Opta Team of the Season. Surprising Liverpool Addition?

FEATURE The Opta Premier League Team of the Season
27th April 2010

With the PFA recently announcing their team of the season for 2009/10, Opta use their analysis algorithm, a scoring system based on more than 300 different recorded actions, to provide their own line-up of the Premier League’s outstanding performers of the season:

Marcus Hahnemann, Wolverhampton Wanderers   
More saves per game than any other regular 'keeper - 4.4   
Highest saves-to-shots ratio of any regular goalie - 79.7%   
96% catch success rate   
Glen Johnson, Liverpool
More successful crosses per 90 mins than any other defender
Created more goalscoring chances per 90 mins than any other defender in open play
2.19 completed dribbles per 90 mins is 0.83 more than any other defender

Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United
Blocked 1.17 shots per 90 minutes, only five defenders more
One goal conceded per 128 mins on the pitch - the best rate in PL this season.
Won 71% of his duels - the highest proportion in the league

John Terry, Chelsea
Only two defenders helped keep more clean sheets (15)
Only two players made more successful passes this season than him (1572)
Scored more than one PL goal for first time since Chelsea's last title win in 05-06

Ashley Cole. Chelsea
Kept a clean sheet in 53% of the games where he played the full 90 mins
Scored three goals from just 10 shots
Had the second-highest passing accuracy of all defenders - 88%

Niko Kranjcar, Tottenham Hotspur
At Spurs created 2.8 chances per game, 5th most in the league
Has created five or more goalscoring chances in three games this season
Five of his six assists have come away from home

Francesc Fabregas, Arsenal
Created more goalscoring chances per 90 mins than any other player (3.9)
107 touches per 90 mins is over 10 more than any other player
Most assists in the league this season (13)

Frank Lampard, Chelsea
Scored 20 league goals in a season for the first time in his career
Created more goalscoring chances than any player this season (109)
More shots (109) than any other midfielder

Florent Malouda, Chelsea
Second only to Cesc Fabregas in terms of chances created per 90 mins (3.4)
Set up 10 shots away at Birmingham, as well as having six himself
Only winger in PL to score more than one brace of goals this season

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
Averaged 0.92 goals per 90 mins this season, more than any other player
Top scorer in the league with 26
Only Tim Cahill scored more headed goals (5)

Carlos Tévez, Manchester City
Scored seven braces - a league-high along with Drogba
Was the only striker to assist two goals in a match twice
Since December 1 has scored 20 goals, more than any other PL player

Of the 11 players to have made it into the PFA’s team of the season, only Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas make it into Opta’s.

Perhaps the most surprising inclusion is Marcus Hahnemann of Wolves, the only player in the list not to represent a side in the top seven this season. Though the ‘keeper has been one of the busiest in the league as his side fought against the drop, his excellent saves-to-shots ratio of 79.7% is perhaps the main reason for his position as the Premier League’s number one.

Fabio Capello could be boosted by the presence of five England players in Opta’s team of the season, including three defenders: Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole and John Terry, leaving only one position in defence available (the next highest-ranked central defender on the Opta Index was Spurs’ Michael Dawson).

Also interesting to note is the striker combination that the scoring system provided, as two team-mates from last season, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, were ranked the top performers this season, narrowly ahead of Didier Drogba.

With the season not yet over, Chelsea fans will be boosted by the fact that players from their team make up four of Opta’s “best XI”, compared to just two from Manchester United and one from other sides. With the Premier League title race still open, will their star performers be able to reach their peak again in the two games remaining and clinch the title

Glen Johnson statistically our best player for his position.. We may not think much of him defensively but creatively the man.

Someone already posted this.

Glen Johnson statistically our best player for his position.. We may not think much of him defensively but creatively the man.

Don't think it comes as a surprise to anyone that Glen Johnson was the best attacking right back in the league bar none, unfortunately it came at the expense of his defensive duties.

Someone already posted this.

My apologies. Move or delete as appropriate so.

It's in here, mate....

http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=29507.msg651159#new

Thats the PFA thread though not the opta team. Although I suppose its much of a muchness

I know mate but there's a post on that page, identical to yours.
I'm not moaning, just telling you before someone else does,

I know mate but there's a post on that page, identical to yours.
I'm not moaning, just telling you before someone else does,

It's okay I wont take it personally when it gets merged

I think glen Johnson should play on the right side of midfield like alves does for Barcelona , he is made for that role with Kelly behind at right back , suprised Lucas wasn't in the eleven for all them assists that Rafa would have you believe he makes.

I don't take much notice of the Opta ratings, prefer to rely on my own eyes!

I thought Lucas was the Opta God?

At least that's what I've been beaten to a pulp with this season, when questioning Lucas' purpose in the side. Opta this, Opta that, Opta said he's the dog's bollocks, Opta said he's the son of God, Opta said he's completed 208374562807475 passes successfully, Opta said 873246598273 of those passes were sideways, Opta said 309485729864572 were backwards and Opta said that 4 of those passes were forward  

Terry's got a new team of missus' to shag.

And I dont give two shits about Opta. Hahnemann or Pepe? Now, I dont know which is a tougher...that question or being made to watch fat shirtless Rooneh's tits bounce up and down in his Powerade advert again.

I thought Lucas was the Opta God?

At least that's what I've been beaten to a pulp with this season, when questioning Lucas' purpose in the side. Opta this, Opta that, Opta said he's the dog's bollocks, Opta said he's the son of God, Opta said he's completed 208374562807475 passes successfully, Opta said 873246598273 of those passes were sideways, Opta said 309485729864572 were backwards and Opta said that 4 of those passes were forward 

I think your getting mistaken with corballyred in the Glen Johnson thread. Credit to him he was right all along.

Still mentions nothing about his defending this 'Opta' bullshit.

Hopefully as this stats of Glen Johnson making him play right side wideman for us next season.
It's his and our strength, hope he get a chance to try and do better for attacking role.
More hope that like of Martin Kelly will come back strongly to compete for RB position.

Wait for a day LFC come back to glory.

Sorry for my poor English.

Johnson will get better defensively. It takes time to settle and get used to your new team mates. This season was that much of a fuk up, so many Injuries etc..