today two incidents really stood out for me which I think influenced the ref in being more strict towards our players.First we have a corner and in the melee their no.4 goes down like a sack of shit, straight away their keeper is at the ref and stays talking to him for ages trying to convince him an elbow was used. Second when Lavery pulled out of the 1 on 1 with the keeper who still feigned injury before their no.5 pushed Lavery right in front of the ref and got away with it before again engaging the ref in a long uninterrupted chat, no doubt to try and gain some favour. Not one of our players stepped forward to intervene on either occasion. I bet you my right arm that Jake would have been over there in the thick of it to ensure the ref wasn't hoodwinked and to look after his teammate. He has done it countless times this season, especially at home and I think it has helped.

Either Bash or EEL need a rest now. I would probably stick EEL back to RCB because we stil need his height and strength. It's a bit harsh on Bash who hasn't done a lot wrong but he will feature again as the season goes on. We just need to steady this wobble and Jake was the guy who did it last time.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Only thing you can say against Wright is that he doesn't score goals.

Maybe, bearing in mind Chris's post-match diatribe against the strikers, we're having to act like the England cricket team - they stuff batsmen down to about no.9 cos they can't trust the top of the order; we have to have goalscoring defenders cos no-one else bar Billy knows where the net is.

Seriously though, get him back in (goals or no goals).

 

[Slim Man]

Only thing you can say against Wright is that he doesn't score goals.

Maybe, bearing in mind Chris's post-match diatribe against the strikers, we're having to act like the England cricket team - they stuff batsmen down to about no.9 cos they can't trust the top of the order; we have to have goalscoring defenders cos no-one else bar Billy knows where the net is.

Seriously though, get him back in (goals or no goals).

He doesn't have much chance though cos he stays back from corners to protect the counter. I don't really know why because he doesn't lose many headers.

 

[super_pig]

when he came on as sub a few fames ago it was a free kick and 'as he was running on' he was shouting and pointing 'you go there.. you mark him' etc

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

He doesn't have much chance though cos he stays back from corners to protect the counter. I don't really know why because he doesn't lose many headers.

Kieron Freeman said in the programme today that, if Wright scored, the players celebration would be the celebration to beat all celebrations. They'd probably all end up getting booked.

 

[SB_90]

He's the ex oxford utd Captain from last season so he brings that leadership & organision that we badly need