Today I look at the importance of numbers in modern. Are they as useful as we think? What are the potential issues. Are we missing sight of what the game is actually about?

I look at defensive numbers, and why it's unwise to focus too much on them. I look at how the current obsession with goals and assists has discredited some of the game's best attacking players. And I look at xG. What is it? What do we use it? Can be problematic?