As we currently sit 8 points off the playoffs Darrell Clarke’s regular reminders of the “fine lines” in football keep coming to mind. As fans we often crave large overhauls, a mass exodus of those “not good enough” and a big name stiker to come in and make the difference.
However, looking at the data (and having been to all bar two games) I think we are closer to being a playoff side than most think. We could have won just 4 more games (8%) to extend our season. That could’ve been as little as 4 more goals
I thought I’d start looking statistically at the games where we have dominated and not come out on top, which made me realise even more how close we are to what might have been
Blackpool (away)
A trip to the seasiders is always fun as we take a decent crowd. The stats show we had the better of the chances. The painful moment for me was when the ball was flashed across goal by Gaffney and missed the back post (and on rushing strikers). Literally inches from three points.
Walsall (away) on boxing day and Wimbledon (away in February) were both really tight games. The Wimbledon game in particular statistically showed our lowest level of chances in a game and the Dons barely had a shot of note until they scored in the last kick of the game. A tiny bit more creativity could have been enough to nick either game
Plymouth (away)
Finally, I believe refferring decisions even themself out over a season. Despite the stats making the game appear even, you can’t help feel hard done by when at Plymouth we had 2 players brought down when through on goal and Plymouth had two penalties.