“Eighty for the cup and forty to stay up” should be the mantra for the Barclays Premiership according to an invaluable piece of research, in a few moments when I had nothing better to do, other than to fill an excel chart and draw graphs. So what’s new, some might say!
Analysis of the past nineteen years confirms statistically 38.4* is the average number of points required required to stay up and 80.2 are needed to win the title race. Statistics to one decimal place do not make for easy rhyme.
As for the Premiership this year, 73 points would have done the trick, no need for 80 from Manchester United, as the London challenge faded in the final stages.
Coming from Wigan, I do not share the football affliction, red or blue that besets the city. Brought up watching Billy Boston charging down the wing at Central Park, with a strange shaped ball under his arm has enabled me to approach the close of the Premiership season with statistical detachment.
As for the angst in Blackburn over the week-end, no need at all, 38.4 points were always going to be enough. The actual requirement is 38.3684210526. JKA
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The views expressed are my own and in no way reflect pro.manchester policy. In no way should the comments be considered as investment advice or guidelines or reflect political bias. UK Economics news and analysis : no politics, no dogma, no polemics, just facts. JKA is a visiting professor at MMU Business School, an economist and specialist in Corporate Strategy, educated at LSE, London Business School with a PhD from Manchester Metropolitan University.
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