Premiership Stat

[Tommy G]

From The Times

The ravages of time appeared to be catching up with Paul Scholes last season. The mistimed tackles have always been a fixture of the Manchester United midfield player’s game, even in his pomp, but troublingly, a little carelessness had crept into his passing and too often he was bypassed by opponents as he struggled to gain a foothold in games.

That was last season and the indifferent spell prompted some to wonder if the time was right for Scholes to bow out with his head still held high, before the demands of the Barclays Premier League — a competition with a growing emphasis on pace and power — became too much altogether. This season, it is an entirely different story.

At 34, Scholes may never quite rediscover the majestic scoring touch that had every leading figure in European football, from Zinédine Zidane to Marcello Lippi, salivating, but the hallmark of his game down the years — brisk, incisive passing of unerring accuracy — has been beautifully, if unexpectedly, restored.

Scholes is the most accurate passer in the top flight this season. A remarkable 92.6 per cent of his 309 attempted passes have been successful, a statistic that helps to explain why he has overtaken Michael Carrick and Anderson as being Sir Alex Ferguson’s first choice in the centre of midfield alongside Darren Fletcher.

There is no obvious explanation for the improvement, but it is clear that the attempts by United’s coaching to wrap Scholes in cotton wool have had their part to play. Whether it was a deliberate ploy on Ferguson’s behalf to coax a little extra from him is hard to say, but the offer of special treatment carries a whiff of a Help the Aged campaign in the player’s eyes and, as such, has been greeted as some sort of personal affront.

“You still want to impress, but the coaches are always asking how you feel and whether you want to take a day off here or there,” Scholes said yesterday.

Scholes was at his imperious best during United’s 2-0 win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. Tony Pulis, the Stoke manager, described him as “the best player on the pitch by a country mile” and the statistics supported the assertion. Of the 85 passes Scholes made, 80 were successful.

It has been a similar tale in the midfield player’s other outings this term. Against Birmingham City in United’s opening game, 93.2 per cent of his passes were accurate. Ninety per cent of his passes reached their intended targets against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium and 91.1 per cent of them against Tottenham Hotspur before his controversial sending-off for two bookable offences at White Hart Lane.

The figures demonstrate why Ferguson has tended to use Scholes on United’s travels, when the importance of retaining possession arguably becomes even greater. The one away league match Scholes has missed this season — against Burnley at Turf Moor last month — United lost.

He may play a little deeper now and no longer ghost into the box with the frequency he did in his youth, but Scholes’s ability to hit all manner of passes is evidenced by him being the most accurate short passer in the league this season — 96.09 per cent of his 256 attempted short passes have been successful — and second only to Tom Huddlestone, the Tottenham Hotspur midfield player, in terms of successful long passes.

Carrick’s overall pass completion rate (82.8 per cent) and Anderson’s (72.7) are far inferior while not even England’s first-choice midfield players — Frank Lampard (72.3), Steven Gerrard (70.6) and Gareth Barry (68.1) — get close to Scholes’s record

That is some stat. Always been a big fan of his, and to complete 96% of all short passes is unbelievable. Shows he has still got it, as has Giggs to any doubters out there.

Giggs has also been immence in the last few games for Utd. Both legends and will be missed when retirement comes knocking.

[morris1234]

From The Times

That is some stat. Always been a big fan of his, and to complete 96% of all short passes is unbelievable. Shows he has still got it, as has Giggs to any doubters out there.

Giggs has also been immence in the last few games for Utd. Both legends and will be missed when retirement comes knocking.

that is simply unbelieveable! the complete midfielder (if he could tackle )

[Fez of Mahrez]

Lampard, Gerrard and Barry in can't-pass shocker.

[Joe.]

Still don't think Scholes is anywhere near the player he used to be personally. I know you'll say the stats don't lie but still...

[StanSP]

I hate both Scholes and Giggs. But as you say, they will be missed immensely overall.

[davieG]

I hate both Scholes and Giggs. But as you say, they will be missed immensely overall.

What's to hate about Scholes

[Tommy G]

I hate both Scholes and Giggs. But as you say, they will be missed immensely overall.

Hate? That's weird.

[Joe.]

What's to hate about Giggs or Scholes?! Scholes has kept himself to himself out of the public eye for a long time now, and Giggs has been a model pro since he began his career.

[StanSP]

Just do

[leicesterfox86]

Still don't think Scholes is anywhere near the player he used to be personally. I know you'll say the stats don't lie but still...

He is still a very important player for Manchester United when he plays though. He will be missed when he retires, no doubt about that. Shame he din't play for England more though! I wonder if Lampard / Gerrard might consider an early international retirement as well you know.

Read this article on Scholes yesterday actually if anyone is interested.

[Scow]

The Guardian revealed something unsurprising before the Bolton v Stoke game: the latter has the worst pass completion rate, followed by the former (around 60%).

[lou]

What's to hate about Giggs or Scholes?! Scholes has kept himself to himself out of the public eye for a long time now, and Giggs has been a model pro since he began his career.

Totally agree! Cant see how anyone could hate either of them

[sdb]

really don't rate Scholes anymore. Impressive pass completion sure, and i'm suprised too, but anyone playing CM for Man Utd should be going 90% +. How many assists/chance making passes has he made? Cause I can't recall any this season (or many last year for that matter). Doesn't score anymore either.

And i'm sure Pulis is bigging him up so he joins them next year (nearly happened in the summer i hear).

Giggs has been amazing this season (overrated last season), but Scholes hasn't won me over.

[lildave3]

Scholes is practically useless now for Manchester United.

[Uncle Albert]

Scholes is a bellend, people slate Carragher about quitting the National team and this mug doesnt get a mention, scared that Lampard and Gerrard would move him out of the centre of the midfield? I wont take away that he is a good passer of the ball but apart from that he isnt special.

Giggs another overated 'superstar' last night he wasted the ball far too much but because his free-kick took a big deflection and went in he will get the bumming from everyone again.

[Tommy G]

Scholes is a bellend, people slate Carragher about quitting the National team and this mug doesnt get a mention, scared that Lampard and Gerrard would move him out of the centre of the midfield? I wont take away that he is a good passer of the ball but apart from that he isnt special.

Giggs another overated 'superstar' last night he wasted the ball far too much but because his free-kick took a big deflection and went in he will get the bumming from everyone again.

Massive bias from a fake Liverpool fan.

Are you upset because he has pissed al over Gerrard in those stats. You can't argue with the facts that are stats - even if your cock is 2 inches into gerrard anoooos.

[Unit]

Scholes is a bellend, people slate Carragher about quitting the National team and this mug doesnt get a mention, scared that Lampard and Gerrard would move him out of the centre of the midfield? I wont take away that he is a good passer of the ball but apart from that he isnt special.

Giggs another overated 'superstar' last night he wasted the ball far too much but because his free-kick took a big deflection and went in he will get the bumming from everyone again.

Mr gerrard, you're so wrong.

[StanSP]

Mr gerrard, you're so wrong.

Not really.

[Darkzzz_]

He is.

Gerrard is a class player, but anyone who actually watches him that closely would tell you his pass rate isn't that great, he gives the ball away a lot. I don't even want to get onto Carragher, so overrated (well mainly by Liverpool fans) it is untrue. Jovetic tore his scouse arse apart on Tuesday.

Giggs overrated? .... Ok, it was a joke to hand that award out to him last season but the bloke has been a credit to the game, he has played at the top level for all these years, fair enough he isn't as good as he once was but his football brain will never fade even when his legs do.

Scholes, always been a fan of his, was a great player but going along the same line as LD3, I can't see him offering much more for United. While his passing is fantastic, he isn't as sharp as he once was and I can see him retiring very soon maybe with a few more red cards to his statistics too.

[maddog]

Giggs is absolute quality.

Nearly 36 and still one of the best midfielders in the PL.

The bumming of Gerrard and Lampard swiftly ends when you see Giggs on form like he is now, pure class.

[Bert]

Scholes is a bellend, people slate Carragher about quitting the National team and this mug doesnt get a mention, scared that Lampard and Gerrard would move him out of the centre of the midfield? I wont take away that he is a good passer of the ball but apart from that he isnt special.

Giggs another overated 'superstar' last night he wasted the ball far too much but because his free-kick took a big deflection and went in he will get the bumming from everyone again.

Come on, bit of bias there.

Scholes isn't as special as he was was when United had the best midfield in the world, (Beckham-Scholes-Keane-Giggs) which is mainly down to age, and having past his peak. He won't offer as much as he used to (as covered) but one thing for sure, Scholes should and will be held in high regard when he's finished. I think with the International retirements, there's much more to it than we actually know.

Gerrard and Lampard are going to be better right now because they are peaking. If Gerrard, Scholes and Lampard had peaked at the same time, it may have been a different story.

Gerrard and Lampard played more games than Scholes did last season, which means it's going to be easier for Scholes to have a better completion ratio.

[Joe.]

You can't compare the pass ratio of Scholes and Gerrard, when the latter is clearly a far more adventurous player.

[lildave3]

Stats show whatever you want them to show.

[Bert]

You can't compare the pass ratio of Scholes and Gerrard, when the latter is clearly a far more adventurous player.

Yep, Scholes plays it nice and simple. I bet Gerrard doesn't care about his PCR anyway.

Plus Gerrard played probably double the amount of games Scholes did.

[Tommy G]

Come on, bit of bias there.

Scholes isn't as special as he was was when United had the best midfield in the world, (Beckham-Scholes-Keane-Giggs) which is mainly down to age, and having past his peak. He won't offer as much as he used to (as covered) but one thing for sure, Scholes should and will be held in high regard when he's finished. I think with the International retirements, there's much more to it than we actually know.

Gerrard and Lampard are going to be better right now because they are peaking. If Gerrard, Scholes and Lampard had peaked at the same time, it may have been a different story.

Gerrard and Lampard played more games than Scholes did last season, which means it's going to be easier for Scholes to have a better completion ratio.

It's this season!

You can't compare the pass ratio of Scholes and Gerrard, when the latter is clearly a far more adventurous player.

I think you'll find scholes sit deep and plays short aswell as long adventurous balls aswell. He's one of the most accurate passers in the prem if not europe, just because you get older doesn't mean you loose the ability to pass, you loose the more physical attributes of your game i.e speed and strength surely?

Yep, Scholes plays it nice and simple. I bet Gerrard doesn't care about his PCR anyway.

Plus Gerrard played probably double the amount of games Scholes did.

Well it's this seasons stats I'm afraid..