A couple of stats...

[SeagullSongs]

Last season, we scored 51 league goals, and our strikers scored 24 of those (47%):

Barnes 11
Mackail-Smith 9
Vokes 3
Hoskins 1

So far in pre-season, all 8 of our goals have been scored by strikers:

Barnes 4
Hoskins 2
Mackail-Smith 1
Agdestein 1

Does this show a (much needed) difference in style to create more chances for our attackers?
Is it a feature of playing weaker opposition?
Or simply a coincidence?

 

[dingodan]

It's a product of comparing statistics from two pre-season games, with an entire season of competitive matches.

 

[SeagullSongs]

It's a product of comparing statistics from two pre-season games, with an entire season of competitive matches.

That too.
I wouldn't have bothered if we'd only won each game 1-0 or something, but 8 goals is approaching a number that can be worked with.

 

[mrbigshot]

It's a good start. Cannot wait to see Barnes and Hoskins banging them in this season, Hoskins will be like a new signing

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

Barnes to get 20+ goals this season.

 

[OvingdeanSeagull]

I'm gonna put a fiver on Barnes to get 20+ goals and be league top scorer, think he'll be even better than last this season

 

[coagulantwolf]

Will Hoskins‏@Hosky_7: Hard to describe how good I feel compared to last year. Feeling stronger and fitter everyday. The op has sorted me right out. Feel like new.

Genuinely hoping Gus doesn't sign a new striker and gives Hoskins a run.

 

[Acker79]

Last season's pre-season:

Burgess hill (Barnes, Noone (pen) Hoskins) 3-0
horsham (noone, noone, Barker) 3-1
whitehawk (noone, Bergkamp, Dunk) 3-0
Spurs XI (Hoskins, Agdestein) 2-2
PSG 0-1
Olhanense (Sparrow) 1-2
Spurs (Barnes, Lualua) 2-3

Noone 4
Barnes 2
Hoskins 2
Agdestein 1
Barker 1
Bergkamp 1
Dunk 1
Lualua 1
Sparrow 1

14 in total

 

[StonehamPark]

I said this last season and I'm sticking by it.
I think our strikers are top notch, it's all about the delivery and the quality of that delivery which makes the difference.
With Vicente fit, defence bulked & a new powerful midfielder on his way, I think this is the key to unlocking our strikers.
Remember the stats regarding BHA having the lowest attempts on goal last season (maybe behind Doncaster), this isn't the strikers fault, the ball isn't in the box for them to kick it in the first place.

 

[clippedgull]

Will Hoskins‏@Hosky_7: Hard to describe how good I feel compared to last year. Feeling stronger and fitter everyday. The op has sorted me right out. Feel like new.

Genuinely hoping Gus doesn't sign a new striker and gives Hoskins a run.

Hmm, I'm hoping Gus does sign a new striker. Too risky to rely on pre-season form against lower class opposition. Having said that, it will be good if Hoskins gets up to speed. Will give Gus a few headaches in selection for when the proper action starts.

 

[JCL666]

I said this last season and I'm sticking by it.
I think our strikers are top notch, it's all about the delivery and the quality of that delivery which makes the difference.
With Vicente fit, defence bulked & a new powerful midfielder on his way, I think this is the key to unlocking our strikers.
Remember the stats regarding BHA having the lowest attempts on goal last season (maybe behind Doncaster), this isn't the strikers fault, the ball isn't in the box for them to kick it in the first place.

Hooray for logic!! Thanks you have reminded my that there are people on NSC who are not mental.

 

[Rich Suvner]

That too.
I wouldn't have bothered if we'd only won each game 1-0 or something, but 8 goals is approaching a number that can be worked with.

jesus!

your sample is two matches against non-league opposition - you cannot compare this against a full season of competitive games against championship opponents

 

[SeagullSongs]

jesus!

your sample is two matches against non-league opposition - you cannot compare this against a full season of competitive games against championship opponents

Which is why I offered that as an explanation in my original post?

Nonetheless, I still think it looks very promising for Barnes and Hoskins.

 

[The Optimist]

Taking 47% as the chance that any given goal is scored by a striker the odds of eight goals in a row being scored by strikers is 0.47^8=0.00238=0.238%. So yes there is evidence that something has changed, but that could be due to the nature of the opposition or a change in tactics or some other factor.

 

[keaton]

I'd say Barnes was a midfielder for most of last season and last night.

 

[huge]

Taking 47% as the chance that any given goal is scored by a striker the odds of eight goals in a row being scored by strikers is 0.47^8=0.00238=0.238%. So yes there is evidence that something has changed, but that could be due to the nature of the opposition or a change in tactics or some other factor.

Your sample is way too small to say that. You may as will pick a number out at random and say that. Two games means nothing

 

[SeagullSongs]

We still have 11 pre-season games left! Jesus Christ... (Although 3 of those are an 'Albion XI' so probably not the first team players)
That might start to give us a decent sample size.

Brighton and Hove Albion | Match | Fixtures | 2012

 

[Vegas Seagull]

I said this last season and I'm sticking by it.
I think our strikers are top notch, it's all about the delivery and the quality of that delivery which makes the difference.
With Vicente fit, defence bulked & a new powerful midfielder on his way, I think this is the key to unlocking our strikers.
Remember the stats regarding BHA having the lowest attempts on goal last season (maybe behind Doncaster), this isn't the strikers fault, the ball isn't in the box for them to kick it in the first place.

If the striker stands in the wrong place, is scared of using his left peg & when he does he can't score & shuts his eyes when he get to 20% of the headers a Holt/Lambert type would win then it is the strikers fault the stats are so poor.

 

[The Optimist]

Your sample is way too small to say that. You may as will pick a number out at random and say that. Two games means nothing

I disagree. A sample of eight for something that is roughly 50-50 is plenty. For example try tossing a coin over and over and see if you get anywhere near 8 heads in row. What it doesn't explain is the reason. Has there been a tactical change, does the quality of the opposition have an effect, are the strikers feeling particularly confident, are the rest of the team feeling unconfident in front of goal, etc. Without knowing the reason for the change there is no way of knowing if it will last.

 

[WhingForPresident]

With Hoskins and Toby as well as Barnes and CMS, I really don't think we need to go looking for another striker. It's obviously the service that we have been lacking, not the finishing ability.
When we get a couple of quality CM's in, we'll be in great shape for next season.