Then there’s the increase in progressive, attack-minded, and high-pressing managers being employed in the bottom half of the table.

Then there’s the increase in progressive, attack-minded, and high-pressing managers being employed in the bottom half of the table. Entertainment is increasingly prioritised over the old fire-fighter approach, thanks in no small part to the Premier League’s increased pulling power, which sees exciting young coaches plucked from big clubs across Europe. Take AFC Bournemouth, who […]

Tactical fashion has led to more attacking football

So, what other changes might account for the goal glut? A common theory is penalties, which, with the advent of the stuttered run-up, certainly don’t feel like lotteries anymore. The data backs this up.This year’s penalty conversion rate of 90.3 per cent is the highest of all time, and yet – with penalties being awarded […]

been scored within those periods.

But what has caused such a dramatic rise? Are goalscorers better than they used to be, is more additional time giving us more goals, or is there a tactical factor at play? We looked at the data to find out.More time equals more goals. That’s simple enough. But as legs tire in the second half, […]