Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

Well done to Paul May, in his guise as ReamsofVerse, for updating what used to be netaddicks, but for the moment is just Charltons Rivals site. the left hand menu now contains "reams" of information to go alongside the insightful comments from the addicks board contributors.

Pulling out a few gems from the Championships stats season to date has revealed some real gems. There have been four Championship teams of the week, forty four players have been nominate, Scunthorpe have supplied four nominations whereas Charlton have supplied only two - Moutakil v Scunthorpe and Reid v Sheff Wed, which goes to prove the point that this League does not appreciate real quality, where was Iwelumo's nomination for his performance against Sheff Wed?


Charlton's leading scorer in all competitions is Andy Reid, but who do you think has had the most shots? Iwelumo - no, Marcus - ha bloody ha, Toddy - nope, surely not Mcleod, surely you are right its not him either. No the leading shot taker this season is non other than much maligned Darren (Dazza) Ambrose 21 shots 8 on target and 1 goal.Reidy has 16 shots, 7 on target and afer that it trails away, Iwelumo leads the forwards and has had 11, with 3 on target and the defence is led by Fortune with 3 all off target, so McCarthy could claim top spot having scored against Stockport.

Then players most lacking in discipline are those defensive chopper Hariss's Jose Semedo 8 fouls and - you guessed - not Paddy or Thatch or Magic, How about John Fortune - nope he's only got 4, no guys and girls the foul count is led by none other than out own Chopper Harris, Norman Bites Yer legs Hunter, yes its Darren Ambrose, matching Semeo's 8, although he has committed more in the championship.

There are lots more useles stats if you need to get yourself to sleep, just go to Charlton Rivals who would have thought it darren Ambrose leading the stats .

The Ruskies are .... going

Just got back from Wembley, stadium looks great, although the approach is through some of the poorer parts of London. New stadium, new team attitude but it was nice to hear some good old English nostalgic songs like "No surrender to the IRA", nice also to see good old English fans turning up barely able to walk worse for alcohol and of course full respect being paid to the oppositions National Anthem.

Russia were very good in parts, just did not have the finish, that said its about taking your goals and Owen was excellent, although I would not have given him man of the match, that would have gone to Emile Heskey, who won everything in the air and the extra space Owen found was created by the fear that Heskey created.

SWP had an indifferent game and as long as he is this inconsistent and his crossing is so poor the door will be open for Beckham to return. Whatever happened to the worlds best left back and I don't mean Chrissy Powell, Ashley Cole has become pants ever since he joined Chelsea and released that cry baby biography, over elaborating and often losing the ball. Ferdinand is definitely an international level Jonathan Fortune, but he took his goal well. Robinsons contributions shows that his confidence is coming back and well done to McClaren for his management of the keeper. I thought after Saturdays game, Micah was caught out by a better player than he had previously faced, but he's young and he'll learn, one for the now and the future, unlike Gary Neville, who is one for the past.

I've seen England play three times, the previous two (one under Sir Alfs management) were draws so this was a nice change.

What a fantastic night for Scotland, I can see the tabloids now predicting a Scotland England Euro Championship finals!!

Next up for England Russia away on their rubber matting!!