I WAS pleased to read Sam Allardyce is using statistical analysis to back his belief that next season could be the biggest challenge yet (BEN Thursday May 16).
Try these statistics for the season just ended Sam.
1. Only three teams conceded more goals than Bolton's 62. viz Derby 63 Ipswich 64 and Leicester 64. All three were relegated.
2. Only three teams gained fewer home points than Bolton's 22. Two were relegated.
3. Only four teams had a worse goal difference than Bolton's -- 18. All these teams finished in the bottom four.
4. Only seven teams scored fewer goals than Bolton's 44. Four of these teams finished in the bottom four.
5. Bolton won just nine out of 38 league games. Only two teams won less: Derby 8 and Leicester 5. Ipswich also won 9. All three relegated.
6. Bolton finished fifth from bottom losing 16 league games, the same number as Spurs who finished ninth from the top!
7. Only eight strikers scored more league goals than Ricketts 12, and seven of these played for the top six clubs.
8. Eight red card dismissals equates to points thrown away through stupidity. The solution appears to be simple -- strengthen the attack and improve the defence. The club's performance indicators for next season have to be a) to score more goals b) to concede fewer goals c) to win more games and d) to improve on field discipline.
The problem is that the other 19 teams will all be trying to do the same. The best of luck for next season Sam.
Bert Smethurst
Woodford Grove
Bolton
I WAS pleased to read Sam Allardyce is using statistical analysis "to back his belief that next season could be the biggest challenge yet (BEN Thursday May 16).
Try these statistics for the season just ended Sam.
1. Only three teams conceded more goals than Bolton's 62. viz Derby 63 Ipswich 64 and Leicester 64. All three were relegated.
2. Only three teams gained fewer home points than Bolton's 22. Two of those sides were relegated to Division One.
3. Only four teams had a worse goal difference than Bolton's -- 18. All these teams finished in the bottom four.
4. Only seven teams scored fewer goals than Bolton's 44. Four of these teams finished in the bottom four.
5. Bolton won just nine out of 38 league games. Only two teams won less: Derby 8 and Leicester 5. Ipswich also won 9. All three relegated.
6. Bolton finished fifth from bottom losing 16 league games, the same number as Spurs who finished ninth from the top!
7. Only eight strikers scored more league goals than Ricketts 12, and seven of these played for the top six clubs.
8. Eight red card dismissals equates to points thrown away through stupidity. The solution appears to be simple -- strengthen the attack and improve the defence. The club's performance indicators for next season have to be a) to score more goals b) to concede fewer goals c) to win more games and d) to improve on field discipline.
The problem is that the other 19 teams will be trying to do the same. Best of luck next season Sam.
Bert Smethurst
Woodford Grove
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