Statistically Speaking: The Season So Far TSS October 29, 2011 Leeds United 13 Comments Now a quarter of the way in to the 2011/12 season, it seemed an appropriate time to look how we’re getting on – statistically speaking that is. Points Per Game The graph below shows the average points per game the Championship’s winners, runners-up and play-off teams have finished with over the last decade. Our average points per game so far is 1.62, which is slightly higher than an average play-off finish has been over the last decade – 1.60. What this shows is that pundits predictions for a smaller than ever promotion points tally (based on the number of quality teams taking points from one another) isn’t really panning out. Leeds’ points tally is pretty consistent with a 6th-7th place finish and it looks as though an average above 1.60 will be necessary if we’re to realise our dreams of a Wembley finale. The current leaders Southampton have an average points per game tally of 2.12. The Championship winners ten year average is 2.02. Accessory To Goal Fest Lazy, hearts-not-in-it, should-be-dropped-in-place-of-Sam/Nunez/Random-Youth-Player, one-footed, too-slow-for-a-winger Robert Snodgrass not only leads the assist table for Leeds United, but also the Championship as a whole with 8. More undeserved criticism, that’s what he needs! Leeds’ next highest assistant goalscorer is Ross McCormack with two. Dirty Leeds Portsmouth may have committed a couple more fouls than Leeds, and along with Brighton and Leicester City may also have more yellow cards. But no team in the Championship has had four players sent off yet. Ipswich Town are hot on our heels however with three – where’s Mad Max when you need him? Shot Shy Whites Rather surprisingly, Leeds sit near the bottom of the shots taken table with 88 on and 54 off, some way off the leaders Peterborough who have had 114 shots on target and 80 sail wide of the mark. Still, it could be worse, we could be Doncaster Rovers – and I don’t say that because they’re bottom of the shots taken table, I was just speaking generally. Time To Clean Up Our Act Perhaps a couple of days training with Middlesbrough would cure our defensive problem? They must be doing something right at the Riverside, as they’ve kept seven clean sheets so far, more than anyone else in the division. Only four sides have less than Leeds’ two. Goals On The Up As the following graph shows, the goals per game average has increased year-on-year under Simon Grayson. Crazy to think Leeds are averaging more goals per game this season than last, when we started without our top goalscorer and our back-up plan (Max Gradel) ran off to join some crap nineties Indie band. It’s crazier still when you consider our leading goalscorer couldn’t hit a barndoor in pre-season, and that our second highest goalscorer wasn’t even part of our plans (Adam Clayton). All statistics are based on league games only.