Football 2013-14 – A Fantasy Analysis – Part 2 Midfield

11 Replies to “Football 2013-14 – A Fantasy Analysis – Part 2 Midfield”

1. But these points don’t account for tracking back, decoy runs, passes made or displaced. It doesn’t account for any of the subtleties or nuance of the game. Am I missing something?

2. How the hell did Arteta end up with only 82 points? How did John Obi Mikel of Chelsea score 1 point for the entire season – same as Diaby who only had a single cameo for us?

   This is my problem with whole fantasy league thingy – it is subject to the whims of the same guys in the media that we all know can’t see beyond their noses.

   Arteta on 82 points when Steve Sidwell is on 118? What the bloody hell!

3. Boo – haven’t played FF for many, many years – but as far as I can recall the scoring is completely objective. Not sure how the rules work now, and clearly they are imperfect, but I do think they are fair anyway. Mind you, it is only a game and I don’t think it proves a great deal! It is like my son continually asking me for my evaluation of players for FIFA whatever it is – I have never played the game and I don’t really care!

   So I am more in Kelser’s boat on this one. Proper midfield stats would include things like tackles, interceptions, headers, distance covered, passes, passing accuracy, pass direction/length, key passes (i.e. attempted assists), assists and goals. On this basis I would take Ramsey over any other midfield player listed above. That kid, if he stays fit, will be world class within a year or two. Ultimately, I hope – no expect – he will be up there in the Henry/Bergkamp/Vieira class as one of our greatest players ever. I still maintain that Vieira is the best Arsenal player I have seen in my lifetime…

4. I’m sorry but you’ve got nothing but rubbish to create art and your painting stinks.

5. Menace – Yer what?!

6. Pete,

   I beg to differ about the scoring being objective because they are not. They are based on the individual newspaper’s players’ ratings for a round of matches. In other word, this is nothing but subjective view of some sports journalists. And we all know how good and objective they are at their jobs.

   Still, how did John Obi Mikel score only 1 point for a whole season? Is that a typo?

7. What I am saying is basically the basis of measure is nonsense, so the result can only be sewage. Incidentally I think it was Marks who said The Telegraph was a sewer. Considering the time he lived, nothings changed.

8. I am sorry, but i just get the fantasy football stuff.

9. My problem with these fantasy leagues is that they are flawed.
   The only good way to do things is to award points for quality of play, with a maximum of 90 if the player plays the whole game, or say 23 if he plays 23. Then add a time played proportional amount of points for pass completion rate, and other key indicators. Then finally add 15 points per assist, 25 per goal, 20 for penalty obtained, 20 for penalty scored, come up with point system for deductions for goals allowed, with a specific deduction for guilty players, including for penalties given away.

10. The scoring may be flawed but it is an interesting exercise and I for one find the article a decent enough but not perfext guide to last seasons performers.

    Thanks for your efforts Andrew.

11. Andrew, I wish you well with further parts. I have to go farming for a few days, and no internet.

    In the news today, are stories about whether England should play like Liverpool (can Rooney bite people?). The average latitude of the English team is about midway between West Midlands and Stoke-on-Trent. The teams most represented are Liverpool and ManU at 3 each. Merseyside has 10, London has 4, Southampton has 2, West Midlands 1 and Glasgow 1. The average final standing for the team is just under 5 at 4.83.

    A bunch of irrelevant data. I think they should try to play like a team, not a collection of individuals. If they can manage that, maybe they should then look to play like England.