I showed in the previous article how there is a wide disparity between players as the regards the quality of the shots they take. Also, we can look at shot accuracy and conversion rates. Shot Accuracy Shot accuracy is simply the % of all shots that are on target. If your shots are not on … [continue reading]
xG
Why We Should Love Dembele and Sinclair
Not all shots are equal. We can assess the quality of the shots players take on to see who has the best chance of scoring. And we should learn to love those that take on good quality shots! Extending the xG concept we can assess the overall quality of the shots each player is taking. … [continue reading]
Edouard – Over Performance or Massive Potential?
Celtic’s scoring prowess reduced this season. Celtic scored 126 goals over 61 matches (2.07 per game) compared to 150 over 59 last season (2.54 per game). Edouard scored 11 from 14 starts. Impressive? Yes! But that’s a lazy stat and here’s why. The Glossary buries lack of clarity from any distance into the bottom corner, … [continue reading]
Stats (Not) Entertainment
Celtic have scored 23 LESS goals in the SPFL after 32 matches than last season. The title is within view, but what about the entertainment? In 2016/17, the treble was founded on a dominant SPFL campaign in which 108 goals were scored. Celtic scored more goals than the quality of the chances they created would … [continue reading]
Comparing Expected Goals and Assists to 2016/17
As we know Celtic have suffered injury upon injury to the most creative players. On the other hand, the talent pool has deepened in this area with the additions of a third striker (Edouard), a new deep lying creator (Ntcham), a new winger (Hayes) and new number 10 (Musonda). Has this help mitigate the injuries? … [continue reading]
Odsonne to Flourish
A snapshot of shooting efficiency. This does not take in the Partick Thistle cup match – sorry James! Only players who have had more than 10 shots on target are included (14 in reality). Shot Accuracy This is simply the % of all shots the player manages to get on target. Sinclair was the most … [continue reading]
Dembele Dilemma
It’s Thursday, so Dembele’s staying! After a stellar first six months, it was claimed some of Europe’s elite clubs were looking at him with a £40m price tag mentioned. Now it is Brighton and Everton for around £18m. He has only appeared in 1/3rd of Celtic’s game minutes this season. With difficult second season syndrome … [continue reading]
Great Start Scott
Who scores the goals? The traditional pundit often attests the only numbers that matter are in the top left-hand corner of your screen – the game score. Goals are rare in football, around 3 per match, and goal scorers priceless. But those interested in performance know that to score a goal takes a team, and … [continue reading]
Attacking Analysis – Season So Far
This is the final article in a short series, taking advantage of the international break to baseline where the squad are against the performance metrics. So far, I have covered: Goalkeeping Defending Creating (Hosted on CeltsAreHere) As the team prepare to face Hamilton Academical away on the plastic, before embarking on the Champions League campaign, … [continue reading]