SMRTILYTICS is a bit of a hobby of mine. For a full explanation of this project, check out the main SMRTILYTICS page. -OG
Week 8
Welcome back!
Some interesting trends beginning to emerge but as is so often said, I’m waiting until Week 10 to make any sort of bold predictions.
The biggest change to note in the graphic is the addition of Goals For to the Big Chart. I had been tracking this already and although I’m most concerned with Goals Against and Total Shot Ratio on Target, I think it adds to the broader context of what I’m tracking.
Some of the stories from Week 8 include the continued demise of Chelsea, the first managerial vacancies at Liverpool and Sunderland, Newcastle’s destruction at the hands of City, and Arsenal’s superb victory against United.
Let’s start with Chelsea. Their 8 points in 8 games is relegation form on it’s own but combined with a bottom 3 appearance in Goals Against and its hard to see how they’ll turn it around. I’m trying not to get too excited but watching the implosion so far has been fun and their stats have been consistently bad all season. They need to find a way to stop conceding goals if they even want to have a chance at moving up the table but I’m in favour of a protracted and miserable saga here.
Advocaat’s departure from his Sunderland post is hardly a surprise as even this early, they look certain for the drop. They are in the bottom 3 for almost every stat I’m tracking and they show little sign of improvement. The reading doesn’t improve at all for their Tyneside neighbours at Newcastle and if I had to pick both another relegation candidate as well as next managerial vacancy, it doesn’t look good for the Geordies.
Brendan Rodgers exit from Liverpool was a little harder to predict (although not by much). Liverpool are 6 points off the top and actually have a pretty decent Total Shot Ratio on Target in 0.58. Their problems look to be more of an alignment issue between expectations and spending which my stats don’t reveal.
Despite their slip-ups recently, City look the class of the League so far. Not only do they top the table in points, but they are also in the top 2 for every other stat I’m tracking. Earlier this season it wasn’t even close and fortunately for the rest of us, a couple of losses and some goals conceded have allowed the chasing pack to claw back some ground. They still have to be favourites for the League at this point.
Finally, of interest to us, how about the Arsenal?
Eight goals for and 2 against as well as 2 wins in 2 have improved our position significantly. Our Average Goals For (1.63) is slowly getting closer to the average required to win the League (2.09) while our Average Goals Against (0.88) is pretty much bang on where they need to be (0.85).
In addition, we continue to have significantly high shots for, both in general and on target. The goal scoring prowess of Alexis is a welcome sight as up to, and including Week 6, our high shot totals were not resulting in nearly enough goals. Let’s hope the groin problem isn’t serious.
Enjoy the Interlull and we’ll see you again after Week 10. Also, if you haven’t checked out my latest, Mesut the Magnificent, make sure you go give it a read.
Youknowit!
OG
Click this graphic to see it in full resolution.