Physical battle won by us today I thought

[Eric the Half a Bee]

What book did you get all that out of ?

None. I did my own little study using widely available stats comparing 3 seasons. It took about an hour and I just compared several stats, like pass accuracy, number of long and short passes etc.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

None. I did my own little study using widely available stats comparing 3 seasons. It took about an hour and I just compared several stats, like pass accuracy, number of long and short passes etc.

And that told you that championship managers like all round footballers ?

[Eric the Half a Bee]

And that told you that championship managers like all round footballers ?

Where have I said they like all-round footballers? I've mentioned trends that are happening. There's no doubt that players such as target men and midfield enforcers are in decline, players need to have more to their game than just brute force, but that's not to say they don't exist or can't be used effectively. Stats are so widely used nowadays by all accounts that low percentage football is being shyed away from.

5 years ago I can't recall ever hearing about a team's shape, yet I seem to hear that a lot nowadays. The number of tackles is down from a decade ago and the number of successful dribbles is up. I don't hear so much about poor disciplinary records, or players who regularly get booked and suspended. I suspect that's why there's often a lack of excitement in football games - teams are pretty well drilled, would rather keep the ball than waste it and games can become a stalemate.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Where have I said they like all-round footballers? I've mentioned trends that are happening. There's no doubt that players such as target men and midfield enforcers are in decline, players need to have more to their game than just brute force, but that's not to say they don't exist or can't be used effectively. Stats are so widely used nowadays by all accounts that low percentage football is being shyed away from.

5 years ago I can't recall ever hearing about a team's shape, yet I seem to hear that a lot nowadays. The number of tackles is down from a decade ago and the number of successful dribbles is up. I don't hear so much about poor disciplinary records, or players who regularly get booked and suspended. I suspect that's why there's often a lack of excitement in football games - teams are pretty well drilled, would rather keep the ball than waste it and games can become a stalemate.

You said that championship managers want players who can keep hold of the ball

You meant I think it's fair to say no more Willie Bolands

[2b2bdoo]

Where have I said they like all-round footballers? I've mentioned trends that are happening. There's no doubt that players such as target men and midfield enforcers are in decline, players need to have more to their game than just brute force, but that's not to say they don't exist or can't be used effectively. Stats are so widely used nowadays by all accounts that low percentage football is being shyed away from.

5 years ago I can't recall ever hearing about a team's shape, yet I seem to hear that a lot nowadays. The number of tackles is down from a decade ago and the number of successful dribbles is up. I don't hear so much about poor disciplinary records, or players who regularly get booked and suspended. I suspect that's why there's often a lack of excitement in football games - teams are pretty well drilled, would rather keep the ball than waste it and games can become a stalemate.

Having read that I wondered how much ball we had against Bristol City, just 39%, surprised me.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

You said that championship managers want players who can keep hold of the ball

You meant I think it's fair to say no more Willie Bolands

Willie Boland is a bit of an extreme example as he was generally useless with the ball.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Having read that I wondered how much ball we had against Bristol City, just 39%, surprised me.

Possession stats are among the most useless in football. Swanselona demonstrate that.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Willie Boland is a bit of an extreme example as he was generally useless with the ball.

Don't Diss An Enigma

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Don't Diss An Enigma

He was only an enigma for one person.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

He was only an enigma for one person.

He's got a fan club

[Eric the Half a Bee]

He's got a fan club

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I am membership secretary