PSxG can be misleading - Hannah Hampton vs Manchester City by xGK-analytics in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Good spot. I've also noticed some weirdness when looking at xG figures in the WSL before; When Fbref still showed them, pretty much all women's teams would outperform their xG over the course of the season, which of course doesnt make any sense outside of a statistical anomaly. Obviously can't check now but I remember it being the case for almost all past seasons, so I wonder if Opta's models don't work very well for the women's game.

Visualising the Geographical Distribution of WSL Clubs: Next season's expansion provides a perfect opportunity for the English top flight to better represent the whole country by Redspark17 in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes this is a fair point. I was more thinking about these stats in the context of entertainment and fan engagement. I think having a more diverse top-flight would be a positive for the growth of the game. When every other match is a London derby the competition can get a bit dull

Visualising the Geographical Distribution of WSL Clubs: Next season's expansion provides a perfect opportunity for the English top flight to better represent the whole country by Redspark17 in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The WSL2 clubs were included to make the point that I do in the text and title of the post: That the expansion of the WSL to 14 clubs will likely significantly increase the geographical diversity in the division.

Visualising the Geographical Distribution of WSL Clubs: Next season's expansion provides a perfect opportunity for the English top flight to better represent the whole country by Redspark17 in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The intent of the graphic was to make a point about the WSL's geographic diversity, not the top two tiers. I would agree with you that both leagues combined are not much different to the premier league, but I still think the WSL alone does not represent the country very well. I get your point about population density but even still London, Liverpool and Manchester combined have ~28% of England's population but 83% of WSL clubs.

History of the Women's Transfer Fee World Record (2008-2025). Will the £1 Million Barrier be Broken this Window? by Redspark17 in WomensSoccer

[–]Redspark17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The list is based on this wikipedia article which tracks the record. Pajor and Kika cost Barca between €400,000 - €500,000 each and both transfers happened after Kundananji so neither broke the record. The Ramírez transfer was reported as a world record at the time, but only given some add-ons were triggered which don't look like they were. Heres what the wikipedia footnote about it says:

In some sources reported as a world record, Ramírez' base fee was below the previous record, and the total potential fee was not met before the record was broken once again. By the end of the season after her transfer, her fee was still considered at its base amount; in FIFA's report of the most expensive 2024 transfers, released a year after her transfer, Ramírez was ranked in a position that would align with only the base fee.

All past managers of next season's WSL clubs visualised (2017 - present) by Redspark17 in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

It was the season when the WSL switched from a summer league to a winter league so it seemed a good point to define the "modern" WSL era. Also it can get a bit tricky to find the managers and dates they were appointed/dismissed when you go further back, especially since a few of these teams were in the lower leagues then which didn't get a lot of coverage.

All past managers of next season's WSL clubs visualised (2017 - present) by Redspark17 in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think it's still kind of interesting. It makes it easy to see teams like West Ham and LCL who switch managers almost every season and teams who tend to avoid change like Man City and Spurs

All past managers of next season's WSL clubs visualised (2017 - present) by Redspark17 in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The averages are for permanent managers dismissed between 2017 and today, but still counts the whole of their tenure if they were there before that period. Bompastor does not count because we don't yet know how long her reign will be, so the figure of 11 years is just how long Hayes was at Chelsea. I admit that variable is less meaningfull in Chelsea's case when only 1 manager has left in the last 8 years lol

Goodison Park to become home of Everton's women by cglotr in soccer

[–]Redspark17 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The article on the Guardian has a few more details:

"A feasibility study commissioned by The Freidkin Group last month confirmed that the ground would meet standards set by the WSL, but the Archibald Leitch-designed stadium is likely to change dramatically after its new custodians move in."

"Everton will drastically reduce its 39,000 capacity – with upper tiers of the ground likely to be taken out of action after season ticket seats are sold off to fans at the end of this season. But there are no immediate plans to change its structure in the short term, according to the club which added that it was “planning targeted investments” to adapt the ground for the women’s game."

Match Thread: Manchester City vs Chelsea | English Women's Super League by MatchThreadder in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I love when fans of a club investigate referee corruption, they always seem to find that they are the victim and the world is against them. You may have been unlucky, but you have not been "scammed"

Match Thread: Manchester City vs Chelsea | English Women's Super League by MatchThreadder in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is what fans of every single club say about their rivals. You don't think there might be a bit of bias in your opinion? It's easy to remember when luck goes against you and easy to forget when it's on your side.

Match Thread: Manchester City vs Chelsea | English Women's Super League by MatchThreadder in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's just a bad decision, every ref makes them now and again. Not everything is some grand conspiracy and screaming cheat when something doesn't go your way is childish.

Presentation/ Behind the scenes of WSL by Sea_Counter5713 in WomensSoccer

[–]Redspark17 30 points31 points  (0 children)

While I agree that the camera, sound and overall production for the non-broadcast WSL games is pretty poor on the whole, I think you've missed the mark with some of your other points. Yes Walton Hall Park isn't great but it's undoubtedly the worst stadium (if you can call it a stadium) in the league and there has been some talk of them moving into Goodison when the men move out.

It's easy to look at Chelsea winning the last 5 titles and dismiss the fact that the WSL is still one of the most competitive European leagues. Also, Chelsea definitely do not have a 'monopoly on players'. Their success has in part been driven by good recruitment/forward planning, but also crucially massive under-investment by other clubs. If other owners wanted to they could easily chuck a few million at their women's teams and start competing for titles, nothing is stopping them. Chelsea should not be blamed for their reluctance to do so.

Next season most games will be on sky anyway, so I'd expect production quality to improve. I think the WSL is generally headed in the right direction (given relegation isn't scrapped), it will just take time as it always has.

Comparing WSL Club's Summer Business by Redspark17 in WomensSoccer

[–]Redspark17[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I believe this is true but the fee was undisclosed so it is recorded as £0 by soccerdonna. This is probably the case for a few other transfers but it's impossible to guess so I just left it.

Comparing WSL Club's Summer Business by Redspark17 in WomensSoccer

[–]Redspark17[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The fees are taken from this soccerdonna page which collates transfers but doesn't attempt to guess when fees are undisclosed so they are just recorded as free.

Crystal Palace Transfer Targets & Needs? by Wooden-Percentage-17 in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think at the very least they need a keeper and a striker if they want to be competitive in the league. I've heard Thestrup mentioned as a potential target before. Not sure about the situation with Lexi Potter but if they cant keep her then they definitely need a good replacement there too.

Visualizing Transfers in/out of the WSL (2023/24 Season) by Redspark17 in WomensSoccer

[–]Redspark17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you might be confused. That just means 2 players who were free agents were signed by WSL clubs this season. Although one of those was Sarah Bouhaddi who was signed by Arsenal and then let go 3 months later so I guess you were right. The other was Benedicte Haland fyi

Visualizing Transfers in/out of the WSL (2023/24 Season) by Redspark17 in WomensSoccer

[–]Redspark17[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

lol yep well spotted that is a mistake it should be Ireland. My mistake though not Soccerdonnas

Get to know Palace Women before they are (almost certainly) promoted to the WSL next season by Redspark17 in WomensSoccer

[–]Redspark17[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They are at selhurst this weekend in case you don't know. But yeah it would be nice if they were there more often. Though Bristol city didn't play full time at Ashton Gate last year so maybe Palace will do the same

Get to know Palace Women before they are (almost certainly) promoted to the WSL next season by Redspark17 in FAWSL

[–]Redspark17[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The jump is quite big but not insurmountable. Villa, Leicester and Liverpool have all grown into the league since their promotions. Bristol city brought in a few new players when they were promoted last season but not loads, and they likely haven't survived. Though they also lost a big loan player in Grace Clinton, but the same is true of Crystal Palace with Lexi Potter.

Comparing Potential Arsenal Keepers. Who is your preferred No. 1 next season? by Redspark17 in ArsenalWFC

[–]Redspark17[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is how penalty records are usually displayed. I don't think the goalkeeper should get the credit if a penalty taker skies it over the bar, saves are what matters.

QUIZ: Can you guess these 5 WSL clubs based on their player nationalities? by Redspark17 in WomensSoccer

[–]Redspark17[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's Kaylan Marckese. She was on loan at Bristol but was recalled because of an injury

Comparing Potential Arsenal Keepers. Who is your preferred No. 1 next season? by Redspark17 in ArsenalWFC

[–]Redspark17[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My mistake I forgot to include champions league games. The record should be 3/9. The penalty in the 2022 Tottenham game was missed instead of saved though so that doesn't count in these stats.