The return of the SPAOTP All-Time Premier League Tables

Two years ago almost to the day, Some People Are On The Pitch produced a blog article which would prove to be one of its most popular ever. We're not entirely sure why, but we were glad it was seen by so many people as it took a long time to compile.

The article in question was called All-Time Premier League Tables and its content, like its premise, was fairly self-explanatory. Our aim was to add up the total number of points attained by every club ever to play in the Premier League and see who had done better than who.

But we went a bit further than that. We also tried to calculate which teams had scored and conceded the most goals and who had won the most points per match on average. The results proved quite interesting and were digested by many of you time and time again over the following couple of years.

Which brings us to the present day. We felt the time was now right to update the All-Time Premier League Tables we produced back in 2008 so you could see how things currently stood. Here below are the results of our hard work, the details of which are correct up to and including April 30 2010.

Our main table (see left - click to enlarge) shows the total number of points scored by anyone who's ever played in the English top flight. As we said two years ago, it goes without saying that the more seasons you play, the more points you're likely to pick up so don't think we're altogether surprised by many of these details.

That said, we can confirm that Man United continue to rule the roost with an increased lead over Arsenal of 180 points (it was 155) while Arsenal's lead over Chelsea is down from 66 points to 47 since 2008.

A little further down, Newcastle and Blackburn have slipped slightly (the former having the excuse of being relegated at the end of last season) while West Ham creep into the top 10 at the expense of Leeds United.

At the other end of the table, Burnley may not finish bottom of the Premier League in their first season, but they may be bottom of our table unless they can pick up three points from their remaining two games.

Our second table (see right) shows the average number of points won per game and here many of the teams will be in the same positions as in the previous table, albeit with a few exceptions.

Aston Villa are fifth in our 'total points' table, but in terms of 'points per match', they're less successful than Leeds and Newcastle. Just outside the top 10 are many teams who have long since been absent from the top flight but still retain their proud record from days gone by, namely QPR (11th), Sheffield Wednesday (12th) and Wimbledon (14th).

There's little change at the other end except for West Brom escaping the bottom three, but only by a single place.

Next up we can see who's scored the most goals in the Premier League (see left) and incredibly Manchester United have maintained their tremendous achievement of bagging nearly two goals every game. Once again, Newcastle's absence from the top flight allows Tottenham and Aston Villa to inch a little further up the table, the latter having only just overtaken Newcastle last Sunday.

At the foot of the 'goals scored table', Burnley are tied on 37 points with Barnsley but can leave The Tykes behind if they can find the net against either Birmingham (playing as this post's being written) or Tottenham next Sunday.

Finally, we take a look at the table showing who's conceded the most goals (see right) and still surprising everyone as they did two years ago are Tottenham. Spurs fans will be pleased to know that their propensity for leaking goals is getting better, but Everton fans be warned - your team's inching towards that top spot...

Also shipping goals more often since 2008 are West Ham who rise from 6th to 4th while Man City have also now entered the top 10 that no-one wants to be in.

Burnley and Stoke, two newcomers to the Premier League since we compiled our previous article, find themselves in the bottom three and providing they don't concede hat-fulls between now and next weekend, they should stay there.

We're sorry to say that the final word has to go to Swindon who, in terms of average goals conceded per game, remain the worst team in Premier League history with 2.381. Who knows, though - if Danny Wilson can guide his team through the League One play-offs, they might soon be back to set that record straight.

(As last time, we apologise in advance for any incorrect details shown in our tables. If we've missed any glaringly obvious mistakes, please get in touch and we'll correct them immediately. Thank you.)

Sound Of Football Episode 36 - Relegation, promotion, relegation again and survival

This week, Terry recounts the traumatic events at Selhurst Park on Monday as Crystal Palace battled to stay in the Championship, then we look at the prospects of the newly promoted clubs from the English second tier.

After that, the chaps look at the prospects for the clubs relegated from the Premier League before slagging off Gold and Sullivan, not for the first time it must be said.

You can listen to the podcast here or if you right-click on that link, you can download the MP3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via our iTunes feed.

The Friday List of Little or No Consequence #159

Hot shots
The 14 highest goal tallies for a single season by teams in England's top flight since World War II

1. 115 (Tottenham, 1960/61 (finished 1st))
2. 111 (Tottenham, 1962/63 (finished 2nd))
3. 110 (Wolves, 1958/59 (finished 1st))
4. 106 (Wolves, 1959/60 (finished 2nd))
5. 104 (Man City, 1957/58 (finished 5th))
6. 104 (Tottenham, 1956/57 (finished 2nd))
7. 103 (Wolves, 1960/61 (finished 3rd))
8. 103 (Man United, 1958/59 (finished 2nd))
9. 103 (Wolves, 1957/58 (finished 1st))
10. 103 (Man United, 1956/57 (finished 1st))
11. 102 (Burnley, 1960/61 (finished 4th))
12. 102 (Man United, 1959/60 (finished 7th))
13. 101 (Burnley, 1961/62 (finished 2nd))
14. 100 (Preston, 1957/58 (finished 2nd))

The highest number of goals scored in the Premier League is 97 by Man United in 1999/2000 (finished 1st). Chelsea have this season scored 84 goals with five games left to be played.

Sound Of Football Podcast 33: The Premier League

This week, the chaps return to English domestic matters and discuss the title challenge at the top of the Premier League before evaluating the tribulations of West Ham and setting up the Jimmy Bullard fan club.

We apologise for the poor sound quality on this week's edition.

You can listen to the podcast here or if you right click on that link, you can download the MP3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via our iTunes feed.

The Friday List of Little or No Consequence #157

Few and far between
The 9 Players Who Scored During The Premier League's Lowest Scoring Weekend Of November 24th/25th 2001

1. Les Ferdinand (for Tottenham v West Ham)
2. Thierry Henry (2 goals for Arsenal v Man United)
3. Emile Heskey (for Liverpool v Sunderland)
4. Hassan Kachloul (for Aston Villa v Leeds)
5. Freddie Ljungberg (for Arsenal v Man United)
6. Marian Pahars (for Southampton v Charlton)
7. Paul Scholes (for Man United v Arsenal)
8. Alan Shearer (for Newcastle v Derby)
9. Alan Smith (for Leeds v Aston Villa)

The weekend of November 24th and 25th saw only ten goals scored in the Premier League. The results were as follows:

Bolton 0 Fulham 0; Chelsea 0 Blackburn 0; Leicester 0 Everton 0; Newcastle 1 Derby 0; Southampton 1 Charlton 0; West Ham 0 Tottenham 1; Arsenal 3 Man United 1; Leeds 1 Aston Villa 1; Liverpool 1 Sunderland 0; Middlesbrough 0 Ipswich 0.

Sound of Football Episode 29 - Warnock, Terry, Bridge, Ramsey and Shawcross too

This week, The Sound of Football podcast looks at the wonderful and exciting world of the English Premier League.

Will Chelsea keep their challenge together in the face of their "well documented off-field problems"? Will Manchester United run out of steam? Can Arsenal take advantage of their moderately favourable run in to snatch the title?

All of these questions and stacks more are discussed in this week's Sound Of Football Podcast.

You can listen to the podcast here or if you right click on that link, you can download the MP3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via our iTunes feed.

Sound of Football Episode 28 - Premier League

This week, we look at the wonderful and exciting world of the English Premier League.

Will Chelsea keep their challenge together in the face of their "well documented off field problems"? Will Manchester United run out of steam? Can Arsenal take advantage of their moderately favourable run in to snatch the title?

All of these questions and stacks more will be discussed in this week's Sound Of Football Podcast.

You can listen to the podcast here or if you right click on that link, you can download the MP3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via our iTunes feed.

Sound of Football Episode 23 - Everton good, Liverpool bad, Robinho worse

Join us for another edition of the Sound Of Football podcast.

In this week's episode we heap praise on the blue of Chelsea and Everton. We heap scorn on Man United and Liverpool before pondering the merits of backing a dark horse in the Africa Cup Of Nations.

You can listen to the podcast here. Or if you right click on that link, you can download the MP3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via our iTunes feed.

The Friday List of Little or No Consequence #147

Don't call me 'Shorty'...
The 14 Tallest Goalkeepers In The Premier League*

1. Asmir Begovic (Portsmouth) 1.98m
2. Marton Fulop (Sunderland) 1.98m
3. Diego Penny (Burnley) 1.97m
4. Carlo Nash (Everton) 1.97m
5. Pascal Zuberbuhler (Fulham) 1.97m
6. Wojciech Szczęsny (Arsenal) 1.96m
7. Colin Doyle (Birmingham City) 1.96m
8. Petr Cech (Chelsea) 1.96m
9. John Ruddy (Everton) 1.96m
10. Matt Duke (Hull City) 1.96m
11. Stuart Taylor (Manchester City) 1.96m
12. David James (Portsmouth) 1.96m
13. Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City) 1.96m
14. Wayne Hennessey (Wolves) 1.96m

* as at January 15 2010.

Sound of Football Episode 22 - Premier League and the Africa Cup of Nations

This week's Sound of Football is a bumper edition featuring an examination of Birmingham City's unbeaten run, an assessment of Arsenal's championship credentials and an assassination of modern punditry.

We then turn our attentions to Angola and the opening games in the Africa Cup of Nations.

You can listen to the podcast here. Or if you right click on that link, you can download the MP3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via our iTunes feed.

The Christmas Day List of Little or No Consequence #145

Down with the Christmas decorations
The 18 Teams That Have Been Bottom Of The Premier League At Christmas

1. Nottingham Forest (1992–93, finished 22nd - relegated)
2. Swindon Town (1993–94, finished 22nd - relegated)
3. Ipswich Town (1994–95, finished 22nd - relegated)
4. Bolton Wanderers (1995–96, finished 20th - relegated)
5. Nottingham Forest (1996–97, finished 20th - relegated)
6. Barnsley (1997–98, finished 19th - relegated)
7. Nottingham Forest (1998–99, finished 20th - relegated)
8. Sheffield Wednesday (1999–2000, finished 19th - relegated)
9. Bradford City (2000–01, finished 20th - relegated)
10. Leicester City (2001–02, finished 20th - relegated)
11. West Ham United (2002–03, finished 18th - relegated)
12. Wolverhampton Wanderers (2003–04, finished 20th - relegated)
13. West Bromwich Albion (2004–05, finished 17th - stayed up)
14. Sunderland (2005–06, finished 20th - relegated)
15. Watford (2006–07, finished 20th - relegated)
16. Derby County (2007-08, finished 20th - relegated)
17. West Bromwich Albion (2008-09, finished 20th - relegated)
18. Portsmouth (2009-10, finished...?)

Sound Of Football Episode 19 - The Premier League and European competition

This week, Chris and Graham return their attention to the Premier League and discuss Arsenal's impressive away win at Anfield. The Chaps also run their eye over the runners and riders in England's top flight and ask if Chelsea's dip in form leaves the door open for the chasing pack.

Next up is the Europa League and the fellas assess the prospects of the final round of group stage fixtures.

You can listen by clicking here. Or if you right click on that link, you can download the MP3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via our iTunes feed.

Please leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You can do so on the comments section below or on our Facebook Fanpage.

Bonus related play

Now that we've all finished laughing up our sleeves at Wigan following their 9-1 defeat at Tottenham last weekend, it's about time we stoked the fires of the whole freakish affair once again. To do that, I relate to you an email I received from my SPAOTP co-founder Martin Lewis this week.

He confided in me that when his wife saw the 9-1 scoreline in favour of his beloved Spurs, she said "How many points do they get for that?" When he told her it was still the standard three, she was nothing if not a little disappointed. All faintly embarrassing for her, but I assured him his wife would be spared any further ridicule on account of my not telling anyone about it.

Here in the UK, of course, there are other sports that reward high-scoring teams with the handing out of extra points. Cricket's County Championship gives batting teams an extra bonus point if they accumulate 200 to 249 runs, two bonus points if they score 250 to 299 runs and so on up to a maximum five bonus points for teams that score 400 runs or more.

The aim, of course, is to encourage teams to play in an attacking way that, as a rather pleasing side-effect, is also more entertaining for the watching audience. The question is, could football accommodate a similar system?

They say there's nothing new under the sun, and indeed the 'bonus points in football' debate is not new either. Arsene Wenger is a regular advocate of such a system (as shown by his utterances in 2005 and early in 2009) but for all the rhetoric, would it really make much difference to anything?

As usual, SPAOTP wanted to find out by doing some research of its own, specifically so that you don't have to. So here's how we think it would work. On top of the usual points system (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, none for a defeat), extra bonus points would be awarded to all teams (regardless of whether they'd gained a win or not) using the following system:

0 to 2 goals scored = 0 bonus points awarded
3 to 5 goals scored = 1 bonus point awarded
6 to 8 goals scored = 2 bonus points awarded
9 goals or more scored = 3 bonus points awarded

So let's use an example to explain things more simply. If Portsmouth beat Manchester United 3-0 (hey, it could happen), Portsmouth would earn four points in total (3 + 1 bonus point) while Man United would earn no points (as is traditional). Additionally, if both teams drew 3-3, they'd get two points each (1 + 1 bonus point).

A system such as this is entirely open to debate, of course, but using this one would have had the following effect on last season's Premier League table (see left - click for larger version).

The first thing you notice is that Liverpool would have won the title by three clear points from Man United – primarily on the basis of being the most free-scoring team in the table. As you look further down, there's little change until you reach Man City who go up three places to 7th thanks to their nine bonus points.

In the middle order there's some minor shifting around but nothing to frighten the horses before you get to the bottom two where Middlesbrough have the honour of finishing bottom of the table, rather than West Brom. All rather academic considering both teams were relegated anyway.

And that's about it. Apart from the change in teams at the two extremes of the table, there's not a huge amount to discuss unless you analyse the money gained or lost from the Premier League on account of the new positions.

But what about this season and the aforementioned 9-1 win for Spurs? Would it have sent the North London club surging to top spot in the league? Well here's the Premier League table as it looked prior to today's matches but with the appropriate bonus points added on (see right).

As you can see, Spurs haven't budged an inch. In fact only three teams have moved more than a single place thus far in the season, although Arsenal deserve a special mention for having picked up 9 bonus points already. At this rate, they'll far exceed last season's total of 13.

Once again, Liverpool are one of the main beneficiaries of our bonus points system. They'd have started today in fifth place rather than seventh, but therein lies the quandary. Does a team that's lost five of its thirteen matches deserve to be fifth in the table – largely on the back of some high-scoring victories? To put it another way, can you defend the awarding of a point to a team that loses 5-3 (as Burnley did at West Ham today) alongside a team that draws 1-1?

When you weigh everything up on the evidence of the above, one is left with a single overriding thought. Yes, the bonus points system would almost certainly encourage more goal-scoring, but the effect of the extra points gained would change very little as far as the final table's concerned.

You, however, may feel differently about the matter, and if you do, we'd very much welcome your thoughts. Leave us a comment and tell us what you think.

Sound Of Football Episode 16 - World Cup Wigans

With Terry experiencing technical issues, it is left to Graham and Chris to struggle through this week's Sound Of Football podcast. Mercifully the wonderful world of football has thrown up plenty of talking points including Spurs thrashing of Wigan 9-1, Liverpool's impending Champions League exit/dramatic recovery and of course, there's that World Cup Qualifier to talk about... plus France v Ireland. Didn't see that coming did you?

You can listen by clicking here. Or if you right click on that link, you can download the MP3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via our iTunes feed.

Please leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You can do so on the comments section below or on our Facebook Fanpage.

Sound Of Football Podcast 13

Welcome aboard for another edition of the Sound Of Football Podcast. This week your master of ceremonies Chris Oakley, ably assisted by is ushers Graham Sibley and Terry Duffelen discuss the comings and goings (with the emphasis on the latter) in the world of football.

First up is beleaguered Hull City boss Phil Brown but unlike others the chaps aren't too quick to poke him with sharp sticks until he falls over the precipice. While we're at it, we also take a look at the bottom of the Premier League and wonder is Pompey's win against Wigan is the beginning of the turning of the corner.

After that we look ahead to this week's Champions and Europe League action and wonder if Rafa will survive Liverpool's trip to Lyon.

This week's show is a bit of a long one but does feature some comedy corpsing by Terry near the end plus a few coughs and sniffles. You can listen by clicking here. Or if you right click on that link, you can download the MP3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via our iTunes feed.

Please leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You can do so on the comments section below or on our Facebook Fanpage.

Sound Of Football Podcast 12

After last week's World Cup packed podcast, let us return to our own affairs and look back on an eventful weekend in the Premier League.

Chris and Graham reflect on their respective team's performance in the London derby twixt West Ham and Arsenal. Manchester City's credentials are examined further after an unconvincing 2-2 draw with Fulham and we celebrate the Liverpool v Manchester United Super Classico or at least the last half an hour or so.

Then we cast our eye over the draw for the first round of the FA Cup and have a good laugh at Leeds and Charlton.

You can listen to the podcast by clicking here. Or if you right click on that link, you can download the MP3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via our iTunes feed.

Please leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You can do so on the comments section below or on our Facebook Fanpage.

Sound Of Football Podcast 8

A little earlier than usual to accommodate the West Ham game tonight. This week we look back on the high scoring Premier League weekend and marvel at the exploits of Fernando Torres and Darren Bent.

We also take a moment to tip our hats to Wigan and their superb victory while wondering if Petr Cech was a shade unlucky to be sent off.

Then we look ahead to the Champions League and ask who exactly is playing Lyon in a couple of weeks time.

You can listen to the podcast by clicking here. Or if you right click on the link, you can download the mp3. Alternatively, you can subscribe via the your reader of choice or via iTunes.

The Sound Of Football Podcast 7

The Sound Of Football Podcast returns for another edition. This week Chris Oakley and Terry Duffelen discuss last Sunday's Manchester Derby at length. Topics of conversation range from the madness of Rio Ferdinand, the frailties of the Man City back four, the flawed genius of Craig Bellamy and time as a linear concept.

After that, the chaps have a quick chat about the bottom of the Premier League and wonder out loud as to whether all three promoted clubs might stay up this season.

Then we take a moment to reflect on the legacy of Sir Bobby Robson on the day of his Memorial Service at Durham Cathedral.

As always you can download or listen to the podcast via the SoundCloud widget below. Alternatively, you can subscribe via your reader of choice or via iTunes.
Sound Of Football Podcast 7 by soundoffootball

No place like home?

It's ironic that at a time when the 'grow your own' movement has never been more popular (at least amongst gardeners), the Premier League have decided to impose strict new rules on its clubs to ensure they, too, use home-grown produce. Sorry - 'talent'.

All very noble too, except when you look into the make-up of most Premier League clubs, you'll find they're already largely abiding by the rules anyway.

According to Premier League chief Richard Scudamore, all clubs from the 2010-11 season onwards should have at least eight 'home-grown' players in a squad of 25. And by 'home-grown', that means a player who, between the ages of 16 and 21, have been registered for at least three years with an English or Welsh club.

A big shift in the way Premier League teams will line up? Not necessarily. Here's how the Arsenal team would look using players that already fall into line with the new rules.

Many familiar names are present, so much so that you'd be hard pushed to notice any major difference with the teams Arsenal put out at present anyway.

So is this the latest example of the powers-that-be tinkering unnecessarily with the beautiful game, or is it the work of a bunch of visionaries?

Your thoughts, as ever, are most welcome...

The Friday List of Little or No Consequence #126

I was the first...
32 Players Who Scored The First Goal For Their Club In The Premier League

1. Steve Bould (for Arsenal v Norwich, 1992)
2. Dalian Atkinson (for Aston Villa v Ipswich, 1992)
3. Stern John (for Birmingham v Everton, 2002)
4. Stuart Ripley (for Blackburn v Crystal Palace, 1992)
5. Alan Thompson (for Bolton v Wimbledon, 1995)
6. Mick Harford (for Chelsea v Oldham, 1992)
7. Mark Bright (for Crystal Palace v Blackburn, 1992)
8. Dean Sturridge (for Derby v Leeds, 1996)
9. Barry Horne (for Everton v Sheffield Wednesday, 1992)
10. Louis Saha (for Fulham v Manchester United, 2001)
11. Geovanni (for Hull v Fulham, 2008)
12. Julian Joachim (for Leicester v Newcastle, 1994)
13. Lee Chapman (for Leeds v Wimbledon, 1992)
14. Mark Walters (for Liverpool v Sheffield United, 1992)
15. David White (for Manchester City v QPR, 1992)
16. Mark Hughes (for Manchester United v Sheffield United, 1992)
17. Peter Atherton (for Newcastle v Coventry, 1993)
18. Mark Robins (for Norwich v Arsenal, 1992)
19. Teddy Sheringham (for Nottingham Forest v Liverpool, 1992, and for Portsmouth v Aston Villa, 2003)
20. Andy Sinton (for QPR v Manchester City, 1992)
21. Dave Kitson (for Reading v Middlesbrough, 2006)
22. Nigel Pearson (for Sheffield Wednesday v Everton, 1992)
23. Brian Deane (for Sheffield United v Manchester United, 1992) *
24. Matt Le Tissier (for Southampton v QPR, 1992)
25. Ricardo Fuller (for Stoke v Bolton, 2008)
26. Michael Gray (for Sunderland v Nottingham Forest, 1996)
27. Gordon Durie (for Tottenham v Crystal Palace, 1992)
28. Lee Marshall (for West Bromwich Albion v Leeds, 2002)
29. Dale Gordon (for West Ham v Coventry, 1993)
30. Jason Roberts (for Wigan v Sunderland, 2005)
31. Warren Barton (for Wimbledon v Leeds, 1992)
32. Steffen Iversen (for Wolves v Blackburn, 2003)

* First ever Premier League goal scorer.