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Playing the classic version on 2013. Get miffed with it regularly though. Any tips of players to sign for cheap at the start of the game and good tactics, team instructions for the Albion?

Difficult to ever properly trust the stats websites etc serve up. I know someone who works for Opta and they had something like four people statting every match, with repeat viewings and fresh eyes doing the same the next day. Or something like that. Still bound to be mistakes though. I...

Interestingly I spoke to someone who played AGAINST the Albion this season. Their manager told them before the match to shut down the full backs when our 'keeper had the ball at his feet and encourage us to play the ball to El Abd. The instruction was to then drop back and allow him to have the...

I like to look at how high a ratio of shots a player has got on target and forced a save to judge how accurate a striker is. According to the Football League Stats Centre this season (league only): Barnes: 28 on target. 28 off target. Therefore 50% of his shots hit the target. Overall scoring...

I would love to see assists being given in football in the same way they are in the NHL - extending it out to the previous two passes etc.

True, but presumably you could unearth similar incidents for other players well. I take your point though completely. The basis stats included were only really aimed at sparking some debate. I think Barnes is fine as a striker. I also think he suffers from being played out of position and...

You said he was exactly the sort of player we needed in those key games. An alternative argument would be that perhaps we would not have needed him if Ulloa hadn't had to play almost every minute of a long run of games leading up to it. His will to win also seems to come coupled with a petulant...

Some might counter that with the fact we could probably have done with him during the ten games just prior to that which he missed for kicking a ref...

I think his versatility should make him a decent/important squad player. I think the club under Poyet was perhaps guilty of spending too much wage budget on back-up players. Squad members like Barnes etc should be useful in filling in for a variety of positions for the odd run of games if needed.

Watching the cricket so decided to dig up some Albion stats at the same time. A request on Twitter asked for the Albion's record with and without Ashley Barnes. Got me thinking, this will be a big season for Barnes without Poyet at the helm. Will Oscar be so keen on him? Will a change of...

Upson improved the stats of both El Abd and Greer when paired with him. Very good signing.

Agreed, great read. Then of course there is Sussex's own Michael Yardy who has gone through a high profile battle with depression.

The stats don't support those concerns though. However, I do tend to think pace at full back is probably quite important if it is lacking in the centre. With Bridcutt shielding the centre backs so well, they rarely have players running directly at them at pace.

Indeed. Upson was the key ingredient. Both were better when paired alongside him. Would actually like to see what having an experienced top rate player like Upson alongside him could do for Dunk's game.

Four in nine games paired together.

Would be surprised if that was the case rather than it being an oversight or mistake/problem with system etc. I would have thought games like Newport would be a perfect use of the scheme as it would automatically sell tickets to an unattractive game which many fans might not bother with unless...

As I said elsewhere, would be a significant signing. In the 12 games he partnered Greer last season, including play offs, we kept 7 clean sheets. In 22 games started by El Abd and Greer we kept six. With Greer and Upson the Albion let in around half a goal a game average.

Any ideas as to why it isn't up and running for the Newport County game which could, in theory, be one of only TWO occasions we would need the Auto Cup Scheme this season?

Shame the Albion don't seem to be able to spell Deniss Rakels correctly...

Will try and see this on catch up if it is available. A Life too Short:The Tragdey of Robert Enke is a book I would strongly recommend to anyone who has not read it.