Whoscored PL FB statistics

[sloth]

Whoscored has a rating algorithm which calculates an over-all performance score for players. Facxtors which the consider include on field actions such as tackles, passes, dribbling success etc, and also other factors such as concentration. It keeps a data-base of these factors with which it can then compare individual players to their peers in the PL, from which they can then say whether compared to the average they're Strong, Very Strong, Weak, or very Weak, or simply unremarkable. Given the debate on here I thought it would be instructive to look at the whoscored ratings for FBs in the PL. Because I have a stake in the debate I'll not to put a slant on the facts in this OP and debate with the best of them in the comments section.

In no particular order:

Leighton Baines

Branislav Ivanovic

Pablo Zabaleta

Kyle Walker

Bacary Sagna

Ashley Cole

Patrice Evra

 

[sloth]

Looks like a decent set of FBs to me... what crucial factor(s), if any, do people think whoscored are failing to record here?

 

[CowInAComa]

ashley cole is not shit at tackling.

 

[Legend10]

How do they derive the player rating figure?

 

[sloth]

ashley cole is not shit at tackling.

The data is from this season only...

 

[sloth]

How do they derive the player rating figure?

Ratings**
Player ratings are based on each event recorded in the game calculated live automatically using our own algorithms, which comprise of over 200 raw statistics. All events are valued based on a researched perception of the effect on the outcome of the match. Positive events are valued against negative events.

**WhoScored.com’s expert analysis

http://www.whoscored.com/AboutUs

 

[Legend10]

Ok, problem is it's just raw without the inclusion of the difficulty element, a tackle can be easy or difficult as for example can a headed duel, easier to win them against Lennon than it is against Benteke. You put crosses into great areas but if nobody gets on the end of them or you don't get enough players in the box are you weak at crossing?

 

[CowInAComa]

Kyle comes out ok in the stats i think?

Though whatever the stats. I like Kyle Walker being in our side.

 

[fatpiranha]

Looks like a decent set of FBs to me... what crucial factor(s), if any, do people think whoscored are failing to record here?

I think pace is pretty crucial for a full back. Stamina as well in the modern game where they are expected to play as wing backs.

 

[vegassd]

Kyle Walker has "no significant weaknesses". Hmmm....?!?

For me, Walker's biggest problem is a seeming lack of intelligence - or maybe lack of imagination is a better way to phrase it. Often it looks like he has decided who he is going to pass to early and will then wait until that pass becomes available or he gets tackled. It's like his brain gets locked into one decision and he can't shift it to think of alternatives.

Having said that I think he is steadily improving, and experience will hopefully help with the imagination thing. He has supported our play very well in a lot of games so far.

Personally, I would feel more comfortable with all those other FBs ahead of Walker. Maybe Cole and Evra are winding down their careers but they are less likely to do something silly. (unless Cole has an air rifle)

 

[Lufti]

For Walker dribbling should be added to strengths and concentration to weaknesses

 

[Legend10]

I think pace is pretty crucial for a full back. Stamina as well in the modern game where they are expected to play as wing backs.

Agree a FB's ability to recover from an advanced position when possession is lost is very important, if he doesn't get midfield cover behind him when fully advanced he has to have that engine, Walker is the best at this and has it in spades, even by premier league payers exceptional levels he seems incredibly fit.

 

[Legend10]

Kyle Walker has "no significant weaknesses". Hmmm....?!?

For me, Walker's biggest problem is a seeming lack of intelligence - or maybe lack of imagination is a better way to phrase it. Often it looks like he has decided who he is going to pass to early and will then wait until that pass becomes available or he gets tackled. It's like his brain gets locked into one decision and he can't shift it to think of alternatives.

Having said that I think he is steadily improving, and experience will hopefully help with the imagination thing. He has supported our play very well in a lot of games so far.

Personally, I would feel more comfortable with all those other FBs ahead of Walker. Maybe Cole and Evra are winding down their careers but they are less likely to do something silly. (unless Cole has an air rifle)

Can't agree with any of that and intelligence is a word way over used on this forum.

 

[Legend10]

For Walker dribbling should be added to strengths and concentration to weaknesses

I wonder how they measure concentration?

 

[lennon4england]

How does Dawson compare against other CBs?

 

[Lufti]

I wonder how they measure concentration?

How many times they can manage a sentence without adding 'you know' or 'at the end of the day' in?

 

[JimmyG2]

Walker may be shit full back but he's our shit fullback and I like him.
Hand reared since a virtual youth and plumped full of Spursosity.
He even comes out well on a statistical basis
which proves what they always say about statistics.
I only use them when they agree with what I thought in the first place.

 

[sloth]

For Walker dribbling should be added to strengths and concentration to weaknesses

Concentration is a funny one because you wonder how they measure it, and because I'd expect it to be a weak point for Walker.

 

[Blake Griffin]

they also rate townsend as the 5th best player so far this season, ahead of ozil and aguero ...

 

[sloth]

Kyle Walker has "no significant weaknesses". Hmmm....?!?

For me, Walker's biggest problem is a seeming lack of intelligence - or maybe lack of imagination is a better way to phrase it. Often it looks like he has decided who he is going to pass to early and will then wait until that pass becomes available or he gets tackled. It's like his brain gets locked into one decision and he can't shift it to think of alternatives.

Having said that I think he is steadily improving, and experience will hopefully help with the imagination thing. He has supported our play very well in a lot of games so far.

Personally, I would feel more comfortable with all those other FBs ahead of Walker. Maybe Cole and Evra are winding down their careers but they are less likely to do something silly. (unless Cole has an air rifle)

In fairness, with the ratings most of the other FBs do come off a bit better. Legend made a good point about the flaws in raw data collection due to random variation, I think he's probably right about that, on the other hand the data is team blind and is collected equally from all teams unlike with our experience where we watch most of our games and fewer of other team's and so get patchy information on which to make judgements.