24 Mar 2026 20:45:18
Interesting article on BBC web site on whether it makes a difference if a team runs more than their opponent during a game. they have looked at EPL figures and in only 48% of games does the team who runs the most win. in 25% of games the team who ran less win.
figures a bit of a mix when you see Leeds second in running stats but 15th in table. interesting if unconvincing article. just thought as we as fans always want that effort from a player/team coaches can see it differently.
24 Mar 2026 21:07:13
Angus, I would take intelligence over pure running every single day.
24 Mar 2026 21:14:37
I like your reply, Aph. Do you mean like Skov Olsen?
24 Mar 2026 21:17:12
Just clicked on that article, Angus!
24 Mar 2026 21:59:30
Saw that too, was mentioned on MOTD that Chelsea have been outrun in every game this season. Personally, I'd prefer a bit of both intelligence & running/fight/desire, whatever you want to class it as. We all might agree we need a lot more bite in the team.
24 Mar 2026 22:04:44
Again, though, you are using just the stats that point to what you want to show, Leeds 2nd but 15th in the EPL.
Yet City and Arsenal are 1st and 3rd and are the top 2 in the EPL, so yes, effort does also count towards making a team successful as you add that effort with a touch of quality and there you have it, a recipe for success.
Yet one of our best performers so far has been Rommens, who at the weekend was carrying a knock but still bombed up and down that pitch and did great work for us to open the scoring. But let's not hold all our players to that standard, I guess.
24 Mar 2026 22:25:36
Bbj, that wasn't the point; it was really just a different take on the fact that running isn't everything. Used Leeds as they were the biggest outliers and not to prove any point.
If you read the article, Pep says he would rather have more control of a game than just running; and you say I just pick and choose facts.
?
But, tbh, I was trying to start another threat other than strikers but I won't bother in future.
Oh, (joking), doesn't that make Rommens a headless chicken if he is just bombing up and down the pitch?
So read the article; it is quite interesting and doesn't prove anything really about whether running more makes a difference.
24 Mar 2026 22:49:27
So, if 48% win, 25% lose, then 27% obviously draw, then it's clearly far better with higher running stats. Still, not a great fan of stats, because depends on the team. If u can have a team chasing after u while your in control, then their running stats will be high, however, if your doing a lot of attacking, then your stats will be high too, so doesn't really show what's happening in the game.
24 Mar 2026 23:13:51
Well, the last part of your post made it seem like we can't demand more effort as coaches understand differently to us, but maybe I just read you wrong. It's not a dig, but the stats still show that teams that run/work harder gain more points.
Of course, Pep can say what he likes as his team dominate that stat.
Not when it's controlled bombing, Angus, lol, as he shows composure. Maybe I should say busts a gut up and down the wing instead.
24 Mar 2026 23:45:28
Like in life there needs to be balance.
As a team you need to put the yards in to compete - no doubt.
On an individual basis, players that don't put the yards in have to offer something else that others in the team don't.
Perfect example with our club at the moment is Aasgaard.
If he was contributing more with the ball, people would be less inclined to comment about how little he offers without the ball, and would ultimately look beyond that. However atm he isn't offering much in either department.
25 Mar 2026 08:01:08
Bbj, it was just an attempt to start another thread on another topic as I felt strikers had run its course.
Possibly I highlighted it as we always seem to want our players to do that bombing up and down, but without the control, is it the right thing to do.
I agree with Kaiser that a chasing game should mean the chasing team are doing more running, so is that the reason for Leeds? The SPL don't give running stats, so we can't tell how we do.
But I looked at our Europa League matches and Raskin, who had 8 matches and covered just over 62km; choosing him as he is the highest stat. We were given a chasing most matches, so I would have expected him to have covered at least 10km per match given that. So is it that if you are constantly chasing you tire, and then stop chasing as it is pointless or you are just plum knackered.
25 Mar 2026 08:36:54
Not sure about bombing up and down. Intelligence, reading a game, therefore timing your run, makes it less of an issue, but tracking back and defending makes it a must.
TBH just another statistic. Even the BBC have gone stats crazy. ??
25 Mar 2026 09:02:24
Lies - damn lies and Statistics ????? Twain.
25 Mar 2026 09:55:56
Running stats doesn't mean you have the ball, without it you won't win. A team out of possession generally runs about more.
Intelligence in passing accurately and using space properly, along with fast counter attacks and pushing/closing down when out of possession.
25 Mar 2026 10:04:11
BF, true, but in fairness I think the saying is more aimed at the user incorrectly representing the data rather than the data itself.
Agree with Windy though it doesn't tell the whole story.
25 Mar 2026 10:43:04
Angus, that's not you only posting certain stats now, is it? As you said you didn't do that. ?
Yes, I am joking. ?
25 Mar 2026 11:02:54
We do support our players very well, booing them coming on as subs, a tremendous support.
25 Mar 2026 11:41:22
Play smarter not harder, I say. Running stat could mean you're chasing the ball all the time as you can't get it.
25 Mar 2026 12:36:47
I would love 2 see Pep manage a team from the lower end of the spectrum
25 Mar 2026 12:47:55
Storm, I only use stats to support my argument but it can be on either side of that argument depending on which I believe. I do look at the other side, but often don't post them as that would take away the purpose of debate; if I was arguing with myself. Might be more fun, granted, than us falling out all the time. ?
25 Mar 2026 15:45:16
We don't fall out all the time, we just don't agree a lot.