Arthur

[Ugolini]

Originally Posted by wrexhamandy

Stats should be banned from football. Over-Americanised sports twattery.

9 out of 10 fans agree.

There are lies. damned lies and statistics as the old quote goes!!

[4nur]

As an American they are only interesting to me in that they give you something additional to talk about. That's it. For me. And I honestly do not talk about stats much because I am too busy doing things.

Unfortunately, I think that is the reason they are prevalent in America. In a desire to generate media content to cover 24 hours per day of coverage, they run out of things to talk about very fast when it's just this team lost, that team traded a player sort of things.

Bring in statistics, and it's just more stuff the sports media companies can talk about, and generate discussions about. It is common for sports media in America to have two or three analysts on air "debate" a point, such as which quarterback is the best in the league. Without stats, there is not really a debate. It's just I think it's Bob, you think it's Tim. Why? Dunno, just because. Next segment! Stats are good for media business.

Stats are also huge for betting, which is honestly where the money is now. And always has been, per the size of the buildings in Las Vegas.

Please have tons of stats available for decision makers like Phil Parkinson, privately. Then keep them the heck out of the public so people can just enjoy a sport they love because of the sport itself.

[Yeoman204]

Yeah, there’s a lot of teams chasing the right combination of numbers to give them a ‘Moneyball’ style advantage. Just most of the detailed stats in football are proprietary, or otherwise not generally publicly available, so it’s hard to have an informed discussion about any of them.

I do wonder if football just doesn’t lend itself to being quantified in that kind of way though. American sports do tend to be a bit more ‘constrained’ in terms being largely set-piece based (American Football, Baseball) or smaller playing areas/numbers of players (Basketball, Hockey), which means fewer variables to track.

[LWR]

Originally Posted by Yeoman204

Yeah, there’s a lot of teams chasing the right combination of numbers to give them a ‘Moneyball’ style advantage. Just most of the detailed stats in football are proprietary, or otherwise not generally publicly available, so it’s hard to have an informed discussion about any of them.

I do wonder if football just doesn’t lend itself to being quantified in that kind of way though. American sports do tend to be a bit more ‘constrained’ in terms being largely set-piece based (American Football, Baseball) or smaller playing areas/numbers of players (Basketball, Hockey), which means fewer variables to track.

It’s works to a degree. Brentford and their ownership group including the team in Denmark( I forget the name) led the way with it. But you’re right the free flowing game simply doesn’t lend itself to being analysed in the same way.

[fezbob]

I know he's a bit of an anomaly, but I often wonder if the likes of Lee Trundle would get picked up in a world dominated by stats. His goalscoring record would make him stand out, but you don't see as many flare players.

[mattwxm30]

Originally Posted by fezbob

I know he's a bit of an anomaly, but I often wonder if the likes of Lee Trundle would get picked up in a world dominated by stats. His goalscoring record would make him stand out, but you don't see as many flare players.

Agree. 'Luxury' players are being coached out of the game. The higher the level the higher the reliance of stats and sports science etc. Its an unavoidable path but the games definitely lost something as a result.

[Telford Dragon]

Originally Posted by mattwxm30

Agree. 'Luxury' players are being coached out of the game. The higher the level the higher the reliance of stats and sports science etc. Its an unavoidable path but the games definitely lost something as a result.

I have thought this too, especially when you don#t see wingers get to the byline then cut it back. You can never defend against it, no matter how good you are. Also, you don't see many players (midfielders spring to mind) who just think, flip it I'll hit and hope any more.

[Wrexy]

Originally Posted by Telford Dragon

I have thought this too, especially when you don#t see wingers get to the byline then cut it back. You can never defend against it, no matter how good you are. Also, you don't see many players (midfielders spring to mind) who just think, flip it I'll hit and hope any more.

One of my favourite footy books is Tales from the Boot Camps Steve Claridge's autobiography. He used to get fined by Cambridge manager John Beck if he cut inside. Every time he got the ball he had to give it to the wingers and then get in the box. Its a fascinating read on how managers dictate a team's style of play. There's an element of that at Wrexham in Parky's style of play.

[simon4012]

Imagine the stats of Matt le tissier if he wore one of the bras. One of the most gifted players I've ever seen and his best of goals are just sublime. He turned into a knob though.