First Goal Advantage

[NewEnglandFox]

Listening to Appleton today, he brought up that we've only scored the first goal once this season which was in the only game we've on excluding the 2 cup games (which we also scored first and won). So far we've conceded the first goal in 6 of 8 games played and have 2 points to show from it. Scoring the first goal gives us both a confidence boost and also allows us to tactically dictate the game. From an expected points outlook the difference is massive. When we concede first, we have to respond by committing more men forward which also opens us up at the back. Not only does this makes it harder for us to get a result, it also fools our fans into thinking we've played well when we haven't as the fans we the attacking intent at the end of the game. Jaime Carragher said that after the epic 2-1 Chelsea game that got Mourinho sacked. Damage is done when we give up the goal, our tactics and players have consistently put us in a losing position. Our play before the first goal contributes much more to our current position than how we play after it. Performances to find draws late in games have only kept us in the drop zone.

 

This graph is from 2007-Winter 2012

 

[cruyff99]

Great post, thanks! What a difference in points

[Arriba Los Zorros]

Makes sense but also depressing that the game is so tactical these days that scoring first and then defending with the odd break for most of the rest of the game is the likeliest way to pick up points.

 

 

[Benguin]

good effort but this thread kind of reminds me of Michael Owen saying: "when they don't score, they hardly ever win."

[NotTheMarketLeader]

Yes it’s as if Shakespeare had been told about the advantage of the scoring first.....but got it mixed up with conceding first.

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[Lovejoy]

I get the feeling Appleton is damned whatever he says or does with some of our fans. He's pointed out an obvious problem which you'd hope means steps are being taken to address it. Hopefully we see the team be a bit more positive tomorrow afternoon.

[norwichfox]

Goodness.... here comes the Appleton lovefest....his odds will tumble this morning....