Naylor Among Cardiff City Elite - Statistically !

Cardiff City's talented frontman Jay Bothroyd made a storming start to this season by adding a ruthless goalscoring touch to his already impressive team contribution as a powerful yet skillful attacker, equally adept in the air or on the ground.

Despite recent injury problems, Bothroyd remains statistically the best player in the Championship- over the course of the season based on the Actim Index:

The Actim index compiles statistics from every Championship game using real-time match analysis conducted by ex-professional footballers at each match and post-match video analysis.

The statistics are derived from all the action that takes place during a match including goals, corners, shots, fouls, offsides, passes, saves, tackles and clearances. Actim then compile a list of the top 100 performing players for that week with each score added to player stats from previous matches and forming an aggregate ranking of every single Championship player.


However, a far more surprising inclusion in the list is Lee Naylor - soming in at number 26 and statistically the second best Cardiff City performer this season!!! That figure is undoubtedly boosted by his goals, a freak effort against Leicester and a thumping drive at Leeds Utd.

Nevertheless, Naylor has been somewhat of a disappointment for the Bluebirds since moving on a free transfer from Celtic. At times, he has looked solid defensively and a useful attacking outlet on the left. However, he has remained inconsistent and made plenty of mistakes. A misjudged tackle allowed Adel Taarabt to sneak a winner at QPR while Naylor was targetted by Watford and Bristol City with Will Buckley and Albert Adomah both making a mockery of the former Wolves man.

For me, Naylor has been lucky to retain his place but looks good on occasions. He must work harder to cut out crosses, and make it more difficult for opposition wingers to beat him but the statistics suggest he is an important member of the squad.

Naylor has been ever present of late, helping the Bluebirds beat Leeds and gain a creditable draw away at Stoke City. He was unlucky to see a deflected effort allow Martin to net an injury time leveller off his body for Norwich City last weekend.

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