Liverpool have hit the post way more times than any Premier League rival over the past two seasons…
5) Chelsea – 31 times
Since the start of the 2011/12 season, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo, Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho have all managed the Blues, to varying levels of success. All have failed in the league however, and Mourinho has been brought in by Roman Abramovich to restore the Blues to their once dominant domestic status. Current strikers Demba Ba, Samuel Eto’o and Fernando Torres would rue the sight of one of their shots hitting the post, as not one of them have bagged a Premier League goal yet this season!
4) Manchester City – 39 times
City won the league in 2011/12, and finished runners-up last season to arch-rivals United. For the past few seasons they have had a wealth of shot hungry attackers such as Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko, and have now replaced those first two with Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic! No wonder they hit the post so often.
3) Manchester United – 43 times
Two time consecutive Golden Boot winner Robin Van Persie can be held responsible for a number of these 43 attempts, as the Dutchman hits the woodwork more than almost any other player! Last season United could get away with hitting the post, as they waltzed the league – but this season unlucky misses could well cost them the title, or even a top four place.
2) Fulham – 44 times
The Cottagers look they could be dragged into a relegation battle this term, and Martin Jol’s side will need to convert their long periods of possession at home into chances and goals. For the past two seasons though, Fulham have been one of the more watchable teams in the country, and their fluid style has resulted in them hitting the post 44 times.
1) Liverpool – 57 times
Is this the reason Liverpool have finished so low down the table in the past two seasons…? They’ve hit the woodwork a mammoth 57 times, ending up in 8th and 7th for the past two years. With the inform duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge destined to both break 20 goals this year, Brendan Rodgers’ side have a realistic chance of making the top four.
