Cardiff School of Sport DISSERTATION ASSESSMENT PROFORMA: Empirical 1 Student name: Jake Fairhurst Student ID: St20034110 Programme: SPE Dissertation title: An analysis and comparison of possessions between a top, middle and bottom placed team in the Barclays Premier League. Supervisor: Adam Cullinane Comments Section Title and Abstract (5%) Title to include: A concise indication of the research question/problem. Abstract to include: A concise summary of the empirical study undertaken. Introduction and literature review (25%) To include: outline of context (theoretical/conceptual/applied) for the question; analysis of findings of previous related research including gaps in the literature and relevant contributions; logical flow to, and clear presentation of the research problem/ question; an indication of any research expectations, (i.e., hypotheses if applicable). Methods and Research Design (15%) To include: details of the research design and justification for the methods applied; participant details; comprehensive replicable protocol. Results and Analysis (15%) 2 To include: description and justification of data treatment/ data analysis procedures; appropriate presentation of analysed data within text and in tables or figures; description of critical findings. Discussion and Conclusions (30%) 2 To include: collation of information and ideas and evaluation of those ideas relative to the extant literature/concept/theory and research question/problem; adoption of a personal position on the study by linking and combining different elements of the data reported; discussion of the real-life impact of your research findings for coaches and/or practitioners (i.e. practical implications); discussion of the limitations and a critical reflection of the approach/process adopted; and indication of potential improvements and future developments building on the study; and a conclusion which summarises the relationship between the research question and the major findings. 1 This form should be used for both quantitative and qualitative dissertations. The descriptors associated with both quantitative and qualitative dissertations should be referred to by both students and markers. 2 There is scope within qualitative dissertations for the RESULTS and DISCUSSION sections to be presented as a combined section followed by an appropriate CONCLUSION. The mark distribution and criteria across these two sections should be aggregated in those circumstances. Presentation (10%) To include: academic writing style; depth, scope and accuracy of referencing in the text and final reference list; clarity in organisation, formatting and visual presentation Cardiff Metropolitan University Prifysgol Fetropolitan Caerdydd Certificate of student By submitting this document, I certify that the whole of this work is the result of my individual effort, that all quotations from books and journals have been acknowledged, and that the word count given below is a true and accurate record of the words contained (omitting contents pages, acknowledgements, indices, tables, figures, plates, reference list and appendices). I further certify that the work was either deemed to not need ethical approval or was entirely within the ethical approval granted under the code entered below. Ethical approval code: _______exempt______________ (enter code or 'exempt') Word count: 8,885 Name: Jake Fairhurst Date: 19/03/2015 Certificate of Dissertation Supervisor responsible I am satisfied that this work is the result of the student’s own effort and was either deemed to not need ethical approval (as indicated by 'exempt' above) or was entirely within the ethical approval granted under the code entered above. I have received dissertation verification information from this student Name: Jake Fairhurst Date: 19/03/2015 Notes: The University owns the right to reprint all or part of this document. CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY Prifysgol Fetropolitan Caerdydd CARDIFF SCHOOL OF SPORT DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION 2014-5 An analysis and comparison of possessions between a top, middle and bottom placed team in the Barclays Premier League. Performance Analysis Jake Fairhurst St20034110 Table of Contents Page No: Acknowledgments 1 Abstract 1 CHAPTER ONE: Introduction 2 1.1 Association Football 3 1.2 Principles of Play 3 1.3 Barclays Premier League 3 1.4 Hypotheses 3 CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review 4 2.1 Performance Analysis in Football 5 2.2 Match Analysis 6 2.3 Feedback 6 2.4 Hand Notation vs. Computerised Notation Analysis 7 2.5 Operational Definitions 8 2.6 Validity and Reliability 9 2.7 Performance Indicators 9 2.8 Attacking Styles of Play 10 2.9 Rational for the Study 11 2.10 Aim of the Study 13 CHAPTER THREE: Methods 14 3.1 Computerised Notation System 15 3.2 Equipment 15 3.3 Data Collection and Sample 16 3.4 Operational Definitions 17 3.5 System Design 22 3.6 Procedure 25 3.7 Pilot Study and Reliability Testing 25 3.8 Data Processing and Analysis 29 CHAPTER FOUR: Results 30 4.1 Breakdown of Possessions 31 4.2 Origins of Possessions (General) 32 4.3 Origins of Possessions (Specific) 35 4.4 Possession Types 36 4.5 Possession Ends 37 4.6 Breakdown of Outcomes and AoT Ratio 38 CHAPTER FIVE: Discussion 40 5.1 Introduction 41 5.2 Discussion of Findings 41 5.2.1 Breakdown of Possessions 41 5.2.2 Origins of Possessions (General) 42 5.2.3 Origins of Possessions (Specific) 43 5.2.4 Possession Types 44 5.2.5 Possession Ends 45 5.2.6 Breakdown of Outcomes and AoT Ratio 46 5.3 Implications of Findings 47 CHAPTER 6: Conclusion 48 6.1 Sample Issues 49 6.2 Conclusions of the Study 49 6.3 Recommendations for Future Research 50 REFERENCES 51 Page No: Appendices 56 Appendix A: Reliability tests (Kappa Statistic). List of Tables Page No: Table 1. Matches used for match analysis. 16 Table 2. Operational Definitions. 17 Table 3. Mean numbers of possessions and overall percentage breakdown of 35 possessions originating in each specific zone. Table 4. Mean breakdown of outcomes per game for all three teams. 38 List of figures Page No: Figure 1. Stuidiocode coding template. 24 Figure 2. Chain of notation. 27 Figure 3. Reliability of recorded data. 28 Figure 4. Mean number of possessions (±sd) per game for each team. 31 Figure 5. Percentage breakdown of overall positive/negative outcomes. 31 Figure 6. Mean number of possessions (±sd) and percentage breakdown 32 of possession origins. Figure 7. Positive and negative outcomes from Defensive Zone. 33 Figure 8. Positive and negative outcomes from Pre Attacking Zone. 33 Figure 9. Positive and negative outcomes from Attacking Zone. 34 Figure 10. Pitch illustration to support table. 35 Figure 11. Percentage breakdown of possession types per game for each 36 of the three teams. Figure 12. Percentage breakdown of where possessions ended per game 37 for all three teams. Figure 13. Mean attempts at goal per game and AoT ratio. 39 Acknowledgments I would like to thank Adam Cullinane for his time and assistance throughout the dissertation process. Abstract The aim of the study was to compare and analyse possessions between a top, middle and bottom placed team in the Barclays Premier League to assess any differences in style of play. Post-match analysis of 18 matches involving Manchester City, Newcastle United and Cardiff City was carried out on the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season, using Studiocode to code every possession for each team within the 6 matches. Kappa reliability tests were conducted to the system which calculated a good strength of agreement. From the research study the following findings were found, Manchester City on average had the highest amount of possessions per game, they were the best at converting possessions they had from the defensive zone into positive outcomes, and Manchester City typically looked to play the ball in behind the most. Cardiff City on average looked to play the ball long the most, they scored the least goals and possessed the worst positive to negative ratio regarding outcomes. Finally regarding Newcastle United, looked to cross the ball and knock the ball long more frequently than Manchester City, had the greatest amount of possessions originate in the defensive zones and possessed the best AoT ratio. Implications of findings were identified relative to, informing team selections and coaching sessions and understanding differences in style of play between a top, middle and bottom placed team. 1 CHAPTER ONE Introduction 2 1.1 Association Football The most important date in relation to the game football we know and love today is the 26th of October 1863, which is widely understood to be the day that the Football Association was created and the modern game played today was born (Slade, 2013). Association football refers to a sport which has two teams with 11 players with the main aim of each team trying to score more goals than the other in order to win, in order to score a team needs possession of the ball, further highlighting that scoring is a direct result of attacking play (James, Jones & Mellalieu 2004). 1.2 Principles of Play Wade (1996) suggested principles of play in which he notes that in order to be successful in football in terms of attacking and defending these principles should be employed. Attacking principles include, width, improvisation, mobility, penetration and support. Defensive principles referred to, delay, concentration, balance and control, with depth sitting under both elements of play. 1.3 Barclays Premier League The Barclays Premier League is a professional football