superniko

Cannot believe Evans has got a starting place here. Regardless of Johnson’s fitness he shouldn’t be next in line.

Yes the table is specific to individual games. e.g. i think one model i saw had us drawing with Bournemouth, beating Watford and Cardiff and losing to Forest. The 2nd sentence would be relating to the goal difference and xG actually has us 1 goal fewer than we've scored through the 7 games so far. So we can be top of overall xG table which takes into account game by game and also xG goals scored.

It's not a definite science by any measure, but allows you to see where positions may be false and gives you a guide to under/over performance vs luck essentially. For example a poster here assuming Reading were the bookies favourites, probably from just purely looking at the league table. Bookmakers and pro's would incorporate it into their pricing, especially for outright modelling, if we remain as dominant as we have been in the last few matches over the next week or two expect us to be one of the favourites for the league. It's not solely based on the quality of chances, it also takes into account the location of the chance and the type of chance e.g. penalty, 1 on 1, header etc. Different companies have different models though and some may not take this into account in lower leagues. It's obviously not the be all and end all, but it offers a bit of perspective on what is currently a small sample size (6 games) EDIT: what Joe said ?

You can try on the Sky Sports app (although i think that has to be Sky subscribers too). Otherwise it's free on the Sky Bet app if you happen to have an account with them. EDIT: noticed plenty of others have suggested this too now.

Rovers sitting top of the xG table, with Reading mid-table. It's unsustainable for them to continue as they are (1 shot on target at home vs Wycombe). I'm expecting us to dominate possession and with Holtby playing I think we will create the chances to win this comfortably

Couldn’t care less if Brereton doesn’t score all season if he continues with these assists. He’ll prob be a 5-10 a season guy but that’s fine in the role he now plays and as a non-setpiece taker. He was brilliant again today, as was Elliott and I think this will continue to be our starting front 3 for the time being.

Fantastic from Brereton again today. The thing about today that I’m happiest about is the fact Tony saw the players who needed replacing and did so. Glad it’s been rewarded with a win and long may it continue.

Glad Armstrong slotted the penalty, missing 2 in 2 might have had a dent in his confidence a bit. Hopefully we kill it off quickly in the 2nd half.

No complaints with that team what so ever. I’d rather have seen Buckley than Johnson in this kind of game but can’t complain. The main thing Tony had to do was replace Bell and Evans with Douglas and Trybull and he’s done that.

No Holtby? Or is he not available and I’ve missed it? He’s been our best player this season.

Buckley was poor against Forest, however Johnson has been no better in the last few games. He also played alongside Evans and Johnson, I’d expect more for him with Holtby in the centre too. Assuming Ayala is injured... Kaminski JRC Lenihan Williams Douglas Holtby Trybull Buckley Elliott Armstrong Brereton

Did he also put the ball through for the yellow card that could/should have been red? I think it was, and it was also a lovely weighted pass. Both were from more central areas though, not convinced he’s an out and out wide man (first time I’ve watched him mind you).

Rothwell still out for Saturday. Eugh

The Cardiff and Forest games were far more frustrating. We really need to bounce back in a game we expect to win on Saturday. Rothwell, Trybull and Douglas in for Evans, Johnson and Bell. Williams in for Ayala if he’s injured.

Is Rothwell clear for Saturday? If so I’d like to see him and Trybull alongside Holtby.

Fair enough, I’m only going off what I’ve seen in a Rovers shirt. Don’t get me wrong, he’s good enough to be a regular in our front 3, but that says more about Gallagher etc. than Arma himself.

I remember the average years prior to that, does that make my memory good / not laughable?

Let’s put this “relying on Armstrong’s goals” shite to bed please. He’s had half a good season with us (and 2 games this season). He was bang average in L1 with most this board calling for him to be benched. Talk of £15m was laughable and we’d be complete mugs to have turned anything like that down.

“See above”

What the fuck is Armstrong doing there. It’s like he assumed he was offside so just went for it. I wonder how many games he has to go without scoring and constantly missing chances for everyone to remember how bang average he was for 2 years

I posted this same team in the “best team” thread last week. Hopefully post Christmas when everyone is fit, with Dolan and Brereton playing their part in the attacking 3. In the meantime Brereton/Dolan for Dack with Arma in the middle and give Trybull a run until Travis is fit.

Holtby has been brilliant, he makes such a difference. Evans and Johnson are passengers. Do not suit the high press game and offering nothing on the ball either. Evans can’t play in a 3 like this. Bell out of position on numerous occasions and he’s so uncomfortable on the ball it’s painful to watch the mis-placed passes. We’re not far away and that’s what makes it so frustrating. How long will it take Tony to play our best 11?

I’m not too disappointed with the line up to be fair. Dolan has been quiet the last two matches. Glad Elliott has come in, although could have been for Brereton. Just glad Gallagher isn’t starting in the front 3 personally. Would have preferred Douglas and Trybull instead of Bell and Evans but I understand the reasoning. Hopefully we look more like the Derby match than the Forest match.

2 goals for Whiteman tonight...where’s Sparks!?

Kaminski Nyambe - Lenihan - Ayala - Douglas Holtby - Travis - Rothwell Elliott - Dack - Armstrong 7 of these 8 Subs: GK, Williams, JRC, Trybull, Johnson, Buckley, Dolan, Brereton Not needed: Gallagher, Chapman, Bell, Evans