Numbers Now Add Up For Patient Bees
The Football League Paper|November 12, 2017

IN FOOTBALL only one statistic really matters: the final score.

Numbers Now Add Up For Patient Bees

However, such is the desire to influence or anticipate that reckoning, the game has now followed the US path to statistical obsession with everyone from directors of football to gamblers taking an ever-keener interest in the game’s numbers.

Sometimes the sums add up to produce useful conclusions, but at others they confuse, obscure or mislead.

The original Moneyball, as featured in Michael Lewis’ book and the subsequent film, was successful for Billy Beane and the Oakland A’s.

However, baseball is a sport in which every play starts with a fixed point of action, usually involves only four people (pitcher, hitter, fielder, baseman) and has restricted possibilities. Beane also looked for very specific indicators to find undervalued players.

Statistics

Football, a fluid sport with 22 players always engaged and almost unlimited variables, has proved much harder to quantify.

Passing statistics, for example, are largely meaningless, unless boiled down to specific types of pass put into a game context (which, increasingly, can be done, but often is not).

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 12, 2017-Ausgabe von The Football League Paper.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 12, 2017-Ausgabe von The Football League Paper.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE PAPERAlle anzeigen
END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
The Football League Paper

END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS

EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.

time-read
1 min  |
November 03, 2024
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
The Football League Paper

GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY

THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
The Football League Paper

KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN

HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff questioned his players’ mentality after goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s bloomer handed NonLeague Tamworth a shock win.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
The Football League Paper

ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...

DECISIVE goals at either end of the game from Jordan Slew and Rhys Williams helped League Two Morecambe avoid a potential banana skin against National League South outfit Worthing.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
The Football League Paper

MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS

HONEST Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has acknowledged his side were pushed all the way in their tie against Weston-super-Mare.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL  GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
The Football League Paper

'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'

GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
The Football League Paper

POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES

Murphy's in to deny the Tigers

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
The Football League Paper

SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH

NARCIS Pelach admitted Stoke have been working tirelessly on set-pieces since his arrival – and he was pleased the hard work paid dividends with the winner against Derby.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
The Football League Paper

Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues

MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
The Football League Paper

JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE

FOUR second-half goals in an incredible display from Vakoun Bayo powered Watford to a resounding victory at Hillsborough.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 03, 2024