Behncke has played in 823 minutes this season. When he is playing opponents have scored ten goals against the burn or 1.09 goals/game. That is 70% of the total burn minutes with only 10 goals scored against. It is an amazing defensive accomplishment. In the 347 minutes that Matt has sat the bench the opponents have scored 10 goals or 2.6 goals per game. That is not so great. Matt is not necessarily an amazing player and he has made a few glaring mistakes, but he consistently puts it all out on the field. He has finally been given enough playing time for the statistics to overcome our false impressions. 823 minutes give data to draw significant conclusions. Matt makes the diffence in the back.
Actually, it's not that much time. One game (90 minutes) can really skew the averages one way or the other. Tell you what. Do the averages in the following situations: * While he's been on the field with Gibbs, but not Valakari. * While he's been on the field with Valakari, but not Gibbs * While he's been on the field with both Gibbs and Valakari. * While he's been on the field with neither.
Great info but do you realize when Behncke hasn't played Gibbs has played in that spot... so Gibbs must really suck huh.
Reyes Jolley Behncke with Gibbs out left? **** H! N! SEE-KAY! IN THE U. S. A.! do your records distinguish between Behncke, left back and Behncke, central defender? Good find there, Burnstats. ****just food for thought
do you have the stats for goals scored by the Burn with him on the field versus off the field? i agree with what you've written so far and i get the feeling that his +/- (to borrow from hockey) is a significant stat. there's more to it than just what you've written so far (who the opposition was, the other Burn players on the field, tactics used by both teams, environement, etc.) but if he's not a significant drag on the offense and he is a significant boost to the defense, then he needs to be on the field. you don't have to be a spectacular player to be a good or even great defender. solid is all you need.
Behncke needs to stay warming the bench. I would play Goodson ahead of him. Why he is still around, I have no idea. Then again he is a fresh body for USOC matches.
I'm not much for Behncke, but with the small field tomorrow I think I would start him over Gbandi. At least he hoofs it up the field and can win a lot of headers.