Everything but the goal: GW6

My experiment to see what success, if any, can be had by selecting a player with good underlying statistics from a small number of games had it’s first triumph last week – but only for the control group. The test group, those that haven’t delivered returns in a small number of recent games despite good numbers, are still waiting to get off the mark. I assess players in this experiment as having either found their objective (goal, assist or clean sheet etc.) or missing it.

My test group selection last week was Shane Long. Although he started, the game time curse of being an Everything but the Goal pick struck again and he was substituted for Charlie Austin after 54 minutes having managed two shots, one inside the box and off target and one outside the box and on target. His objective had been to score and he went missing. After getting on the pitch, Austin promptly rattled off four attempts, including three in the box and two on target, and found the net. There was a goal for Romelu Lukaku, my control group pick, and he therefore found his objective. He managed to do it with his only shot of the match.

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My Everything but the Goal pick this week is Son Heung-Min. Against Sunderland in Gameweek 5 the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder fired seven shots. Five of those shots were in the area, including two that were blocked. Two of his shots tested the goalkeeper. He also created five opportunities for team mates without gaining an assist, but his objective against Middlesbrough will be to score.

The control pick – a player with good underlying statistics who did convert last week – was close between Michail Antonio (eight shots, including five in the box and three on target, for one goal) and Alexis Sánchez. The Arsenal man is the selection because his shots, while fewer in number, were of better quality – three of his four shots in the box were on target (including both of his goals), as was his shot from inside the D. His objective this week is to score.

Season EBTG score: Found 0 – 4 Missing.

Season control score: Found 1 – 3 Missing.