A LOT of interesting stats making Roy Hodgson look a right mug for his England squad selection

The game’s not won on paper and all that.

Stats don’t tell you the real story. They don’t paint a full picture. They don’t get the feel for the game that an experienced pro can.

Stats can be manipulated until you get the angle you’re looking for. They don’t consider squad dynamics, opponents, “other aspects” of the game.

However, for poor Roy Hodgson, stats are what are being used to lambaste his England squad selection. Despite picking a fresh-looking 26-man provisional panel ahead of Euro 2016, the manager is being ridiculed for his omissions – the same players he would’ve been ridiculed for including.

It’s certainly not a horrible collection of players and it boasts the kind of freshness and edginess that the English public have been crying for for years.

They were fed up seeing the like of Theo Walcott take other people’s places automatically. Now they’re fed up seeing other people take Theo Walcott’s place. And Mark Noble’s of course.

But there are stats to back up the grievances. There are always stats.

Mark Noble

Via Squawka.

2015/16:

Henderson + Delph + Wilshere:

Games: 37 (2193 mins)
Goals: 4
Assists: 3

Mark Noble:

Games: 37 (3196 mins)
Goals: 7
Assists: 4

— West Ham (C)entral 🏆 (@WestHam_Central) May 16, 2016

2015/16:

Hend/Delph/Wilshere:
Key passes: 18
Chances created: 21
Tackles won: 41

Noble:
Key passes: 46
Chances created: 50
Tackles won: 74

— West Ham (C)entral 🏆 (@WestHam_Central) May 16, 2016

Theo Walcott

https://twitter.com/BBCSporf/status/732167459751526401

Jermain Defoe

Jermain Defoe.

18 goals in 29 starts (+5 subs) this season for a team that finished 17th.

How is that not worthy of a call up?

— Sunderland Stats (@SunderlandStats) May 16, 2016

Michail Antonio

PL goals & assists:

Antonio = 15
Lallana = 10
Sterling = 9
Rashford = 6
Townsend = 6

Guess who Roy didn't pick… pic.twitter.com/L7SM72hnnR

— West Ham (C)entral 🏆 (@WestHam_Central) May 16, 2016

Of course, there were plenty of other gripes too.

Martyn Waghorn?

Rangers’ finest.

https://twitter.com/RangersCulture/status/732149568574492672

Jonathan Grounds?

Birmingham agenda.

No Jonathan Grounds? 😳

— DavoBirmingham (@DavoBirmingham) May 16, 2016

Lewis Cook?

No love for Leeds.

Where is Lewis Cook?!?!?!?!

— YBI (@YeboahBelieveIt) May 16, 2016

Wes Morgan?

Jamaica shamaica.

https://twitter.com/Joe_Clarky/status/732148741113778176

Gareth Bale?

where's bale ??

— DB. (@_DanB_19) May 16, 2016

Riyad Mahrez?

Can’t even fit the PFA Player of the Year in.

https://twitter.com/_CiaranKelleher/status/732149190890000384

Roy got close enough with his stats in fairness.