Packing was developed in Germany and if you engage Impect and give them money they will provide you with loads of meaningful and insightful data. But if you don’t have loads of money you are stuck with me. Packing covers a multitude of on-ball and off-ball actions and is therefore very useful. Let’s see who … [continue reading]
O'Riley
Productivity Gaps
I wrote yesterday on the overall team expected goals differential and how it is trending at +2 xG per game, therefore set up well for the end of the season. What of this group of players and their own expected scoring contributions (xSC) versus last season? A reminder: scoring contribution is goals + assists. Therefore, … [continue reading]
O’Riley: 100 Not Out
Matt O’Riley has reached 100 appearances in the 3-0 victory at St Mirren. He appears to be one of the team leaders on the pitch in terms of the way he conducts himself. I am settled in the opinion he is feeling unconstrained in terms of his role compared to the relative tactical straitjacket Ange … [continue reading]
Making Sense of Space
I found a nice feature on Sofascore today – average player positions. Average position obviously doesn’t mean that was where they always stood, and it doesn’t mean that is where they are always relative to teammates. Nevertheless, without complex tracking data it is the best we have to discern a semblance of shape. I wanted … [continue reading]
The Midfield Minefield
This analysis lark is much about pilfering and refining the fine work of others. It’s all fair game so long as you attribute! So, props and shout outs to @CannonStats on Twitter. You might want to follow them if your schadenfreude extents to giving support to Ange Postecoglou’s new big rivals. In this tweet, the … [continue reading]
Risk / Reward in Midfield
A short (lol) piece on assessing the risk versus reward dynamic amongst the central midfielders. Many supporters appreciated that “giving the ball away” is not always a negative per se, but the corollary to attempting high risk or creative passes. Losing the ball is worth it sometimes if there are chances being created and opponents … [continue reading]
O’Riley Does It Again
An aspect of packing I had not captured until this season concerns turnovers and recoveries. “What does all that jargon mean?” comes the plaintive cry. Let me unpack it. (Lol – I’m here all week.) Definitions Packing is the count and assignment of a value to score the taking out of opposition players with forward … [continue reading]
Jota and O’Riley Lead The Way
As we prepare for the SPFL to start up again, following the international break, here are the leaders in the Expected Scoring Contribution stakes. Expected Scoring Contribution (xSC) is a bit of a mouthful but simply is: Expected Goals per 90m + Expected Assists Per 90m = Expected Scoring Contribution per 90m Or xG90 + … [continue reading]
The Power of Recovery
When I started Celtic By Numbers the data I collected was very basic. Mainly defensive actions and passing and shot data but no xG. It has developed over the years as you learn more techniques and best practise. Now I rarely add “new” data points a) because it’s a real pain to do and b) … [continue reading]
Hatate, O’Riley, Rogic, Turnbull. Who do you pick?
If all four of Hatate, O’Riley, Rogic and Turnbull are fit, which two do you pair with McGregor to form the midfield three for the next match? Defending Let’s start with the dirty stuff. Midfield is an allrounders game. Even the attacking midfielders have to press and compete in Postecoglou’s system. The framework I use … [continue reading]