The beautiful game is one of the few sports that can make statistics completely irrelevant. One team can dominate possession, have dozens of shots and yet lose 1-0 thanks to a smash-and-grab job by a team that plays to its strengths. A good example would be a typical match between Stoke and Arsenal. As unreliable as statistics are in terms of pointing to result in an individual match, an examination of West Ham’s statistics can reveal a few certain nuggets of information.
West Ham boasts the Championship’s best defence so far this year, conceding 17 goals in 20 league matches. Even with the back four having to be shuffled a few times since Winston Reid’s injury and an apparent lack of depth at centre back, the club can feel confident about limiting the goals scored against them. This is probably down to, apart from the skill of the defenders themselves, Big Sam’s tactical preferences and Robert Green, who has been immense between the sticks this season. This defensive ability has been really evident away from home, where the club has lost just once, in a 1-0 loss at Southampton. With these kind of statistics and apparent toughness to beat (something that has been lacking for quite some time), West Ham look in good hands currently. But what about on the other end of the pitch?
On the goal scoring front, West Ham have slotted home 36 times in league games. These goals have been spread around 14 different players, but the lion’s share belongs with Carlton Cole, Sam Baldock and Kevin Nolan. While the club isn’t exactly free scoring (again perhaps owing to Big Sam’s tactical preferences), they have managed to score and more importantly, win. Though often chided for his defensive lapses, Julien Faubert has been great with his crosses and assists, as has Matt Taylor, who along with Baldock and Nolan, must be considered the signing of the season so far. While it is nice to see the goals spread amongst the team, it is worrying that when Baldock is out, the club really look devoid of a natural finisher. Cole has been great up top, particularly as a sub oddly enough, but the one thing a club that is as responsible at the back as West Ham needs is a clinical finisher because there will be games when there are not a plethora of chances. All in all, West Ham’s statistics look just as good as their record would indicate. A positive 19 goal difference bodes well, and if things continue West Ham will find themselves in the Premier League next year. As for today, Reading has been on a solid run of form, winning four of their last six. However, West Ham can win this game and make it five away wins in a row! Either way, let’s hope the boys in Claret and Blue get the three points in some fashion and without picking up another injury. Come on you Irons!
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