Finding the best wide players in EFL League Two – data analysis

Wingers can often be the difference maker for clubs in varying scenarios, from battling relegation to challenging for titles. Styles of play vary – we have the tricky, skilful winger who uses flair as the centre of their game; classic, traditional wingers who look to run with the ball before whipping a cross in, and players who operate slightly deeper – a wide playmaker essentially. Scoring goals, creating goals, link-up play, accelerating build-up phases, and more, the winger position is often one that brings a lot of hope and excitement to fans.

The EFL League Two has a host of talented players throughout the division, in all positions. In this article, we are putting a microscope on its wide players. In this data analysis, we will use various statistics to provide an in-depth analysis of a range of wide players from League Two.

The data in question will analyse areas such as dribbling, passing, goal involvements, and more, and will include one player from each of the 24 League Two clubs. Wide players have been hand-picked with minutes played and assists being the main considered factors – we have basically tried to select the best wide player from each club. In some cases, we have had to improvise and use wing-backs for teams that deploy a formation that only has wide players coming from full/wing-back – like 5-3-2 for example. We will be using data from the 2022/23 EFL League Two only.

Goal involvements

Whether or not wingers/wide midfielders are considered depends on the system and shape deployed by their club, but they are still judged on their goal involvements – if a wide player fails to contribute with goals or assists, questions are quickly asked of them. This segment will look at the assists and goals for each player so far this season.

Immediately, one name jumps out with an impressive eight assists to his name already, and this is Ben Whitfield of Barrow, who have enjoyed a successful start to the season which leaves them in 5^th place, scoring 24 goals. It is quite remarkable for one player to have created a third of their team’s goals.

Jordan Gibson of Carlisle has also impressed in this area, racking up six league assists at the time of writing, helping his team put themselves in the playoff picture. Mitch Pinnock of Northampton Town has a respectable tally of four assists and will certainly back himself to continue to increase that number.