Actually, I think these statistics are quite relevant. We moan and grown about how shit we are, how we have little creativity in our midfield, how our shape has been lost without Lucas, but the statistics make clear that most of that is rubbish. We just need to convert the chances we are creating. We have given up a few sloppy goals out of those 120 shots taken against us, but those would not matter if we converted more.
For all the statistics that people dream up, the ones that matter are shots and goals and the percentages between the two. And we have performed well on most fronts. Defensively: shots given up (low), goals given (low), perhaps too many goals/shot. Offensively: Shots taken (high), goals scored (low), conversion rate (pathetic).
Looking at those statistics, you would think that we were taking loads of crap shots from the left wing, but the fact that we have hit the woodwork 30 times suggests that many of the shots were not crap. And, when you watch the games, it is so painful not because we do not get good chances (that would just bore us tears and hurt like a dull ache), but because we do not score the chances we get (which is more like a knife in our side every time it happens).
So, my conclusion: this is the painful impact of Torres leaving. We believed in him and he believed in himself when he was here and his conversion rate was one of the best in the world. Luis and him would have fed off each other magically. And, he was just starting to bang in goals under Kenny when he left. And with his big money move, his confidence disappeared. The same happened to Carroll. And, our other major source of goals, Stevie, was injured and also lacking confidence. Purple patch Kuyt, never hit his patch or had the chance too.
So, hopefully Carroll's confidence is growing and that will help, but I think almost all of our summer efforts should be spent on finding a clinical goal scorer. Van Persie would be the most desirable except his injury record is awful for the money required. We need to find the next Van Persie, the next Torres, the next Hernandez. Someone who will convert 50+% of their chances.
All the other discussion about new midfielders, wingers, fullbacks is secondary to me. Yes, we could use better wing play and we could always use more depth, but we NEED goals from the chances we are already creating.
Sorry for long post....been out touch for a bit and these thoughts have been brewing. Dee gave me an excuse to let them out.
