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By: timmyg | September 15th, 2009

After the Chelsea match, I mentioned the obvious fact that if you don’t have the ball, you cannot win.

Well, looking at these two charts that is only sort of true.

Against Villa Paul Konchesky and John Painstil had almost double the amount of passes than against Everton. Not only that, but both had way more incomplete passes against Everton than Villa.Yet Fulham beat the Toffees and lost to the Villans.

The ball is round, no?

The obvious differences between the charts is the average location of each pass. Painstil was a threat on the wing against Everton — easy prediction alert: he’s going to score this season — and the stats show. Konch looks to be in the same position in both matches, but the direction of the passes were forward instead of sideways or backwards, and not a hive below the half line.

But there was so much more in this victory than the defeat two weeks ago. AJ and Zamora’s pairing should be canonized. Murphy is the catalyst to defense and offense. And Duff proves he still has it.

The lads are off to Sofia on Thursday to start the Europa League group stages.

Can’t really explain why, but I’ve always wanted to travel to Bulgaria. Luckily, my girlfriend was able to when she was studying abroad recently. She said it was quite filthy and decrepit — and that’s coming from someone living in Baltimore — with stray dogs running amok. To her, it was more remiscent of her time in South Africa than what is considered “Europe”. Which is maybe why I am fascinated by the nation, and the rest of Eastern Europe.

Hopefully the lads, and the fans, leave with a better impression. I’ll still be jealous. Or on second thought maybe not?

PFC CSKA Sofia (obviously, they’re the army team) is currently leading the Bulgarian A PFG (Professional Football Group) with four wins and a draw. Oh, and they’ve yet to concede a goal, while scoring 14. Nil-Nil written all over it.

Lastly, can’t stop listening to the new dirty projectors. Here’s their hit, but not best, song: