As our own malcontentjake and countless others have demonstrated repeatedly, the numerical shorthand for soccer formations which we're all accustomed to (e.g. 4-4-2) is almost completely useless. Whether you have a 'band of 4' defenders or a 'band of 5' is much less important than what those defenders are doing at any given time.

Philadelphia Union

The Goalkeeper has a transcript of Wednesday's press conference with Peter Nowak. Among the highlights:

On Pajoy: "He's a guy who brings not only character but also a mentality to the game. He's very physical, and very fast as well. He can change the game, because he's a different option.

The FIFA backed "International Federation of Football History & Statistics" (IFFHS) has released its Top 10 list of World Football Coaches & Managers, with Scotsman & Manchester United Coach/Manager Sir Alex Ferguson as the Top placed (Nº 1) so far this 21st Century. Ferguson leads by just 1 point Arsenal Coach/Manager Arsene Wenger with Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho in 3rd place.

It seems odd to me, but over the last few weeks I've seen Aaron Ramsey come in for a lot of criticism, especially on the angst-spewing machine that is Twitter. The main bone of contention seems to be that he has become an automatic first XI pick for Arsene this year, despite the fact that he has not contributed enough to the team.

This is the problem with using econometric analysis to identify causes within complex systems. Yes, Kuper and Syzmanski are able to identify a few 10,000 foot correlations that are fairly intuitive to begin with. But when the real work to identify the actual causes of something begins, the equations and models are revealed to be cartoon depictions of reality bolstered by some smart sounding phrases but demonstrating a frightening lack of subject knowledge depth.

With Liverpool facing Harry Rednapp's Spurs next Monday night,
statistics over the years show that Liverpool have the edge over Tottenham in the Primiership down the years as shown in the graph below.
However, in the last three games between the two sides its Spurs who are on top with a thumping 4-0 beating of Liverpool, preceded
by a 2-0 defeat at Anfield last May.

The statistics this morning read; Manchester United joint top but still second in the table due to an inferior goal difference compared to that of Manchester City. Our neighbours lost thanks to a...
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At half-time today, I admit that I feared the worst. We were losing 2-0 and staring in the face of exit from a competition which, realistically, offered our best opportunity of silverware this season. Fast forward 45 minutes, and Arsenal had completed one of the more memorable comebacks of recent times.

The modern football fan has access to statistics that would have seemed unthinkable only five or six years ago. Sites such as the marvellous whoscored.com offer the casual fan a site from which they can drag figures to prove or disprove their assertions on their side. Are we missing a lot of chances?

Published monthly, the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of national teams gives football fans across the world much to talk about, not to mention numerous statistics that sports betting outfits use to create odds. No one can deny it! It's exciting to see your country climb up a few spots and even more exciting to see your [.

AVB has responded today to claims made earlier in the week from Carlo Ancelotti that in order for Fernando Torres to step out of the shadows, Didier Drogba must be sold.
Let's just remind you of one thing, Villas-Boas very rarely likes to speak of individuals in relation to performances, he always focuses on the team.

As we enter the 2012 season, there are many questions surrounding the Union, but one of the biggest is what to make of our young striker, Danny Mwanga.

After a fantastic rookie year, Mwanga seemed to regress in 2011. He started fewer games and scored fewer goals than he did his rookie year, and his appearances were inconsistent: during some games he looked like an absolute world-beater, while more often he was anonymous.

This week's languagecaster main listening report spotlights the Football League Cup in England - it's format, history, some statistics, and cracking matches.

One of the most pleasing aspects of Tottenham's play at the moment is the number of clean sheets being recorded. While new goalkeeper Brad Friedel has played his part in these statistics, our occasionally patched up defence deserves most of the praise so does it really need reinforcements this month?

The last time the Revs had a top 3 pick in the draft, they took a 21-year-old named Taylor Twellman in 2002.

Ten years later, Jay Heaps and Co. hope that they landed a similar talent in Kelyn Rowe, who was selected with the third pick in Thursday's SuperDraft in Kansas City.

Rowe, a creative midfielder out of UCLA, will be be counted upon to revitalize an attack that was nearly non-existent for many stretches last season.

The FIFA backed "International Federation of Football History & Statistics" (IFFHS) has reconfirmed want everyone already knew, that SPANISH FOOTBALL Club FC BARCELONA is the "Best Football Team in the World" for 2011. It´s the third time ( 2007, 2009 & 2011) that Barça gets this outstanding recognition form the IFHHS.

With the debate over Manchester United's first-team goalkeeper raging ferociously, this author steps back and lets the statistics do the talking. Bereft of self confidence and devoid of regular...
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The legend of Pep Guardiola continues as he was named the best manager of 2011, ahead of José Mourinho (Real Madrid), last year's winner, and Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United).

Guardiola, who was recently named the world's best manager by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), picks up yet another acknowledgement to his brilliant career.

The legend of Pep Guardiola continues as he was named the best manager of 2011, ahead of José Mourinho (Real Madrid), last year's winner, and Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United).

Guardiola, who was recently named the world's best manager by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), picks up yet another acknowledgement to his brilliant career.

After similar pieces on League Two, League One and the Championship it seemed apt to do one on the Premier League. The following tables show the Premier League table had the season stretched from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2011. The first table displays the seventeen teams who spent the entirety of 2011 in the Premier League.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes made a shock return to Manchester United's midfield eight months after his retirement in yesterday's FA Cup clash with Manchester City. OTP decided to run the rule over Scholes' second debut with the aid of the Performa Sports iPad sports analysis app. So here's a statistical look at Scholes' influence [.

The following tables show the number of points earned by teams during 2011.

It's very tight at the top of the Championship table for 2011. Reading have the best points average yet it's Middlesbrough who picked up more points during the year. Both these sides are closely followed by Cardiff City who finish the year having picked up 82 points, an identical tally to Reading.

As there are three teams promoted and four teams relegated from League One, seventeen sides spent the entirety of 2011 in the third tier. Of these teams it was League One play-off finalists Huddersfield Town that ended the year with the best record. It was only everyone's favourite franchise MK Dons that won the same number of games during 2011.

Sounder at Heart reacted immediately yesterday to the MLS schedule announcement, posting an analysis of strength of schedule. They did a great job collecting the data, and concluded that "Seattle's getting it about as good as you can get it in the West, but of course the league bends over backwards for the Galaxy once again.

SPANISH & FC BARCELONA Coach JOSEP GUARDIOLA has been named by the FIFA backed "International Football Federation of History & Statistics" (IFFHS) as the "Best Coach in World Football". Its the second straight year that the Catalan gets this prestigious recognition & with a healthy margin over second placed José Mourinho of Real Madrid.

There are eighteen teams that spent the whole of 2011 in League Two (four teams are promoted each season, and two are relegated). Congratulations to Shrewsbury Town, who despite missing out in the League Two playoffs last May ended the year as the League Two side that had gained the most points (an impressive 86) during 2011.

The FIFA back "International Football Federation of History & Statistics" ( IFFHS ) has released its calculations & list for the "Best Goalkeeper in World Football". REAL MADRID CF & Spanish International IKER CASILLAS has been chosen & thus gains his 4th recognition from the IFHHS. On the list FC BARCELONA goalie VICTOR VALDES comes in 3rd placed.

The FIFA backed IFFHS ( International Football Federation of History & Statistics) has handed in their list of the "Best Midfielder in World Football" for 2011 ( game creator + assistances) . The FC BARCELONA & Spanish Football International XAVI HERNANDEZ tops the list over second placed team-mate Lionel Messi.

* In terms of stupid statistics, the one that was frequently mentioned before the game yesterday - that Arsenal hadn't won a league match against QPR in over a decade - was particularly stupid. They haven't been in the prem for that long, that's why, not because they have some form of hex over us.

Alex Rodriguez isn't exactly known for playing fair. This is a guy who has admitted to using steroids to further his baseball career. And now the third baseman for the New York Yankees is stretching the rules once again.

According to reports, Alex Rodriguez flew to Germany to get a controversial treatment done in an attempt to heal injuries to his left shoulder and right knee.

Last year we started a project to talk about players based on their tools. The idea was to get an outfield position neutral judgement of players based on seeing how they behave on or off the ball when the team either possesses or defends as well as how they use their physical attributes. The scale is an average starting center midfielder set at all 6s while a replacement level player would be straight 5s.

"In the Premier League the Christmas period is vital to get your points. "We have responded well to our defeat at Man City with a win at Aston Villa, so now it's down to us to do the job at home and get the points against Wolves on Tuesday. "Every game has its own difficulty [...]

How many passes did Jose make?

Jose Enrique recorded a very impressive pass completion rate during our goalless draw with Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night. Here are a selection of interesting statistics from the game courtesy of Opta.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-22 09:53:43 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Cristiano Ronaldo & Frank Lampard in highest-scoring XI the amazing statistics behind Premier League's 20,000 goals

As the Barclays Premier League celebrates a major milestone in the current top-flight era, Goal.com looks at some of the most interesting goal stats from the past two decades

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-12-21 21:07:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Cristiano Ronaldo & Frank Lampard in highest-scoring XI the amazing statistics behind Premier League's 20,000 goals

As the Barclays Premier League celebrates a major milestone in the current top-flight era, Goal.com looks at some of the most interesting goal stats from the past two decades

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-12-21 21:07:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Agger: We all deserve praise

Daniel Agger admits he has developed a strong understanding with fellow centre back Martin Skrtel – but insists Liverpool's impressive shut-out statistics are down to a collective effort.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-21 08:10:59 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

20,000 Premier League Goals: An Infographic Breakdown

With the Premier League hovering around 20,000 league goals in its history, Barclays created an infographic to display some of the major trends of goalscoring since the league's inception in 1992.

The Premiership is entering one of the most crowded times of the year when teams are playing every few days, things are getting interesting and statistics can change in the blink of an eye. In the festive period many people like to have a bet on their favourite team so here is a little guide [...]

Who had the most shots at Villa?

Jonjo Shelvey made his first ever Barclays Premier League start for Liverpool at Villa Park and recorded some impressive figures. Here are a selection of interesting statistics from the game courtesy of Opta.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-19 10:50:04 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Jonjo impresses on first start

Jonjo Shelvey made his first ever Barclays Premier League start for Liverpool at Villa Park and recorded some impressive figures. Here are a selection of interesting statistics from the game courtesy of Opta.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-19 10:11:08 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.