Finding the best strikers in League One for the 2022/23 campaign – data analysis

Club football is back, and with it, the excitement shared by fans of all clubs that this year could be their year. While many may argue that leagues such as the Premier League are predictable in terms of who wins the title as lately it is usually either Manchester City or Liverpool, EFL League One is far from predictable and is extremely difficult to earn promotion from.

One thing that gives any side a huge helping hand, though, is the presence of a striker who can contribute with goals throughout the season as well as help out in build-up play. Wigan Athletics Will Keane and Sunderlands Ross Stewart shared the golden boot accolade in League One last season, both grabbing 26 league goals each.

Historically, there are usually a select number of names you would predict to hit decent numbers within the scoring charts but there are also some fresh names that enter the fold as the season progresses. This data analysis aims to see which strikers in League One could be the difference for their respective clubs this season as it compares the 2021/22 statistics of 24 strikers – one from each club, with an analysis of several key areas for an attacker.

Criteria

This data analysis looks to identify the strikers in League One that could be dangerous this season, so while some clubs may have seen a midfielder win their golden boot award, they will not be included in this report. We have included players who are listed primarily as a striker over at the Transfermarkt website – this also means that some players who are listed as wingers/midfielders on there will miss out, even if they have featured as a striker on occasion. The data used will be from the 2021/22 season – all competitions included.

The strikers selected for this data analysis all fall under the same bracket – they were all the top scorers in the previous campaign for the club they are playing at this season. This, of course, means that some players involved may have been at a different club last season but still scored more goals than any striker at their new club. For example, James Norwood will be playing for Barnsley this season. He scored seven goals last season for Ipswich Town in all competitions, and while he wasn’t their top scorer in 2021/22, he scored more goals in that campaign that any striker currently in the Barnsley squad.

There are, however, two exceptions to that rule. Due to unavailable data and statistics, the qualifying strikers at Accrington Stanley and Fleetwood Town are not included in the graphs, but they will be discussed in certain parts of the report.

Pure attacking contributions

It makes sense to look at the statistical data that relates to the business end of being a striker – scoring goals, shooting, and assisting goals. It goes without saying, any striker worth their salt obviously chips in with a good number of goals, but they should also show range in their attacking play, regardless of their style. The analysis segments below will provide statistics from all 22 players in the relevant key areas.

This first graph serves two purposes – it introduces each player that is to be involved in this data analysis report while giving you an overall impression of their goalscoring ability, as they are the top scorers from last season at their current clubs. As mentioned in the introduction, data from cup competitions is also included as they still provide a test for strikers. Straight away, you’ll realise a number of players who struggled and registered low numbers, and a batch of strikers who look clinical.

Players like Alfie May (Cheltenham), Mathew Stevens (Forest Green Rovers) both severely impress with a total of 27 goals each – Cole Stockton would’ve been happy with his total of 26 goals too. Michael Smith (24), Matty Taylor (22), Sam Smith (21), Aaron Collins, Jayden Stockley, and Ryan Hardie (all 20) also had extremely positive seasons too while being a constant threat at goal. There is a small group that will look to build on a good goals record too – players like Sam Vokes, Daniel Udoh, Colby Bishop, and Freddie Ladapo to name a few could be instrumental to their respective teams seasons.

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