Truths, damned truths and statistics - by John Brennan

Recently I wrote an article comparing Klopp's current situation with that of Gerard Houllier's first season. In it, I wrote the following....

“GH’s first season, then, in 1998-1999 was much like Klopp’s, both taking charge ten or so games into the season. And using the season to assess their squad. GH quickly understood (and I imagine this is the stage Klopp is at now) that any professional relationship is built on one thing: trust. And he couldn’t trust what he had. Why don’t we trust people? Because they cheat us. Just like some of this bunch we have will do time and again, like against Stoke and Watford. It’s Klopp’s duty to see who they are and get rid. His success or failure will depend on him doing it as effectively as GH.”

And now West Ham... This isn’t going to get better any time soon, is it? If we didn’t know it before, surely we know it now: Klopp has a mammoth task on his hands. And the first thing he’s got to do – before anyone talks about January transfer windows – is to take stock of what he’s got at his disposal. Unfortunately, as each game goes by, that becomes easier and easier to do. This is a team that inspires neither confidence nor trust. A team that lacks bottle (although I know what I’d do with one if I saw any of them).

For a team that showed “character” for years, I haven’t seen much it of late. But beyond fight and character, talent comes into it too. And we haven’t got a lot of that either. We’re just not that good and the sooner we stop dreaming (any chance of a “Make us get our head out of our arses” banner?), the better for all concerned. This lot in the European Cup? I suppose we might see Luis back at Anfield. Ah, that reminds me of a time we used to score goals...

I saw on Twitter earlier (where else?) that we have never scored as few goals after 20 games of the season. As of today, we’ve scored 22 in 20 games. We score a goal every 82 minutes. That’s 1.1 goals a game. Hark back to 2013-2014. We scored every 42 minutes, averaging 2.80 goals a game!!

But this decline isn’t recent. Last season, we scored 52 goals in the whole season, which was an average of 1.37 goals a game. In other words, less than half as good as Rodgers’ best season. That was “good” enough for 62 points and sixth place. So what will our 1.1 goals a season be good enough for this year? 60 points. At a push. Eighth or ninth place? Probably.

If we criticised our defensive frailties in 2013-2014, then we can most definitely look at the other end of the pitch now. When did all this change? In the summer of 2014, is the harsh truth. Suarez left for 75,000,000 and in came the following “attacking” players (stop laughing at the back): Lambert 4,000,000 + Lallana 25,000,000 + Markovic 20,000,000 + Origi 10,000,000 + Balotelli 16,000,000. For a grand total of 75,000,000. Not to mention this summer’s “catch” (you decided on its meaning) of Firmino 21,300,000 and Benteke 32,500,000. Oh, those figures are in pounds.

So since Luis left, we’ve spent 128,800,000 (by “we” I mean the transfer committee – after all, who isn’t on it?). For that, ladies and gentlemen, we have scored 74 goals in 58 league games. Yes, we have gone from 101 goals in 38 League games to 74 in 58. 

Or in other terms, we scored more 27 more goals in ONE season than in the last SEASON AND A HALF.

Klopp will need time. New players. And Sturridge.

John Brennan