The remarkable stats behind Sheffield Wednesday's best strike partnership
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In some ways, it seems so simple; Josh Windass, he of a turn of pace and an ability to stretch defences, alongside fox in the box Jordan Rhodes, who has an ability to eek out chances and play with his back to goal.
Throw in the forward runs of, say Callum Paterson or any number of the squad’s wide men, and in theory there’s something to work with there.
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Hide AdThe statistics may point Darren Moore to a way forward when it comes to Wednesday’s attempt to make a last-gasp dash out of the relegation spots with only nine matches left to play.
Overall Wednesday have scored just 28 goals – the same tally as Brentford striker Ivan Toney – in 37 matches, at a touch over 0.75 goals per game. Only plucky bottom side Wycombe Wanderers have scored fewer.
But here’s the stat. In just five league matches in which Rhodes and Windass start together, the pair have made nine goal contributions, one assisting a goal for the other on three occasions.
Though they have been few and far between – the pair started the season together at Cardiff and at home to Watford and had to wait until the Norwich match last week for their next chance together – the numbers suggest the pair click in an otherwise goal shy side.
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Hide AdMuch has been said about the side’s inability to score enough goals and much has been laid at the door of the strikers but together with Paterson, they top the club scoring charts with six league goals each.
In fact, all three strikers are outperforming statistics based on the quality of chances they have been afforded.
Though both Paterson (39) and Windass (54) have taken the most shots in the squad, many have been forced from speculative areas. The Expected Goals (xG) of both players is less than their tally; Windass’ is 5.87 and Paterson’s is 5.53.
Enter Rhodes. His six goals have come from 20 shots at goal, which xG calculates the probability of just 4.43 goals, meaning the finisher is operating more than 1.57 xG above expectation.
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Hide AdWith nine games left, Wednesday will be hoping goals are more forthcoming as they battle to beat the drop.