(all data taken from Fotmob)

As we have just passed the quarter mark of the League One season, I thought it would be interesting to delve into the stats behind City’s start to the season. It’s often the saying that stats don’t tell the full story in football, but I thought my findings showed a pretty accurate reflection of where City are at this season so far.

Average Player Ratings

1- Will Aimson – 7.56
2 – Alex Hartridge – 7.21
3 – Pierce Sweeney – 7.15
4 – Demetri Mitchell – 7.12
5 – Tom Carroll – 7.05

City’s backline, alongside Deme Mitchell & Tom Carroll have produced the highest average ratings so far. City’s back three have played well on the whole so far, and I am not surprised to see them top the ratings. Mitchell has had an explosive start to the campaign and has looked City’s biggest threat, while Carroll is the midfield linchpin who oozes class and keeps possession more than any other for City, completing an average of 57 passes per 90 mins, with a pass completion rate of 83.9%. Only 5 players in League One currently have a higher average rating than Aimson. It must also be mentioned that Kyle Taylor posts impressive stats for ball wins in the final third, chances created per 90 minutes and is also frugal with his passing (completion rate of 85.5%).

Defence

Will Aimson produces an average of 6.5 clearances per match (amassing 76 clearances in total so far this season). Alex Hartridge comes in next, averaging 4.4 clearances per match (53 in total). Looking at League One as a whole, City are 8th for clearances per 90, which would suggest the City defence is being called on too often to clear it’s lines. Hartridge averages 2.3 interceptions per game (27 in total). Vinny Harper averages 1.5, Will Aimson averages 1.2, followed by Zak Jules and Pierce Sweeney (1 and 0.9 respectively).

Vil Sinisalo is having to make on average, 3.6 saves a match. Only Cheltenham keeper Luke Southwood is making more (3.7). The Finnish international, on loan from Villa, is clearly having to come under more pressure than City would like. Thankfully, he is responding well and displaying consistently good performances. Sinisalo has prevented 4.2 goals so far this season, 2nd only to Barnsley keeper Liam Roberts. Vil has also saved 76.5% of the shots he has faced, bettered only by Burton Albion’s Max Crocrombe, Barnsley’s Roberts and Will Norris of Portsmouth. City have managed 5 clean sheets from their 12 matches so far. Only Stevenage, Barnsley & Blackpool having more shutouts (all have 6 clean sheets). Looking at xG against (expected goals conceded), City are 6th in the league, with only 5 times expected to have conceded more goals. With an xG against of 15.4, City are still giving up too many chances. Wigan have the highest XG against in the league, while Northampton have the least.

Possession

City are averaging 55.3% possession per 90 minutes, showing that the Grecians are generally dominating the ball in matches. Only 5 teams in League One are having more possession than City (Bolton, Portsmouth, Peterborough, Bristol Rovers & Charlton).

Attack

City have an xG (expected goals) of 13.5, which is 14th in the league. Of those expected goals, City have converted 11 times, underachieving in front of goal. City are having an average of 3.9 shots on target per game, 15th in the league. Mitchell, Trevitt, Scott & Aimson are currently top of the goal charts (2 each). James Scott is actually outperforming his xG. His expected goals is currently 0.31 per 90 minutes, but his actual goals per 90 is 0.56. This does highlight though the lack of clear opportunities our front man has been getting during matches. The Grecians are 11th for big chances created per 90 minutes. When looking at big chances missed, City have missed 18. Only 4 teams in the league have squandered more big chances. A big chance is a situation where a player should be reasonably expected to score. This is normally a 1 on 1 situation, or an attempt from close range and when there is low to moderate pressure on the player shooting.

These stats show that City are currently underperforming in front of goal. The hope is that Admiral Muskwe’s return to the team will help City convert more chances, and he really needs to hit the ground running to help City return to winning ways and be more of a threat in front of goal. City midfielder Reece Cole has created 21 chances for the team, 7 more than 2nd placed Tom Carroll (14). Deme Mitchell comes next with 12 chances created and then Dion Rankine is the next most creative with 8 chances created. Considering Rankine hasn’t played for some weeks now, it shows that City need some more creative sparks from the rest of the team. However, further injury to Ryan Trevitt has also not helped City’s creativity. Of the 21 chances Cole has created, 6 of those are classed as big chances, but only 1 of those had led to a goal.

When looking at xA (expected assists) per 90, Reece Cole is top with 1.8, Carroll 2nd with 1.6, followed by Trevitt (1.4) and Mitchell (1.2). In terms of actual assists, Mitchell is top with 2, followed by Cole, Carroll, Nombe, Cox and Jake Richards, all with 1 each.

Summary

City are fortunate to have Vil Sinisalo between the sticks, with the Villa stopper performing fantastically and regularly making big saves when called upon. Will Aimson has been dominant in defence when clearing balls into the box and has also chipped in with a couple of goals. The back three are performing well, but City are still conceding plenty of chances.

Reece Cole has been the most creative influence in terms of chances, but I suspect his set piece delivery is also aiding this statistic. That being said, it shows that he is becoming an increasingly important member of the team. When back from the International break, I would like to see a midfield 3 of Cole, Trevitt & Carroll more often.

City are not producing enough shots on target during matches. Currently sat in 15th place for SOT shows that this is a very obvious area that needs improvement. 18 big chances missed shows that the Grecians are creating, but not converting on a regular enough basis.