By Stephen McGeoch The discrepancy between the expected and actual goals is certainly remarkable. With 20 games played, Celtic have scored 40 non-penalty goals in the SPFL this season. That’s 2.0 goals per match against an estimate of 2.8 goals. It feels like a lot, especially since it’s from a fairly large – 438 – … [continue reading]
Attacking
SPFL Attacking : First 8 Games
As we are still in the international break, a checkpoint on the SPF attacking stats to date. A Troubling Start? On a recent A Celtic State of Mind bulletin I gave a bullish response to the question of what the data showed regarding how are Celtic performing. Here is some more context to that. Although … [continue reading]
Finding Mister 20%
With the Champions League Qualifiers imminent, it was great to see Griffiths knocking the goals in preseason. Chances will be limited in these qualifiers an under prepared side kicks off before Wimbledon has finished. Shot efficiency will be key. Shot Accuracy The graph shows the % of all shots each player landed on target. It … [continue reading]
Someone Due A Doing?
To assess whether players have improved year on year, I compare their Expected Scoring Contributions (xSC) (Expected Goals (xG) and Expected Assists (xA)) over the last two seasons. xSC Expected Scoring Contribution (xSC) is the aggregation of xG and xA. Here is the change in the is combined metric over the last two seasons for … [continue reading]
Attacking Leaders for the Cup Final
Approaching the Scottish Cup Final, a refresh of the leaders in the Expected Goals and Assists map. Whatever you might think of Burke and Weah, there is no denying they provided attacking threat. Weah has the highest Expected Goals (xG) in the squad. Burke is a good all-rounder with a higher overall threat than Sinclair, … [continue reading]
Cross Yourself And Hope For The Best
The one tactical nuance introduced by Lennon has been a greater emphasis on crossing balls from the flanks into the box. On average, Celtic attempted 15.8 crosses per match under Rodgers and this is now 24 under Lennon. Lennon has seemed visibly frustrated at some of the build up play from Celtic. Under Rodgers they … [continue reading]
Celtic Player of the Year: Goal Threat
This is the third in my series summarising the season to aid selection of the Player of the Year. This final analysis considers Goal Threat. I have analysed defensive performances here – Celtic POTY: Defending. And Creativity can be assessed here – Celtic POTY: Creativity. Goals! Record singing and 21-year-old Frenchman Edouard leads the goal … [continue reading]
Forrest vs Sinclair: Wing Wonders
Forrest was the first to double digit goals and assists for Celtic and leads Scoring Contribution with 27. Sinclair has 7 goals in five matches. Which of the wing wonders is having the best overall season? Scoring Contribution and Expected Scoring Contribution Both players have featured heavily with Sinclair completing the equivalent of 26.36 matches … [continue reading]
In Defence of Edouard
BT Sport analyst and former Celt centre forward Chris Sutton was coruscating in his constant criticism of Edouard against FC Salzburg. He has pulled the Frenchman up for lack of movement and perceived inability to hold the ball up. With Edouard hobbling off against Motherwell, and despite the prognosis looking like a short injury outage, … [continue reading]
Celtic Speed Towards A Future Without Brown
The emergence of McGregor and Christie at the heart of midfield has undoubtedly reenergised Celtic. To the eye they play quicker and with more forward thrust. This has largely come about through serendipity. The injuries to captain Brown and others forced this arrangement. We may have a great manager but do we also have a … [continue reading]