James has picked a team to line-up in a 4-4-2 formation, but how many Posh players did the data suggest he picked?
9.
LEFT-WING: JORDAN GRAHAM (Gillingham): In truth Gillingham star Graham has played most of the season on the right wing, but he’s been so good I’ve squeezed him into my team of the year on the opposite side. Graham is an all-round talent offering both goals and creativity. He’s notched 11 times so far this season (four from the penalty spot), while no player in League One has created good chances as frequently as Graham with 0.34 expected assists per 90 minutes. The former Wolves player has also been able to carve out good scoring chances for himself and others through his excellent and skilful dribbling, attempting 8.4 per 90 minutes at an outstanding success rate of 66.44%. Moreover, no player has attempted more crosses than the well-travelled wideman’s 6.43 per 90 minutes, which has been a huge factor in Gills striker Vadaine Oliver, a fine header of the ball, having his best ever goalscoring season (15 goals). Photo: George Wood/Getty Images.
10.
CENTRE FORWARD: CHARLIE WYKE (Sunderland): I want a nice balance up front with a physical, goalscoring machine partnered by a more creative, pacey striker. This position was a toss-up between Sunderland’s Wyke and Jonson Clarke-Harris of Posh. Wyke gets the nod as at 0.65 non-penalty goals this season only Charlton’s Chuks Aneke can match his scoring rate, while Wyke’s 24 non-penalty goals just pips Clarke-Harris’s 22 when we exclude his successful penalties. Wyke has also contributed a higher percentage of his team’s goals, scoring 48.83% of their non-penalty goals when he’s on the pitch compared to Clarke-Harris’s 34.43%. This essentially means the powerful Wyke has scored his goals in a far less creative team than Clarke-Harris. Photo: Stu Foster/Getty Images.
11.
STRIKER: SIRIKI DEMBELE (Peterborough United): While I may have angered Posh fans going for Wyke over Clarke-Harris, including Dembele was an absolute no brainer. The Posh star offers goals and assists and was recently the first player in League One to reach both 10 goals and 10 assists this season! No forward who has played more than 1000 minutes can match his expected assists per 90 minutes rate of 0.18 while his dribbling numbers are off the charts, attempting 9.55 dribbles per 90 minutes, 27% more than his next nearest competitor. Dembele, who can also play on the wing, has also contested the fifth most defensive duels per 90 minutes among forwards in the division, showing that he can contribute to all phases of the game. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.