Points gained, points lost

[Ludlow Richard]

This season we've lost 28 points from winning positions and gained 21 points from losing positions, with one game to go. How does that stack up against previous PL seasons?

Just to discuss the concept a little first, taking two examples. First, Watford away in 2006/07. We drew 3-3. After being 0-2 down we came back to draw 3-3, so on the one hand we gained a point from a losing position. However, from 0-2 down we came back to be 3-2 up, before Watford equalised. So on the other hand we lost two points from a winning position.

Second, Arsenal away in 2023/24. We were 1-0 up but drew 2-2. So we lost two points from a winning position. But we were also 2-1 down in that game and equalised, so we gained a point from a losing position.

The obvious way to do the stats is to use the first goal in a game as the start point for points lost and points gained. That's how the 28 points lost from winning positions and 21 points gained from losing positions is calculated for this season.

This year's numbers are the biggest in our PL history, for both categories. The closest to this season is the Great Escape Season, with 13 points gained from losing positions, and 25 points lost from winning positions. 2005/06 saw 20 points lost from winning positions.

The lowest figure for points lost from winning positions is 6 in 2011/12 when we were ahead in three games and went on to draw all three. That season we also gained 13 points from losing positions, and in no PL season has there been a bigger gap in our favour between points gained and lost.

The lowest figure for points gained from losing positions is the 2 points in 2020/21 (18 points lost from winning positions that season).

This post has probably set a new forum record for use of the words "position" and "positions" in a single post.

[spoonffc]

I'd say we certainly lost 4 point to Everton away and West ham at home with lapses of concentration and not closing those games out and could even argue not closing the half out against Everton at home cost us 3 points with how it changed the wind. Could counter it with 3 points gained against Brentford at home and just say it all evens it's self out in the end..

I think the one thing I have taken from the season however is that we do seem to lack a little street smarts at times when it matters, that horrible part of football.. The Mourinho edge if you were.

Dare I say, but are we a bit nice.

For all our improvements when it comes to our footballing identity, there is apart of me that will think what could have been this season. No doubt I am very content on the whole but in order to improve I think a shift in mentality needs to happen. That and a decent set piece coach, set pieces have been bloody woeful!