I finally got round to compiling manager performance data going back a wee bit further than 1992. 1946 to be precise; the first league season after World War II.
There’s very little narrative required, but I should explain the data is limited to the top flight only, seasons in the old Divisions Two and Three were excluded. All matches were recalculated on a basis of three points for a win. A handful of games without a permanent manager
An extremely interesting, and in some cases surprising, opening weekend to the new 2010/11 Premiership season. From Mancini’s millionaires leaving London with a point thanks to a quite amazing performance from the young Joe Hart, through caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald overseeing a scintillating display from his temporary charges at Villa Park, to Pepe Reina gifting Arsenal a share of the spoils at Anfield with a comedy own goal.
Hart Saves The Day
The curtain opener took place at White Hart Lane,
I’ve been working on developing Statshack 2.0, but I have to confess that I left myself with more to do than I realised and despite a late night last night, it’s still not ready. Also, I’m not sure why, but the average position map data doesn’t seem to be working, so I’m using my own interpretation of the general positions the players took up for now.
System wise, it was more of a 4-4-1-1 than a 4-2-3-1, although they may
Note: I was literally about to send this post live when Monday’s bombshell dropped and it ended up being cast to the side while more pressing matters took over. I’m releasing it now should a certain midfielder arrive which would mean redoing all the graphics – no, I didn’t use Milner by the way and no, I don’t have any information about that certain midfielder either.
I’ve been developing some graphics in spare moments over the summer which you’ll probably
Not the greatest of shocks, it was looking dicey 10 days ago, but it’s been confirmed that James Collins and Carlos Cueller will not be available for the season opener against West Ham on Saturday. As far as I know, Richard Dunne came through Ireland’s 1-0 loss to Argentina unscathed and there should be no issue with Ciaran Clark.
Curtis Davies and Gabby Agbonlahor are both back in training and there’s some optimism that they will be available. Ashley
Squad Numbers for 2010/11 have been announced and the only significant change is Stephen Warnock taking the number 3 shirt after Freddie Bouma left the club at the end of the season. If you’re wondering what Freddie’s up to, I’ve heard nothing since he went back to PSV on trial in June and I’m assuming that’s still the case. Perhaps no news is good news, but surely we would have heard by now if they were going to
We were required to submit our Europa League squad for the play off round by midnight Monday and while I’ve waited for that information to filter through, part of me has wondered whether discussions about that squad could have been a catalyst for Martin O’Neill walking out.
I don’t know whether that was the case, I don’t know whether it was rushed through after MON walked, but at the moment it appears that Nathan Delfouneso and Marc Albrighton have not been
OK, it’s not a new signing, but with the current sombre atmosphere, I thought it worth bringing some good news. Oh, and this was something I got a little sniff of back in June. I know, hold the front page, a major scoop for AVC and high fives all round!!
The details were correct, it is a new 3 year contract and Lichaj is looking forward to trying to force his way into the first team at Villa Park
It’s brief, it doesn’t reveal much, but the General’s words, which I’ll add below shortly, don’t paint a rosy picture of the scenes behind closed doors at Villa Park.
On the basis of what’s been emerging in the last few days, why Martin O’Neill signed another 12 month contract not two months ago is a mystery to me. I’m sure he’ll give his own version in due course.
Randy Lerner
Having had some time to reflect on Martin leaving, I can say