Plough Lane By Numbers
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Plough Lane By Numbers
@ploughlanebynum.bsky.social
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AFC Wimbledon blog, stats and opinions by Tim Hanson
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New Womble Coefficient pod now out.

Review of Burton defeat. State of League 1 review. FA Cup focus and Gateshead preview/predictions.

Thanks to @ryandeeney.bsky.social for the Gateshead insights.

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7lb6...

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
TWC21 - Our First Loss in a While, and Gateshead FA Cup Preview
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Burton a tough team to call. Due to score a few more, also due to concede a few more. Rare game when Dons will be big favourites. Burton may look to frustrate, different challenge to overcome. But think we will. 2-0 Dons. Another for Bugiel and Hackford sealing it off the bench.
Most of Wimbledon's team should pick itself, assuming no surprise injuries. Only question probably at centre back - whether Bauer keeps spot, or if Lewis is fit enough to return, or does Harbottle start with Johnson moving to the centre? All decent options tbh.
Burton also have a fair few injuries. Defenders Vancooten and Moon, midfielders McKiernan and Williams, and forward Larsson all missing.
Keeper Bradley Collins has been good. Loan signing from Coventry. Lots of experience both with Cov and Barnsley. Played 6 games since signing and been busy. Most saves per game in L1 (4.3), 2nd best save % (81%). +4.7 on goals prevented stat, impressive figure from just 6 games.
20 year old Finn Delap (no 26) has come into the team at centre back recently and earned good reviews. Brother of Liam/son of Rory. Will be a good test for him against Bugiel.
Biggest goal threat might be Jake Beesley (no 9). Summer signing from Blackpol. Scored 3 goals this season but had plenty more chances. 6.45 xG, 3rd highest in L1. Biggest underperformer vs xG in division so far. Likely to be partnered by Fabio Tavares (no 11) up front.
Burton's standout player is probably Charlie Webster (no 8). 21 year old Chelsea academy prospect, signed by Robinson. All action attacking midfielder. 3 goals and an assist this season. Taken 39 shots, joint 4th highest in L1. Cucurella-esque hair makes him easily stand out.
Burton manager Gary Bowyer took over after Mark Robinson's short reign in December last season. Did a brilliant job to keep Burton up after being well adrift at the bottom.

Bowyer can mix up formations a bit but has most often played a 352 or 3412 this season.
Burton average 45.5% possession. 16th highest in L1.

4th most successful crosses per game in L1 this season.

5th highest set piece xG for, but only scored twice from them so far.

Look susceptible to counter attacks. Conceded 3 from them this season, joint highest in L1.
Weirdly, reverse is true for defensive numbers. Burton have conceded 16 goals, middling in L2. But given up 21.1 xG - highest in L1. Conceded 4th most shots, 3rd most shots on target.

So missed chances at both ends in Burton's game.
Burton have only scored 10 league goals this season, joint 2nd lowest in L1. Underlying numbers suggest lots of missed chances. xG of 16 is 10th best in L1. Rank 15th for shots on target per match, 7th for big chances. Missed 22 big chances, joint 4th highest in L1.
Burton's away record is not great. W1 D2 L2. Only win was an impressive one, 1-0 at Cardiff, but was a bit smash & grabby. Cardiff racking up 2.6 xG and missing 8 big chances.
Burton sit 22nd (3rd bottom) in L1, with 12 points from their 12 games (W3, D3, L6).

They lost 1-0 at home to Peterborough last week in a big game down the bottom, though Burton looked the better team.

Before that picked up 7 points in 3 games vs Cardiff, Doncaster & Bolton.
Wimbledon vs Burton stats-based preview thread...

#AFCW
#Brewers
Reposted by Plough Lane By Numbers
New Womble Coefficient Pod now out. We cover...

🔥 Plymouth review - another away win, another comeback
🔦 Spotlight on three iconic Summer 2023 signings: Johnson, Reeves, Bugiel
🔮 Burton preview & predictions

Available in the usual places. #AFCW

open.spotify.com/episode/0eif...
TWC20 - Plymouth Win and the Continued Success of Summer 2023
open.spotify.com
New Womble Coefficient Pod now out. We cover...

🔥 Plymouth review - another away win, another comeback
🔦 Spotlight on three iconic Summer 2023 signings: Johnson, Reeves, Bugiel
🔮 Burton preview & predictions

Available in the usual places. #AFCW

open.spotify.com/episode/0eif...
TWC20 - Plymouth Win and the Continued Success of Summer 2023
open.spotify.com
Reposted by Plough Lane By Numbers
Might be right. A bit hard to tell based on last season though as he only played one game between 14 Sept and 30 Dec (so didn't have much of a first half of the season).
Plymouth seem to have a wide variety in performance levels so a tough one to call. But feel they may struggle against organised sides who can frustrate them. First draw of the season for Dons last week and I can see another one here. 1-1 again.
Interesting selection decisions for JJ. Expect Johnson to return for Harbottle, though slight concern about Argyle targeting through balls in Bauer/Johnson channel.

Hippolyte should also return. I'd personally bench Orsi with either Browne or Hackford playing off Bugiel.
Centre back Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu (summer signing from Fleetwood) has stood out this season, but mostly for the wrong reasons. Scored OG on debut and subbed at HT. Seen a red card since and given away penalties. More comfortable after moving to back 3 but still error prone.