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Welcome back… Jermain Defoe | Stats

Welcome back … Jermain Defoe

He may have looked like an extra from a Sisko music video with his new haircut but there is no doubt Jermain Defoe has defences dancing to his beat this season. The diminutive striker, 30 this year, has often been seen as one of the country’s most natural goalscorers. This reputation was forged in the youth academies of Charlton and West Ham and only enhanced when he went on loan to Bournemouth in the 2000/2001 season. 18 goals in only 29 games and a record equaling 10 goals in 10 consecutive games announced Jermain Defoe to English football. However, it has all been easy for the striker. If the 2000/2001 season was the launchpad for a young Defoe’s career, the 2010/2011 season could well have been the curtain on his Premier League career.

The 2010/2011 season was Jermain Defoe’s worst as a professional footballer based on goals scored in the league. Just four. This would be perhaps understandable in a team struggling against relegation but Tottenham were flying and challenging for a second consecutive Champions League spot. Ultimately, they fell short and for a number of Tottenham fans, Defoe inability to convert his chances had a lot to do with it. Only the die-hard fans with long memories would have shed a tear had Defoe departed in the summer.

Defoe – Attacking Statistics 2010/2011

Goal Attempts

Goals

4

Mins per goal

370

Shots on Target

23

Shots off Target

19

Total Shots

42

Mins per shot

35

Mins per shot on target

64

Shooting Accuracy

55%

Chance Conversion

10%

Defoe – Attacking Statistics 2011/2012 (up to including 4th Jan 2012)

Goal Attempts

Goals

7

Mins per goal

114

Shots on Target

18

Shots off Target

14

Total Shots

32

Mins per shot

25

Mins per shot on target

44

Shooting Accuracy

56%

Chance Conversion

22%

It is not only John Travolta that has a blast in the summer. It is often Premier League footballers that are pictured in exotic places enjoying the lifestyle their talent affords them. However, it was encouraging to hear that Jermaine Defoe had, on the back of his poor form, employed a fitness coach to get him back to top form.

I am not sure of the name of the fitness coach but Spurs fans owe him a debt of gratitude. While there has only be a modest increase in Defoe’s shooting accuracy, up this season to 56% from 55% in 2010/2011, there has been a marked increase in his chance conversion. This has gone from just 10% in the 2010/2011 season to 22% thus far this season.  At the exact half way point of the season, 19 games gone, 19 games to go, Defoe is just one goal away from doubling his goal tally from the entire 2010/2011 season.  His minutes per goal ratio has also dropped dramatically, 370 minutes per goal last season and now down to 114 minutes per goal. If these statistics were to remain constant over the next 19 games, Defoe would finish the season with 14 league goals. This would be his third best season as a professional behind his 2000/2001 season with Bournemouth and the 2009/2010 season with Tottenham (both 18 league goals).

With the European Championships to look forward to at the end of the season, Jermain Defoe is expected to push hard for a place in Fabio Capello’s squad that makes the trip to Poland and Ukraine. At this moment in time, his main rivals for a spot must surely be Wayne Rooney (13 league goals) and Daniel Sturridge (9 league goals).

Rooney – Attacking Statistics 2011/2011 (up to and including 3rd January 2012)

Goal Attempts

Goals

13

Mins per goal

107

Shots on Target

34

Shots off Target

25

Total Shots

59

Mins per shot

23

Mins per shot on target

41

Shooting Accuracy

58%

Chance Conversion

22%

Sturridge – Attacking Statistics 2011/2011 (up to an including 4th January 2012)

Goal Attempts

Goals

9

Mins per goal

124

Shots on Target

20

Shots off Target

22

Total Shots

42

Mins per shot

27

Mins per shot on target

56

Shooting Accuracy

48%

Chance Conversion

21%

There is not much between the strikers when you look at their attacking statistics. Rooney’s statistics put him ahead of the other strikers but there is little to choose between Defoe and Sturridge. A shooting accuracy of 58% for Wayne Rooney is ahead of Defoe (56%) and Sturridge (48%) however, the chance conversion ratio for all the strikers is around one in five. Rooney and Defoe, with a 22% chance conversion ration, are slightly ahead of Chelsea’ Sturridge on 21%. The minutes per goal is also comparable with Rooney again ahead at 107 mins per goal, Defoe nestling in the middle at 114 mins per goal and Sturridge marginally behind on 124 mins per goal.

With a rejuvenated Jermain Defoe playing alongside on loan star Emmanuel Adebayor, Tottenham are flying high in the league. There is no doubt Defoe would like further minutes on the pitch, he has played just 795 minutes out of a possible 1710, but he will be happy with his increased efficiency. With a major tournament in the summer, Spurs fans can look forward to a fruitful season from Defoe.

Gareth Johnson
Gareth Johnson
Coming to terms with being 30 year old .. Spurs fan .. born and bred in the North East. 9-5 work in financial services, after hours anything from a blogger, referee to star photographer. A bit of a fan of a statistic or two. Formerly known as Statto at school ... Find me on twitter @GMMJohnson
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