Comparison: 2014/15 to 2013/14
By Leipziger
February 17 2015
Exeter on Saturday was a bit of a crash, but in general, it feels like the Falcons are doing better than last season, and the stats show that. I expect they will anyway. Lets have a look at some Premiership numbers:
Place after 14 games: 11th. 2013/14 11th – Same
Wins: 4 (29% of games). 2013/14 total: 3 (18% of games) – Better
Tries scored: 34 (2.42 per game). 2013/14 total: 23 (1.04 per game) – Better
Tries conceded: 37 (2.64 per game). 2013/14 total: 62 (2.82 per game) – Better
Points for: 278 (19.86 per game). 2013/14 total: 281 (12.77 per game) – Better
Points against: 336 (24 per game). 2013/14 total: 544 (24.73 per game) – Better
Try bonus points: 2. 2013/14 total: 0 – Better
Losing bonus points: 3 (30% of defeats). 2013/14 total: 8 (42% of defeats) – Worse
Match points: 21 (1.5 per game). 2013/14 total: 22 (1 per game) – Better
So there we are, we are generally doing better in the league this year. Interesting our points conceded and tries conceded rates are pretty much the same, but we are scoring a lot more points (generally an extra converted try per game), yet getting slightly fewer losing bonus points. So perhaps improving the defence should be a priority in the coming months.
Overall though, I ask this question: are you enjoying watching the Falcons more this season? I am. Many times over. And that’s got to be a big positive.
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We need though to start winning more Premiership games. If we can just win another couple of games,pick up some losing bonus points and finish 10th, it will have been a successful season. If we don't win any more and finish 11th again, I'm not sure what will have been proved.
Quote:Cantabrian
If we don't win any more and finish 11th again, I'm not sure what will have been proved.
I agree with not winning any more, but if we won say seven or eight games in total and finished 11th I would be ok with that, because it will be progress on last season in ourselves and we cannot influence what Irish do in 20 of their games.
Two things concern me - not enough LBP - which means when we lose we are losing heavily not narrowly. This is a concern because if we were close then one could easily envisage learning to kill a game off and nicking wins being an aim next season and that would make a significant difference to our league position.
Secondly our defence hasn't changed - so was it always good enough or are we slacking. I think it may be more the latter. Points difference doesn't lie - it is a very accurate way of seeing league position even without any other stat.
Overall though as our games against Bath, Sarries and Saints have proved, we can live with the best in the league. This ability has occurred during the season. Had it happened at the beginning we would be easily mid table (6 to 9). I think we will strengthen in the offseason and our younger players will be more experienced (with more talented kids to come). I see us fighting higher up the table for the first time in well over a decade next season.
Semore has made it clear that we have to be self sufficient moving forward to safeguard the future of the club.
Whilst it may take us as a club a little longer to get to where we need to be I for one think it the best and only way to achieve success in the future.