Because I know how much people appreciate them... Using a readily available statistical website, the best performing third division 'keeper this season is Joel Pereira, of Reading. Of the 638 goalies used by BFC this season, Ben Killip ranks highest. The 23rd best goalkeeper this season, just ahead of Murphy Cooper (Stevenage) and Corey Addai (Stockport). In 31st is Gabriel Slonina. None of our other stoppers have played enough games (at least 10) to make the list (of 43 players). Moving on to centre halves. Again, of those who've started at least 10 games, the top three in the division this season have been (according to this data website) Lloyd Jones (Charlton), Paudie O'Connor (Lincoln) and Lewis Brunt (Wrexham). The highest rated BFC centre half is Marc Roberts, who ranks 26th. For context, Jamie McCart (who played 13 games for Rotherham before going back to the SPL) is 20th. The rest of the Reds' centre halves are rated 52nd (Josh Earl), 58th (Donovan Pines), 77th (Maël de Gevigney) and 87th (Conor McCarthy). That's from 95 qualifying players. For clarity, the statistics have full backs and wing backs in the same category. So wing backs have an advantage as goals and assists massively skew their data. So we should do well in this position. Starting on the left-hand side, the top three performers in the division based on this website's data are Jack Currie (Orient), James McClean (Wrexham) and Tayo Edun (Peterborough). The only BFC player to have played in that position on at least 10 occasions is Georgie Gent. He ranks 25th of 27. On the right flank, the top three are Kayne Ramsay (Charlton), Tom James (Orient) and Ethan Laird (Birmingham). Reds wing back Corey O'Keeffe is 4th best in the division, of the 29 qualifying players. Again, this system groups all kinds of midfielders together, but the top three centre mids are apparently Lewis Wing (Reading), Albie Morgan (Blackpool) and Luke Leahy (Wycombe). BFC's midfielders are ranked 28th (Jon Russell), 29th (Adam Phillips), 44th (Luca Connell) and 99th (Kelechi Nwakali) of 113 qualifying players. I haven't done wingers, as none of ours qualify for obvious reasons (sorry, Stephen Humphrys). Onto the forwards then. The three 'best performing' forwards (strikers?) are Miles Leaburn (Charlton), Davis Keillor-Dunn and Kyle Wootton (Stockport). The rest of the Reds' strikers rank 23rd (Stephen Humphrys) and 43rd (Max Watters) and 55th (Sam Cosgrove) of 58 qualifying players. Looking at individual things, such as goal contributions... Alfie May (Birmingham) 23 Charlie Kelman (Orient) 22 Richard Kone (Wycombe) / Davis Keillor-Dunn (21) Kwame Poku (Peterborough) / Jay Stansfield (Birmingham) 20 (9 penalties) Worth noting that £15,000,000 Stansfield playing in the best team has just 9 goals from open play. Adam Phillips has 16 goal contributions, Jon Russell 10. Based on combining pass accuracy, key passes, attempts made per game and assists, Corey O'Keeffe is the third best 'passer' in the division, behind Joe Powell (Rotherham) and Lee Evans (Blackpool). Marc Roberts is 5th in the division for successful aerial duels. And of the 553 qualifying players, all positions included (10 games or more in the division), Robbo (40th) is our best performer this season, with DKD next (42nd) and Corey in third (62nd). The worst player in the division this season is apparently Freddie Ladapo. Team wise, no club attacks down the left less than BFC. Only 31% of the Reds' play goes down that flank. Probably something to do with Brexit. And for xG fans, we've outperformed ours by three quarters of a goal. Make of that what you want!
What I make of that is that the stats show we've had a below average season, so they're accurate in that respect! Interesting read though.
how is roberts higher than dkd overall when dkd is top 3 attackers according to those stats and roberts 26th best defender.
According to the website, their player ratings are based on a comprehensive algorithm that analyses over 200 raw statistics from each game played. These are weighted according to the influence on a game, and both positive and negative events are considered. I think that stats are just a useful, interesting tool. Not the be all and end all. For context, in 23/24 our top three players were: Herbie Kane (58th), Jamie McCart (66th) and Maël de Gevigney (70th). In 2022/23: Mads Andersen (21st), Bobby Thomas (29th) and Luca Connell (45th). In 2021/22: (Championship) Michal Helik (10th), Carlton Morris (59th) and Mads Andersen (120th).
Slonina 31st out of 43. Kin ell some reight ***** out there then. Given all the negativity by some on here when we signed Killip. It goes to show, how wrong they were.
Just shows how stats can be manipulated by any means. Show the ones you want, hide the ones you don't want to see. McCart being that high is laughable!
I would suggest that 23rd best goalkeeper shows how right they were given there's only one goalkeeper per team on the pitch.
Good point and maybe a little misleading. But I genuinely believe Slonina was one of. If not the worst goalie to have played for Barnsley in my time to have played over 10 games. And my point still stands re Killip. Many, if not all of those who wrote him off b4 he played a game (because of the levels he'd played at). Changed their minds.
Not many top 3/4 ratings there then. Presumably Neerav and Mladen are signed up to a different stats service
Wasn't disputing Slonina mate, totally agree with you. I thought Killip was steady but nowhere near the top echelon in League 1. Those stats kind of proved my point
It really is a difficult stat to process mate. I tried to work out some of the figures, and of Shots on Target Killip stands at 71.2% saved. Which puts him in 6th place. Which I would have thought would be nearer the mark. Hence why pompey may have gone for him as back up in the squad. Other examples. Allsop at Birmingham 74% Baxter at Bolton 64%
This statistically backs up what I’ve been saying all season. Marc Roberts holds our defence together and is currently our most important player. At this level every team needs a player at the back like him.
It also confirms, that Robbo needs 2 solid defenders at least around him. We are so poor defending wise.
Agree Baz. Hopefully Shepherd and Lopata have gained good experience. Both been getting very good reviews.
