Blog Posts

  • Things to watch differently in the Premier League this season #2 – Goalkeepers

    About 20 years ago, two very important things happened that changed the footballing landscape forever. The back-pass rule was introduced and Peter Schmeichel joined Man Utd. The rule-change introduced us to the panicky hoof into the stand and ‘keeper Cruyff-turns, while the Dane’s long throws were a huge novelty. Barely seen before, these events are…

  • Things to watch differently in the Premier League this season #1 – Corners

    Manchester United took more corners than any other team bar Liverpool in the EPL last season. They also scored 20% of their goals from headers. On top of this only Blackburn and Manchester City scored more goals from set-pieces than United. For these reasons Differentgame thought they’d be the team with the best corner statistics…

  • What’s a Goalkeeper Worth to His Team?

    While hunting the internet for football myths to dispel, Differentgame remembered a question from @thegingerpiglet in relation to whether a goalkeeper is ‘worth’ more than a forward to his team. It’s an interesting question. You’ll often find managers and fans lamenting the loss of their main forward, citing it as a reason for being unable…

  • Is it wrong to nail Theo Walcott to the cross for his final ball?

    A quick glance at whoscored would re-affirm most fans view of who can cross a ball in the EPL. Here are some of the names in the top 20 who put over the most accurate no of balls per game: Leighton Baines, Nani, Antonio Valencia, Juan Mata, Samir Nasri, Ashley Young. It would be no…

  • The Wenger Inheritance Dispute

    Now Arsenal no longer win trophies outside of pre-season, it’s become popular to point to their back four woes under the Frenchman’s stewardship as the reason for their downfall. Here’s Frank McLintock: “Ever since he lost the great back five Wenger inherited from George Graham, they’ve never really addressed that position. Their centre-half position has…