I am /was pretty pleased with those. Lorient/Valenciennes/Rodez/Niort were all highlighted as having poor numbers in relation to their then league position and only the leader has done well subsequently and Lorient are, anyway, +17 in their last three start, so maybe we can put the earlier numbers down to a blip in their case. Regardless of which, 4/5 is good and gives confidence to the stats. I also said that there were some big question marks about the Chambly numbers and we always have to look at any stats as a starting point, not the be all and end all of our analysis. Sochaux are an example of how we can look for improving teams within these numbers and on Friday I wrote ............. Those inside the box numbers for Sochaux were bad two weeks ago, but we have to watch out for improving teams and they have created 20 such chances in their last two starts, giving up aroud half of that number and scoring five goals, also hitting the woodwork and overall play, not just results, looks to be improving. They beat Clermont 4-0. I think the real value of ITB might be once the numbers start to turn like that, they may not always be reflected immediately in results, so we will have an edge "knowing" when teams are starting to turn things around OR falling into bad habits, which is just as valuable.

 

Anyway, the league table below is current and updated after 10 rounds.............

 

 

What should be catching our eye ? Well Le Havre are still more midtable in tems of ITB than top 5, but Ajaccio are the big standout at the top of the table on -13 which is 4th worse in L2 and I will definitely be looking at them in the coming weeks as I have some other points to mention about the islanders.

 

Troyes on +29 are still top of the pile and they have been + in their three starts since the original table, despite losing two.

 

Guingamp (+19 last two starts) and Nancy (+24 last three) should have bullets next to their names.

 

What is the opposite of a bullet, a lead weight ? Whatever it is, that should be alongside the names of Niort (-24 last 3), Rodez (-20 last 3) and Chambly ( -24 last 3).

 

I like expected goals/points numbers, but IMO, it is easier to see the direction teams are heading with ITB if only because there are more numerically and the swings quicker to pick up on. But I also think they highlight the flow of the games and the superiority, or failings of teams, better.

 

At present I am trying to find a third party home for ITB and some other stats I produce, where you will be better able to access them and for free...............stay tuned !