CVByrne Posted December 2, 2014 Posted December 2, 2014 This is something that does my noodle in. People more and more just quote statistics, as if just stating them actually means anything. You need to qualify what it is, Villa have got 2 draws and 3 defeats away at Palace in the Premier League era. Ok that is the Birmingham Mails stat. They've stated it, now what are they inferring from that? Is it that somehow players who play for Villa can't perform at that ground? What is it they are doing? It is like like saying, Dave has flipped a coin and has got heads 5 times in a row. What are we inferring from that? I mean, people in modern society are simply infatuated by the randomness of a sequence, despite the fact they have to occur. We play so many teams that it's inevitable one of the teams we will have a sequence like this against born out of randomness. Where sequences built up during a season, infer that a team is in / out of form, our leaky in defence , strong in attack etc.. The last 5 scorers in this fixture had red hair. What on earth are we supposed to do with useless information like that. People seem to love stats and quoting them without every trying to engage their brains.
villalad21 Posted December 2, 2014 Posted December 2, 2014 (edited) There are 2 types of statistics for me, relevant statistics (Like how many shots on target, goals scored, goals you have conceded throughout let's say 3 months) And then we have the irrelevant statistics, you are referring to in your post. Imo, statistics means something, but only the right kinds of statistics. It gives you a conclusion of your team's weaknesses and/or strenghts. Edited December 2, 2014 by villalad21 2
CVByrne Posted December 2, 2014 Author Posted December 2, 2014 There are 2 types of statistics for me, relevant statistics (Like how many shots on target, goals scored, goals you have conceded throughout let's say 3 months) And then we have the irrelevant statistics, you are referring to in your post. Imo, statistics means something, but only the right kinds of statistics. It gives your a conclusion of your team's weaknesses and/or strenghts. Totally agree, you use a stat to infer something. Villas lack of goals for example. Attribute to 1) No Benteke 2) Poor performances 3) Tough opposition etc... Same way we look at posession, shots on goal / on target also very useful. Pointing out a specific team we've had a sequence against. Pointless.
Popular Post Nigel Posted December 2, 2014 VT Supporter Popular Post Posted December 2, 2014 ....and the other 17% is just used to confuse people! 6
CVByrne Posted December 2, 2014 Author Posted December 2, 2014 84% of statistics are made up on the spot. 70% of people know that 1
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted December 2, 2014 Posted December 2, 2014 3 in 5 people misuse statistics.
Morley_crosses_to_Withe Posted December 2, 2014 Posted December 2, 2014 100% of misuse of statistics posts could go in the "Things that piss you off that shouldn't" thread.
Nigel Posted December 2, 2014 VT Supporter Posted December 2, 2014 10% of people who have posted on the misuse of statistics thread are party poopers!
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted December 2, 2014 Posted December 2, 2014 63% of party poopers do not, in fact, poop in parties. 2
Popular Post tonyh29 Posted December 2, 2014 Popular Post Posted December 2, 2014 Statistically 9 out of 10 people enjoy gang rape 5
CVByrne Posted December 3, 2014 Author Posted December 3, 2014 Aston Villa have a 100% record over Crystal Palace in the 2014/15 season
snowychap Posted December 3, 2014 Posted December 3, 2014 Statistically 9 out of 10 people enjoy gang rapeUnless they're the clown.Or have I got my stats mixed up? 1
MrDuck Posted December 3, 2014 Posted December 3, 2014 You can prove anything with statistics. Fourfty percent of people know that.
Enda Posted December 3, 2014 Posted December 3, 2014 The problem is that so many people associate correlation with causation. If that stopped, e.g. if the difference were taught in schools, then the media wouldn't blurt out all the trivial stats that lack any causal meaning. PS the next time you hear someone say "Villa haven't won in 3 games", remind yourself that they probably won their fourth last match. 1
Stevo985 Posted December 3, 2014 VT Supporter Posted December 3, 2014 Comparing Chelsea and Man City last night on Sky Sports news. I'm paraphrasing "Cahill and Kompany are the best defenders of their respective teams this season, but Cahill has performed better with 84 blocks compared to Kompany's 61"
Wainy316 Posted December 3, 2014 Posted December 3, 2014 Maybe because Kompnay dealt with the danger first and cleared the ball before resorting to blocking was necessary. Maybe.
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