coalman

That's not how xG is calculated. It's a human subjective measure of the quality of opportunity which differs between every stats outlet based upon the people calculating it and likely to be inconsistent over time. AI has nothing to do with it. Also, there's no such thing as a "crazy AI algorithm". AI is a set of methods for training a model towards a desirable set of outputs from a (hopefully) useful data set. You can get a crazy model but a model is not an algorithm. At its best case, xG is a potentially interesting measure subject to a high degree of human interpretation. As a signal for any kind of AI model it's little better than noise.

The thing that bothers me is that we've dropped to the Championship and he's not absolutely terrifying considering his attributes. Last season I couldn't believe we barely played him after signing him. This season I've yet to see him show up and be the difference. What I have seen is him flatter to deceive and make some really poor decisions. If we didn't have Brooks, Edozie and Fraser playing well I'd say give him a run. But right now, Adam Armstrong is preferred in one of our wide roles, Brooks is our most creative player and Edozie is fulfilling his potential. If Fraser wasn't injured I wouldn't even have him on the bench. And that's before even talking about Sam Ame-Ameyaw who is a serious prospect.

He's solidly 4th out of our wingers in terms of end product. Ryan Fraser 1238 mins 6 goals 2 assists Sam Edozie 1204 mins 6 goals 3 assists Kalmadeen Sulemana 824 mins 0 goals 3 assists David Brooks 385 mins 2 goals 3 assists Brooks is out front though has played less so his numbers might be skewed however is creating more for others (2 key passes per game which puts him out in front). Almost nothing between Edozie and Fraser. Then back in the distance is Sulemana. Due to his pace and close control he may become the next Mane but right now we have more effective options.

Strangely I'm ok with that

The lad can shoot. And gets his second. Bring me my humble pie

But but but Manning 😭

Rothwell is not the answer here unless the question is - how can we make our midfield less effective.

Well, piss

Time for Mara and Edozie for Armstrong and Adams

There's Sulemana's end product

Bednarek is really throwing himself into tackles here

Get in

Last man and in on goal. Why not red?

I'm sure he could use the shift key if he wanted to.

I see Martin is saying "bet you can't attack down your right wing" again to the opposition. At least we get Manning's assists and creativity up front.

I'm sure they'd let us play the game at Fratton Park if our stadium is toxic.

I think there's a player there with Charles too. We were spoiled with how good Lavia was so quickly. This time last year Edozie was written off but he's really blossomed. Charles is still a kid who'll get better. And I think a midfield of Charles and Downes in would give Smallbone a real platform and also leave us a lot less open.

There are some real positives in there as a player. He takes up great positions to receive the ball and is tidy in possession. Rarely misplaces a pass. Makes space for other players in the attacking third. Can receive the ball and move it quickly which is a prerequisite for Martin's system. In contrast Rothwell feels like a liability when he's receiving the ball in his own half. There are times where it feels like he's not as committed to the out of possession work as, say, Downes. So when we don't have a natural defensive midfielder it can feel like he's not involved. That's something he can add to his game though. There were times on Saturday where some of his tracking back felt a bit half hearted. But then there were also a couple of really committed challenges in there too. I'm hoping this is something that comes with more consistent game time because he'll be some player if he can really take the game by the scruff of the neck. Whatever your feelings on a player, no one deserves that degree of abuse. The Internet really does bring out the worst in humans.

Well, fuck-a-doodle-doo. That wasn't a dull game. Lets keep the attacking play and sort out our defence.

Aribo!

We're playing out the draw now.

Let's hope Martin told Sulemana that Liverpool are playing in their blue kit today.

Thought that was in. COYR

5 minutes ago it was looking like a comeback win which could get our season moving again. Now, it's looking like the opposite.

Oh dear. 3-3