The Numbers Game

Why does stopping a goal beat scoring one? Why do the best defenders rarely touch the ball? Why is ditching your worst player smarter than buying a superstar? In this myth-busting book, Chris Anderson and David Sally show that the normal football terms - goals, possession, points, transfer fees - can actually hinder how we understand the game. Instead, by diving deep into the data, they uncover hidden truths about what is really happening on the pitch. Wonderfully readable and counter-intuitive, The Numbers Game will win you plenty of pub arguments. After reading it you will never think about football in the same way again. 'Rush to read this book immediately. The game [you] love will take on new depth, colour and subtlety.' Ed Smith, The Times 'Pundits, armchair fans and professionals will find that several of their long-cherished truisms are not true at all.' Guardian 'Challenges everything we know about football.' 'Sportshour', BBC World Service 'A highly original contribution to our understanding of what we are seeing at a match . . . unbeatable.' Independent on Sunday