After posting the attacking rankings for all of League One yesterday, it’s now time to look at how successful each defence is using 4 comparable rankings looking at shots against per game, percentage of shots against on target, percentage of shots on target saved and number of corners conceded per game…

SAPG = Shots against per game | SAPGr = Shots against per game rank

%SAOT = % shots against on target | %SAOTr = % shots against on target rank

SR = Save rate | SRr = Save rate rank

CCPG = Corners conceded per game | CCPGr = Corners conceded per game rank

DEF = Defence (Total of all attacking ranks) | DEFr = Defensive rank

ALP = Actual league position | Diff = Difference between attacking rank and ALP

Surprise, surprise… the figures clearly show how the Swindon Town defence has seriously let the team down with a lowly rank of 21st in League One. The team allow the opposition too many shots (rank 15)  and afford them time to allow a high percentage of shots on target (rank 17). Thankfully Lucas and Smith have a better than average save rate (ranked 9 at 75.93%) to deal with the many shots on target. What has really let us down is the amount of corners conceded per game, our average of 7.6 per game is the highest in the division, so this fits with my experience of seeing our opponents use pressure well or have been given space and time around the box, thereby dominating large sections of play.

The attacking ranking showed league leaders Brighton ranked 16. Their defence ranking of 4th shows why they have suceeded this season by pressuring opponents to restrict the number of shots at their goal with an average of only 6.6 shots against per game, also saving a high 82% of all shots on goal and most importantly they’ve minimised the number of corners conceded (to 5.2 per game) to limit opponent chances in the final third.

Unsurprisingly highest scorers Peterborough came 2nd in the attacking ranking, but it’s now apparent that their attacking prowess is at the expense of their defensive duties. Defensively ranked 19th, Peterborough seem willing to allow to give their opposition many shots (11.7 per game) and a fair amount of corners (6.6 per game), knowing they will score one more than you with their excellent forward line as they’ve conceded twice in two games and put 4 or 5 past opponents.

Sheffield Wednesday started the season well, however they soon suffered tight defeats and now sit 10th. Their defensive rank (rank 1st) puts them top of League One with a consistent better than average performance at the back in all areas. Seeing that they’ve only conceded 7 goals and not more than a single goal in a match this season, their high ranking is to be expected.

Yesterday I singled out Charlton Athletic for their lack of attacking adventure with four 1-0 victories this season. Their defensive ranking of 11th shows that their lack of ambition going forward hasn’t really resulted in an outstanding defensive performance so far with an average defensive rank of 11.

There is a big difference between the defensive performances of both Leyton Orient and Brentford, who despite ranking 8th, are 22nd and 23rd respectively in the league table. I can only put this down to the difference between their home and away performance so far, whereby both have been strongest at home, but dismal away from home without a win.

Later I will post a table to compare the attacking and defence.