Newcastle United players through the looking glass…
Posted on June 16th, 2011 | 61 Comments |
Before this news broke, I was in the process of gathering some statistical analysis for the past season, focusing on our top 5 performers in the Premier League. What I found was quite interesting, even more so, taking into consideration, recent events.
The statistics I have gathered are from the ‘Actim Index’ found on the official Premier League website. The index, and point scoring, along with a brief explanation from myself, is calculated as follows:-
1) Winning performance
- Points awarded for time on the pitch in a successful team. More points awarded to individuals if they are on the pitch for a full 90 minutes.
2) Players performance per match
- Points awarded for positive actions such as shots, tackles, clearances, saves and passes. Points are deducted for negative actions such as shots off target, misplaced passes, fouls and yellow / red cards.
3) Appearances
- Points awarded per minute on the pitch, divided among players, according to minutes played in a successful team.
4) Goals scored
5) Assists
6) Clean sheets
- Points awarded to the whole team, more awarded to a GK for example, than a ST.
Right, that is as brief explanation as I can give, so, who were Newcastle’s top performers? The statistics I have collected are based on the index results. I have also compared our players to fellow countrymen, and determined their overall rankings in their respective positions…With that said, lets have a look at the results.
1) Kevin Nolan
The Newcastle skipper was rated as the 16th overall best player with a score of 488, making him the 5th highest rated Englishman behind Baines, Hart, Rooney and Terry. He was the 3rd best overall midfielder behind Malouda and Toure, meaning he was rated as the number one English midfielder, (argue with that one Savage). His 30 appearances bought 12 goals, 2 assists along with 37 fouls and 10 yellow cards.
2) Jonas Gutierrez
Possibly surprising to some, Jonas was rated at 33rd position overall, also making him the 2nd highest Argentinian behind ‘homesick’ Carlos Tevez, with an index score of 423. He was the 12th highest rated midfielder behind Malouda, Toure, Nolan, Nani, Adam, Nasri, Young, Downing, N’Zogbia, Van Der Vaart and Lampard. His 3 goals and 5 assists came from 37 appearances. He also committed 33 fouls resulting in 5 yellow cards. Oddly Gareth Bale is classed as a defender, if Bale was classed as a midfielder, Jonas would slip down one place in the midfield ranking.
3) Joey Barton
Deemed not worthy of a new contract, Joey Barton is listed in 43rd overall position with a score of 410. He is the 14th highest ranked English player and 6th best ranked English midfielder behind Nolan, Young, Downing, Lampard and 20 millions pounds worth of Jordan Henderson… Overall, he is number 18 in the midfielder category. He contributed 4 goals, 9 assists, 39 fouls and 7 yellows in 32 appearances. (If you include Bale, Barton would also slip one place in the overall midfield ranking).
4) Jose Enrique
63rd Overall position with a score of 383, he is the 3rd highest ranked Spaniard behind Reina and David Silva. Baines, Bale, Evra, Cole and Clichy are above him in the left back department…Though I would rather not count Bale in this category. He played 36 times with 4 assists, 15 fouls and 5 yellows.
5) Fabricio Coloccini
Coloccini was 64th with a score of 381. He is the 4th highest Argentinian with Tevez, Jonas and Maxi Rodriquez above him. He was the 14th highest ranked central defender with 35 appearances, 2 goals, 15 fouls and 3 yellows.
So, some interesting results?
If you take into consideration Cheick Tiote, who many would pick as their player of the season not making the top 5. Of course it is up for debate as to how accurate you perceive these rankings to be. I can only assume Tiote suffered due to the amount of fouls (75) and yellow cards (14) he received during the season.
Strangely, Footballer Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, Scott Parker, did not fair too well either, but again this may be because of how poorly West Ham performed last season, and how the points are accumulated.
Taking all things into consideration, it is undeniable how important Nolan, Jonas, Barton, Enrique and Coloccini were last season. The rankings however don’t tell the story of what goes on in the dressing room and how the need for a strong collective spirit can help overcome adversity. Interestingly, the main architect in the spirit department, also was our number one in the rankings, which of course brings us back to the start of this thread and a certain Kevin Nolan…
I would like to say a thank you and farewell to Kevin, at the time of writing, he has undergone his medical with West Ham and looks certain to leave. Although being here a short time, he has shown great attitude and been a top captain. I will not forget the effort and commitment he showed us every time he pulled on the black and white top and nobody will forget his hat-trick against Sunderland. One of my favourite memories of Kevin donning our colours however, was his backwards chicken dance after he scored the opener at the Stadium of Light. For some reason, that has always stuck in my head, I thought at the time, it was a perfect wind up.
All things considered, I wish him the best at his new club and I, for one, will always welcome him back to St James’ Park.
Sometimes in life you never truly appreciate something until it is gone, this applies to football as well. Hopefully, his departure, will not become another classic example, to all those concerned.
We shall see…
Nicely put. I wish Nolan well and I hope he helps get the Hammers promoted, if only so that we can welcome him back to SJP. Good lad, great captain.