Matt Mills Stats

[Matt_B]

Not sure that it proves anything but here goes (I haven't included the two sending off games because, whilst they were stupid decisions that may or may not have cost the game, he wasn't on the pitch to concede any of the goals):

Finished 17 league games conceding 13 goals (an average of 0.76 per game)
Without him, played 6 league games and conceded 11 goals (an average of 1.83 goals per game)

Even taking into account the games where he got sent off, he still has a ratio of 0.9 goals per game, still less than half that without him.

I would like to see more games without him (so would a few I imagine) to give it more meaning, but we certainly seem to concede less with him in the team, mistakes or no.

 

[bocadillo]

I haven't included the two sending off games because, whilst they were stupid decisions that may or may not have cost the game, he wasn't on the pitch to concede any of the goals

Isn't it a major point that he wasn't on the pitch to stop the goals being scored either?

 

[The Major]

Mills is not a bad player at all, a little reckless at times, but whole hearted and committed.

 

[Matt_B]

Isn't it a major point that he wasn't on the pitch to stop the goals being scored either?

Which is why I also included the stats with those games. Kasper arguably made as bad a judgement against Forest away but it doesn't get brought up as much as Mills' 2 mistakes.

 

[Scotfox]

OK work out the total time played for each player, the time of the goals, who was on the pitch when the the goals were scored, then multiply by eleven, ie the number of players and divide by the nbumber of glasses of wine I have consumed whilst working this out, its simple, I'm pissed.

 

[Joe_Fox]

Spreadsheet please!

 

[Profondo Rosso]

Statistics are often simplistic and don't tell the whole story though. You could also just as easily point out just how much statistically improved Reading's defence is this season without him compared to the last two as well since Kaspars Gorkss replaced him. Neither stat means much though.

I don't think anyone thinks Mills has been an outright bad player, just that he'll do for now, but he has been inconsistent and has cost us points this season and he does need to improve or at least become much more consistent, though we can also do much, much worse (as SSL proves).

 

[Blue Maniac]

Statistics are often simplistic and don't tell the whole story though. You could also just as easily point out just how much statistically improved Reading's defence is this season without him compared to the last two as well since Kaspars Gorkss replaced him. Neither stat means much though.

I don't think anyone thinks Mills has been an outright bad player, just that he'll do for now, but he has been inconsistent and has cost us points this season and he does need to improve or at least become much more consistent, though we can also do much, much worse (as SSL proves).

We've certainly had far worse players in our back four in recent years.

 

[SJN-Fox]

We've certainly had far worse players in our back four in recent years.

Indeed we have. however, did we pay big money for them? I think that the problem most people have (and this is not Mills' fault, more the fault of those that were prepared to pay it) is that for a player that cost us so much, far better was expected. He is a decent player but he isn't 4 or 5 million pounds worth of player.

 

[Blue Maniac]

Indeed we have. however, did we pay big money for them? I think that the problem most people have (and this is not Mills' fault, more the fault of those that were prepared to pay it) is that for a player that cost us so much, far better was expected. He is a decent player but he isn't 4 or 5 million pounds worth of player.

You should see the post that inspired this thread, it was a lot harsher than that :icon_lol:

 

[Han]

Not sure that it proves anything but here goes (I haven't included the two sending off games because, whilst they were stupid decisions that may or may not have cost the game, he wasn't on the pitch to concede any of the goals):

Finished 17 league games conceding 13 goals (an average of 0.76 per game)
Without him, played 6 league games and conceded 11 goals (an average of 1.83 goals per game)

Even taking into account the games where he got sent off, he still has a ratio of 0.9 goals per game, still less than half that without him.

I would like to see more games without him (so would a few I imagine) to give it more meaning, but we certainly seem to concede less with him in the team, mistakes or no.

How did we do, results wise, on thos 6 games without him?

 

[SJN-Fox]

You should see the post that inspired this thread, it was a lot harsher than that :icon_lol:

Yes, well, I've mellowed with age.

 

[Hazzman]

How did we do, results wise, on thos 6 games without him?

Shit. I checked earlier to see if those six games were against higher sides, they weren't with West Ham an exception.

It's way too small number of games to make a judgement.....for example, Bamba plays all season we conceded tons...misses one game against Forest, clean sheet.

It allows points out St Ledger is shite.

 

[DillyDing22]

Pass statistics?

Also it has been clear this season for me that Bamba does most covering. Not once have I seen mills do a last ditch tackle or beat a man for strength. The red cards are also inexcusable for a player who is supposed to be the captain. The stats you posted are valid but don't tell the whole truth about mills

 

[Matt_B]

Pass statistics?

Also it has been clear this season for me that Bamba does most covering. Not once have I seen mills do a last ditch tackle or beat a man for strength. The red cards are also inexcusable for a player who is supposed to be the captain. The stats you posted are valid but don't tell the whole truth about mills

People used to talk about all the last ditch tackles that Kisnorbo made. Unfortunately, he had to make them because of his poor defending in the first place.

 

[Willlow]

Pass statistics?

Also it has been clear this season for me that Bamba does most covering. Not once have I seen mills do a last ditch tackle or beat a man for strength. The red cards are also inexcusable for a player who is supposed to be the captain. The stats you posted are valid but don't tell the whole truth about mills

Why use statistics when you can you biased opinion?

"Not once have I seen Matt Mills make a last ditch tackle"...Have you been to any games of the 25 games this season or do you listen to the radio?

Mills is constantly getting blocks and tackles in without any fuss. I admit that it is easy for less knowledgable fans to be taken in with the Sol Bamba singing, but for every last ditch tackle Bamba makes why not pay attention to why he is having to make it. More time than not it will be because he has given the ball away in the first place.

 

[FryattFox]

Why use statistics when you can you biased opinion?

"Not once have I seen Matt Mills make a last ditch tackle"...Have you been to any games of the 25 games this season or do you listen to the radio?

Mills is constantly getting blocks and tackles in without any fuss. I admit that it is easy for less knowledgable fans to be taken in with the Sol Bamba singing, but for every last ditch tackle Bamba makes why not pay attention to why he is having to make it. More time than not it will be because he has given the ball away in the first place.

Agree with this, although I think people are getting too hung up on blaming one of Mills or Bamba. They are very different defenders, with Mills relying on positioning to get blocks and tackles in, whilst Bamba can afford to give most forwards a bit more space as he is quick, strong and more inclined to make a sliding tackle.

Neither are perfect and hence why they're playing in the Championship. Unfortunately Mills cost far more than Bamba, and is less of a crowd-pleaser, so will receive more attention.

 

[Willlow]

Agree with this, although I think people are getting too hung up on blaming one of Mills or Bamba. They are very different defenders, with Mills relying on positioning to get blocks and tackles in, whilst Bamba can afford to give most forwards a bit more space as he is quick, strong and more inclined to make a sliding tackle.

Neither are perfect and hence why they're playing in the Championship. Unfortunately Mills cost far more than Bamba, and is less of a crowd-pleaser, so will receive more attention.

I'm not blaming either of them, I think together they make a good defensive pairing. I just needed to highlight that the sun doesnt shine out of Bamba's arse as much as some fans think it does.

 

[Profondo Rosso]

Why use statistics when you can you biased opinion?

"Not once have I seen Matt Mills make a last ditch tackle"...Have you been to any games of the 25 games this season or do you listen to the radio?

Mills is constantly getting blocks and tackles in without any fuss. I admit that it is easy for less knowledgable fans to be taken in with the Sol Bamba singing, but for every last ditch tackle Bamba makes why not pay attention to why he is having to make it. More time than not it will be because he has given the ball away in the first place.

Fair enough for criticising Bamba for giving the ball away, but then praising Mills saying he gets these blocks in without any fuss is strange. Mills gives the ball away even more than Bamba.

 

[Willlow]

Fair enough for criticising Bamba for giving the ball away, but then praising Mills saying he gets these blocks in without any fuss is strange. Mills gives the ball away even more than Bamba.

How does blocking the ball have anything to do with distribution?

Sometimes Mills does have a tendancy to launch the ball long straight to the opposition, and maybe he does give the ball away more than Bamba. However, Bamba loses the ball in more dangerous positions (normally edge of our own box).

Dont get me wrong I think Sol Bamba is a good defender, and I have said before I think Mills and Bamba make a decent pairing. I just dont think the gulf in class that some suggests exist between Bamba and Mills is true. The only difference is one has a song and the other doesnt.