Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Inter Milan on 25th May 1967 was celebrated not just for the fact it was the first time any British club had won the European Cup (indeed, any Northern European club) but because it was seen as a victory for attacking football over the “catenaccio” style of defensive (predominantly) Italian football. … [continue reading]
Scales, Welsh, CCV and Aerial Dominance
14We debated on the most recent Huddle Breakdown (please subscribe) regarding centre-backs and aerial duels and how helpful or not the available data is. This was prompted by the performances of Liam Scales and Stephen Welsh in the Scottish Cup match versus Livingston. The opponents, as is typical in Scotland, had the proverbial “big lad” … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – There’s Been An Intervention!
Two weeks of fixtures for the high price you pay to access all the data on this site – insert a sarky emoji here. This takes us up to the Scottish Cup matches and both sides have played 29 SPFL matches. The impact of big calls being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – Week 27
Week twenty-seven of the fixtures in the SPFL with no let-up in the array of questionable decisions. The impact of big calls being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 24/02/24 The Rangers vs Hearts Incident 1 Referee Nick Walsh Game Minute 48th Score At Time … [continue reading]
Injury Update
Injuries are all part of the realities of managing a football club. I rely on the club through official pressers and site write-ups for injury information. Clubs are not always open and transparent about such things. So, health warning regarding injury data! This season has not been particularly onerous thus far. Celtic, on average, are … [continue reading]
Red Card Impact
The review of the big calls affecting the top two in the SPFL by the Yorkshire Whistler throws up a 20 percent error rate currently. I then model the impact of that based on the expected points outcomes. Current Models As regards goals from open play given, not given, the model used is taken from … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – Week 26
A topsy-turvy weekend saw new leaders as plucky newcomers The Rangers hit the top of the league. This takes us up to date with all the SPFL Premiership matches. The impact of big calls being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 17/02/24 Celtic vs Kilmarnock … [continue reading]
The Sharp End
Not sure I should be talking about “packing” on Valentine’s Day (was a euphemism for being dumped back in the day). However, I cover the concept of packing a lot on here and The Huddle Breakdown as I believe, even more than expected goals, the whole concept does as good a job as any set … [continue reading]
Honest Mistakes – To Week 25
A lull since the early January games but a solid batch of scrutiny is required this week. This takes us up to date with all the SPFL Premiership matches. The impact of big calls being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL. 03/02/24 Aberdeen vs Celtic … [continue reading]
Getting the best from Kyogo
Whilst Celtic won again at the weekend to maintain a gap at the top of the SPFL Premiership, the manner of the 1-0 defeat of Ross County irked many in the support. A failure to build on a first minute Alistair Johnston deflected strike meant some nervy moments at the end of the match as … [continue reading]
Shot Conversion and System vs Individual
There are only nine occasions a Celtic player has achieved 20% or more conversion rate from all shots since my records started in 2014-15. On two of those occasions, the player was Kyogo Furuhashi and three of those occasions were last season. Here are the times a 20% all-shot conversion rate has been achieved (midfielders … [continue reading]