Kwan

Con sorry, I can't do it anymore. I love me some stats, but football stats as a whole are archaic and incomplete and any argument put forth as such requires context and a healthy dose of "These are probably not a good indicator of a player." Two things: 1) Sample Size Simply taking the stats of this season and saying that Bannan created x chances in so many minutes at x chances per minute without taking into account the minuscule sample size is simply not taking into account the enormity of the game. Consider that a whole season of games is 3600 minutes give or take with stoppage time, we've only gone through half of that. Consider that even a full season of stats isn't even enough to judge a player and you have an incomplete picture with numbers attached to the side. They're helpful but not indicative of a player's performance otherwise Albrighton should obviously start all our games! 2) Simplicity He has an X% passing accuracy and creates X/chances per minute are equivalent of saying that a baseball pitcher has this ERA and this many wins so he's obviously a good player. It's not true. There's so many other things to take into consideration besides the raw numbers. A complete vector diagram of his passes. His movement and ground covered. His positions when receiving the ball. The resulting positions when a pass is delivered. The regression rate of his "key passes." God, there's just so many things to take into consideration besides "% possession and complete" and "key passes created." They are helpful but shouldn't be used as a comprehensive indicator of a player's worth. I will agree with you that Bannan has created a good number of chances but exactly how helpful he is to the team as a whole is debatable at best and I certainly don't see him being linked to ManU and Arsenal anytime soon.

Yeah surprisingly you can. Of course Villa hardly gets a game on there, but its helpful sometimes

Recently moved to Pittsburgh. In between all of the Steelers and Pen bars, there sits one pub that has the audacity to show some games.

Hope the snow holds back. Going to watch this at a pub that actually shows some games. A rarity over here. Belgium

What's the chances this gets postponed?

I doubt Dunne is back, but I hope Vlaar is at least. If he is, I would go... Guzan Lowton - Vlaar - Clark -- Stevens ----------Westwood--Delph--------- ------CNZ-------------------Agbonlahor ---------Weimann-------Benteke-----

Dunne set to resume training. Didn't think I'd be so happy to see this fatty back.

Still don't think we get relegated. Then again, I'm a fan of some pretty shit teams here, so my optimism might be a bit jaded.

Desperately need him back. If nothing else, he can order the kids around so they're not wandering all over the place. A part of the problem with the back has been a complete lack of organization and communication. No one seems to know who's picking up who, players are unmarked running down channels, not to mention people catching our line real high. Hopefully Vlaar can help with those things.

Eh, don't know how I feel about this side. Depends how we're lining up. May be good on the break though

Given picked up a knock iirc. Don't know with Bennet

Can't afford an injury relapse. As crucial as tomorrow is, we need him for the rest of the season, not just tomorrow

Was a big fan of his, but it's just not there for me anymore. Whereas he used to play incisive passes (and not just Hollywood balls), it's either ticky tacky sideways or pinning someone on the wing. It makes for good numbers and possession stats but kills our game. Defends well in that he doesn't let his man by him usually but can't put in a tackle and he's just too static positionally. Before, he used to want the ball but now he seems to be dreading it when it comes his way. Thought he had some good moments in the second half where he actually got forward and would do well in a 3 man midfield in that attacking role, but just can't be part of a central 2 pairing.

You can shoot as many times as you want Charles, but you've gotta test the keeper

FFS

Even Shay's coming off his line. Must really want this.

Gah Tekkers! Tight angle but a good pass from Delph

Benteke winning every corner right now

I see Charles still hasn't improved in that whole decision making area

Ahhhh Andy! Couldn't get it under control

CNZ with a good run and shot

Missing that midfield link so far. Struggling to get it from Bannan and Delph to our attacking players.

Bannan and Delph just...

And greens if anyone cares about that

Going 4-2-3-1 apparently