PLFantasy

A slight change of pace with this week's fanning the flames piece due to a couple of observations over the last few weeks and months. First, I felt that old graphic didn't really show enough information that might lead us to fan said flame (or, more likely douse those hyped up fires). Second, looking at the data on a single week basis was always going to lead to a large number of 'variances' due to the ridiculously small samples involved. I've therefore currently included three gameweeks of data, but have built the model to allow for anywhere between one and five to be included so this may again be tweaked in the future. Finally, this is a piece which should probably run every two or three weeks to avoid too much repetition, so this new format lends itself more to that time frame. First then, let's look at the new graphic and a couple of lines to illuminate the way the data is intended to be read: Powered by Tableau The G , xG , A , xA , P and xP ...

Looking back at last season Finished 4th in clean sheets (14) despite notching just 2 in the first 9 gameweeks (Chelsea already had 7 at that point). 8 clean sheets over the final 15 games suggest the team may be ready to become an elite defense once again under Dalglish Better defensively at home (0.74 GPG ) but still serviceable on the road (1.58 GPG ) making defenders playable virtually every week. Failed to score just 7 times all season and only twice under Dalglish (the final two games of the season with little to play for). Scored 23 goals in 20 games under Hodgson then 36 in 18 with Dalglish at the helm.  Boasted the 4th best home offense (1.95 GPG ) but were only okay away (1.16 GPG ). Defensive unit ranked 5th in total points and 6th in P$ . Part of this is based on the successful usage of some cheaper youngsters but it's an impressive record nonetheless. The midfield did well in total points with 706 (4th) but this translated into poor value for money with a P$ o...