Six Games In, Title Sponsors Vanarama Have Their Say!

Title sponsors Vanarama have taken a deep dive into the data to pull out some key insights after Matchday 6...

Gateshead: Kings in the North

We know expected goals aren’t everybody’s cup of tea. Football is played on grass, rather than spreadsheets, after all. But go with us here.

After six rounds of the National League, Rob Elliot’s Gateshead are exactly where they should be – according to the data.

Expected goals give a likelihood of 1 to 100 of every shot going in, based on factors including distance from goal, angle, shot type and the number of defenders between the shooter and goal.

As well as topping the actual table, the Heed lead the way for xG with 12.98 expected goals. In other words, from the 86 shots they’ve attempted – also top of the table in the National League – they have mustered efforts worth roughly 13 goals.

Pleasingly for Elliot and co., the Tynesiders have found the back of the net 14 times.

Braintree can Iron out attacking concerns

It might have been a tough introduction to life back at Step Two for the Iron but there’s good news hidden in the data.

With just three goals scored so far, Braintree are the National League’s lowest scorers. Yet their xG of 7.89 would have them comfortably in mid-table.

Nobody has underperformed their expected figure by more than their 4.89 which indicates that if Angelo Harrop’s side keep creating high-value chances, they’ll start hitting the back of the net sooner rather than later.

Defence wins titles – can Dale profit?

Being sat in fourth after six games has only enhanced Jimmy McNulty’s hero status at Spotland.

A miserly defence has underpinned Dale’s success thus far with nobody conceding fewer than their two.

Nobody has given up chances worth less than Rochdale, either. At 3.71 expected goals against – exactly the same as xG but the value of shots a team concedes – Dale are top of the pile.

Their xG shots conceded map makes interesting viewing as the two goals they have conceded – marked with red stars – were both considered high-quality chances despite their position.

Pleasingly for McNulty, his side have only conceded four on-target shots inside the box in six games!

Pass masters on Tyneside

As well as topping the actual table and the xG one, Gateshead have attempted (3,522) and completed (3,066) more passes than anyone in the National League.

The Tyneside outfit have built upon former boss Mike Williamson’s blueprint since former technical director Elliot took up the reins – and how!

Gateshead have attempted more final third passes – those are passes ending in the final third – than anyone with 462. They’re behind only Barnet (316) for completions with 312.

The Bees are also the only side to have attempted and completed more forward passes than the North-East outift, who have managed 1,098 and 830 respectively.

Crossing a line?

Southend United might have endured a spotty start to the new season but their game plan is clear.

Nobody in the National League has completed more crosses than Kevin Maher’s side – 44. That gives them an overall success ratio of 40%. Only Solihull Moors (42%) and Wealdstone (41%) have had more joy crossing the ball.

With goal-machine Gus Scott-Morriss on the right and Jack Bridge on the left, it’s little wonder.

The Shrimpers also led the way in 2023/24 with 344 completed crosses from a league-high 979 attempts.

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