leffe186

I never had great belief in statistical analysis of football matches, particularly percentage possession, but recently reading that Spurs dominated possession when they got twatted 6-0 by Man City and yet only had 25% possession when they beat Man Utd 3-2 has finished me with taking any notice whatsoever of it. Well, only if you take the simplistic view that winning the possession actually means something in of itself. Possession stats do indicate something - like any stat, skilful interpretation is key. It's no great surprise that we had lots of possession against City because (a) that's how we play now and (b) they just let us have the ball for the most part and hit us with quick, incisive moves. Or waited for us to fuck up. We actually didn't play particularly well when we beat Man U, but hit them with quick, incisive moves - thanks to Bale and Vertonghen in particular. The thinking is that if you retain the ball well, then you're more likely to create opportunities to score and the oppo - starved of the ball - is less likely to score. Nowt wrong with that, and you're going to want to see regular high possession stats if that's the way you want to play. If you want to analyze the game further you've got to watch the bloody thing. I've got about as much patience with people who dismiss these stats out-of-hand as those who use them without any kind of context.

Wow, didn't realize that the last time Villa beat Man U in the league was so long ago it prompted Hansen's "kids" remark. It's nice to know that both of us won the last time we played at Old Trafford.

Looks like a long injury lay-off for Adebayor: http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_mobile_host.htm

It's just emerged that Soldado's wife has had a miscarriage. Turns out it happened a couple of weeks ago. No wonder Defoe was playing, and I'm really glad that it has been handled this way. Terrible news.

Zabaleta, Ramsey, Yaya Toure, Aguero. Decent start, but not ripping any trees up. And also, everyone else has them too.

Dunno about that, but they're dirty bastards.

Lovely goal. Exactly what they're all there for.

Fuck me, looks like we actually worked on a set piece.

I've only been half-watching this, but St Gallen have been pissing all over Swansea for the last few minutes. Did Swansea have someone sent off, or something?

Fuck me. I think that's the first good thing I've ever seen one of those goal officials do.

Nice addition to the handball debate in the Wigan game.

They really are, but I always want to see what a kit would look like with the sponsor on. Sponsorless kits always, always look better than the real deal.

Every time. Bloody hell. Who'd have thought this would have so much mileage?

So you would add extra time on at the end of a match? Start the second half knowing that there will be, say three minutes extra minimum?

Isn't there some agent/ownership connection?

Bit harsh for HBA to be flicking V's at the poor kid.

Adequate.

Fuck me.

http://www.givemesport.com/406446-top-10-most-clinical-premier-league-teams-in-201314

Tonight? I say again, this is how we roll. It's driving me nuts.

Fuck me.

FUck me.

Wish we had a proper left back. We'd be appreciably better with Danny Rose.

He shifted gears nicely for our second goal.