XG, the heated debate

 

XG, The heated debate

From the past few weeks, XG has been a topic of immense scrutiny and discussion amongst the FPL Managers. Statisticians and Analytics seem to be heavily backing the importance of XG in the game itself.

As a contrarian I attempt to simplify the concept and impact of XG in playing the game.

Firstly, we need to accept the fact that there are 5-6 FPL assets who are permanent in most serious FPL managers teams (Salah, TAA, Cancelo, Ramsdale, Chelsea Defender etc). Undoubtedly the XG of the said elite FPL assets are amongst the highest, but at the same time managers don’t even need to look at XG of such players as their total points and eye test and performances are enough. Further delving into stats and XG of these players is a statistical exercise to record their data.

While formulating a team, managers look at various aspects which include 1. Form 2. Fixtures 3. Points Scored. 4. Eye test. In case none of the aforesaid are enough for a manager to select an asset, then one can make a case for looking at XG/XA for selection. In all fairness, most teams are selected within the first 4 criteria’s.

One can use the example of any player to support a certain narrative. At the same time, we all know that the game is based on skill/ luck. Skill in terms of strategies/chips/hits. Adventurous managers go for hits and take more chances but historically successful managers tell you that hits should be at the minimum. Never have I heard a top class manager backing their selections on the basis of XG, rather their way of playing is more conservative in nature, sticking to a set of players and being patient throughout the season and making transfers  according to a long drawn strategy, even taking a hit here and there.

XG as a concept actually tells you the past performance of a player statistically which in most cases does not correspond to their points achieved. In my humble opinion, XG is a record keeping tool, a deeper one after the actual points scored by the player. As the game has been expanding every year, so are the players and their styles. Science is being attempted to apply on footballers and their future performances, which, to me is complete absurdity in fantasy premier league. Yellow Cards, Red Cards, VAR decisions, on field refereeing amongst other factors are completely ignored by proponents of XG/XA.

Conclusion- With the number of managers and love of the game, we like interacting on various aspects of the game itself. As is rightly said love is blind, So are the XG proponents.

 

 

Where are we heading? Just a thought

I was just wondering about how the world has been in the past 10 years, the prime time of my life- 19 years old to 29 years old. This is the time that shapes the personality in a persons life. Its a transition from the student life in college to a professional life and also probably a beginning of a new personal life in form of marriage and kids.

The road of a persons life is best described in the surroundings, individual and global. I have been surrounded by  variety of different emotions and paths relating to relationships, politics, religion, sport, work etc.  As Hegel, the great political scientist rightly said "thesis (the person), anti-thesis (surroundings)= synthesis (the final personality)" and therefore my personality is a mixture of all the above.

The world has undergone dramatic changes in all times in all spheres. For sure in the past 10 years or so, the change has been much wider in all spheres of life than in the past ages. Positive ones include, science and technology, health, communications, infrastructure etc. but the negatives have left a more prominent mark, wars, bloodshed, natural disasters, and unrest in all most all parts of the globe.

Such has been the impact of the past ten years, that people are becoming used to the worst of fears. I was standing with a couple of colleagues when a small blast happened outside high-court. A normal reaction to a person so close to the blast should be of fear and concern but I saw all colleagues around me and including me just ignoring the whole incident and moving on in a normal way. Luckily, we have not seen the violence which people of war ridden countries face in their day to day life, but at the same time our reactions are similar. Its a no care attitude. Inference is even if we dont experience the worst, its effect is similar. Is this attitude correct or shall we change.

and my answer is with Tupac:

I see no changes. Cant brother get a little peace

Theres war on the streets & the war in the middle east

Instead of war on poverty, they got a war on drugs so police can bother me.

And I aint ever did a crime, I aint have to do.

But now Im back with the facts giving em back to you.

Just a thought to ponder over!!!!!!

Corrupt India- a solution

One institution which demands respect for sure is the Judiciary at the highest level. I consider myself proud to be a lawyer for once....This sector seems genuine.

In the past few months, the country has seen a significant change......really influential and powerful people behind bars. Be it Kanimozhi (MP and daughter of former CM of  Tamil Nadu), Mr. Raja ( Former Cabinet Minister), Suresh Kalmadi (Politician and Senior Sports Administrator), Shahid Usman Balwa (Enterpreneur) etc., all of them involved in corruption of huge monies. These inmates of Tihar are worth the amount enough to wipe out the poverty in the whole country. Well done Judiciary.

But their arrests should not be viewed as a big success. There are many who are still at large due to their influence. There is a telecom scam and none of the Ambanis invloved, a shocker for me...Reliance telecom being one of the beneficiaries of the scam for sure and there are others as well. Is the country trying to save its face, by putting some behind bars and letting others scot free as the economy and share markets would plunge to depths if they are arrested. 

How many more scams to be unearthed.....I feel that in every sector, there is a scam. As it is said, those who get caught are thieves, others go free. Where does the solution lie. 

According to my limited understanding, one most important change required apart from honesty and integrity, is to make a qualification criteria to enter politics. Start from the scratch to unearth the wrong. Just cutting few branches wont help. The roots should be changed. I would love to see the educational report card of Ministers of all States.Are they worth it.

A passion to serve the country is replaced by serving ones pockets. This has to change. Educated people who are not just educated literally, but acquire a broad outlook towards welfare of the whole society are required to be in the ruling. 

The recent efforts for the Lok Pal bill is definitely a significant step. All in power are accountable to the country. The hope is that the steps taken play an effective role in curbing corruption. 

One question that always troubles me is the thought process of people in power and of those behind these large scale scams. How do they answer their conscience. Money has over powered them. Where is their dignity. I struggle for words.

At the same time, not to forget, the countries economy is growing, there is development. But what would be the pace of this growth minus the scams....I see India overcoming all major super powers, 1 big revolution....an introspection within...not only by politicians but the masses. I am sure...and I await the change.

Amazing India

Most memorable week in Indian modern history

World has witnessed. India has witnessed.

 The biggest extravaganza in the country after Asian Games of 1982, the build up was depressing, media proving to be the villain in the end, rains playing spoil sport giving sleepless nights to the organising people, but, we did it. Commonwealth Games opening ceremony has been a display of camaraderie, strong character, solidarity and cohesiveness showing the world that India has all it takes to be among the grandest in the world. A remarkable achievement.

Commonwealth initially believed by most to end up in a fiasco, is running in a smooth manner with no major hiccups. Let’s not get carried away. It has to be remembered that public money has been manipulated for the benefit of the few in charge and it is necessary that appropriate action be taken at the right time, once the games conclude. Judiciary, adopting a tremendously practical approach in the Masjid verdict is expected to follow the same path in dealing with people who have been accused of siphoning off public money to the tune of around 20,000 crores. Such is the value that if the same is used for providing basic food amenities to the needy, there would not be even a single person in the country who would sleep hungry.

Another thing which I found really impressive was the way our neighbour team was cheered at the opening ceremony. It is evident that we as Indians have grown out of the age old hatred prevailing in the masses since independence. All speaks about the way we are evolving, we might be in the process of westernising, but the basic core values of respecting humans above all regions and religions has got an impetus in the past few years which is evident in our behaviour, in our judicial rulings, in our day to day life and in our society.

The Babari verdict was one of the most widely anticipated in the history of this country. The impact of the ruling had the capability of not only causing grave unrest within the country but also would have proved to the detriment of its secular character. The judiciary prevailed in passing a judgment least expected. The after effects proved that the country has matured and the rule of law prevails.

The most dreaded enemy of India as a country has been communalism, with some organisations of the major factions acting as a catalyst in creating disturbances in the past years. The verdict is accepted by the masses, in its spirit, apart from a few. At the same time, as the experts have said, those behind the demolition of the masjid need to be countered effectively and brought to justice. Half job is done but as it is rightly said, the ends justify the means. If only the end is good is the ruling great.

 Critics have pointed out that the decision of the court is devoid of any legal aspect. Let us understand that the law is designed for security, safety and preserving integrity of the country. Merely following the sections of law sometimes is not practical in the interest of the nation, especially where the issue is so delicate.

The weeks had been one of the biggest achievements of independent India, job, well started. I hope it reaches the appropriate conclusions.

I request the media not to create any hindrances for now, let the country smile, its an achievement, lets not only criticise but respect and appreciate. And the cherry on the cake for this weekend is astounding display by the team India beating Australia in a nail biting finish.

Smile and hope for peace.

MUSLIMS AND THE WAR ON TERRORISM

I chose to write on this subject as the Global Political Scenario is significantly adopting a course where the experts are beginning to believe in a bi-polar world- Islamic and non-Islamic world. Times are gone where the world was seen to be divided between the east and west, north and south, developed and under developed. Today, world politics is seen to be assuming a structure of Islamic and non-Islamic world.




Be it America and allies in Afghanistan, American occupation of Iraq, Threat of an Indo-Pak conflict which is always regarded to be seen on the verge of the battle, battle of Hijab in France, Iran against the western world, or most importantly the old occupational conflict of the holy land between Israel and Palestine, though might be political but in a way takes a shape where these are given a form of Muslims against the non muslims.



Coming to the reason for this structure, many believe it’s the fundamentalist attitude of Muslims around the world and the imposing attitude of Muslim hardliners and the intolerance in the religion itself. A section of Muslims on the other hand believe that the atrocities committed on the Muslims by the western countries, especially the Israel Palestine issue, then killings in Afghanistan and Iraq. Iran in the midst of the above tries to represent the Muslim world taking on America head on. There are others who would term themselves as the moderate population of Muslims who are always confused about the whole scenario and they tend to suffer in their normal daily life, being looked at in suspicion and justifying their never ending struggle of being a section of good Muslims who completely denounce the idea of terrorism and are left with no option but to display their stand in public by clarifying their position.



To understand the reason of the prevailing structure, it is incumbent to understand the concept of Islam and its teachings. In terms of the terrorist activities it has to be made clear in the minds of people about the religion. So called terrorists who claim to be jihadis, who for me are neither terrorists nor-jihadis but a section of people who have just forgotten the purpose of their life as taught in Islam and are a group of maniacs. It is necessary to mention here that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said that killing a person amounts to killing the whole humanity. Who on earth can question that Islam is responsible for such acts. To get a solution to the prevailing problem of terror, the major powers of the world have to get one thing clear in their policies and agendas; they will have to separate Islam and Muslims from terrorism to fight the menace which has killed n numbers.



But as it is rightly said, u don’t throw stones on others if u live in glass houses. The American led war on terror will be completely ineffective until it stops its own acts of terror, which many term as organized terrorism killing innocent people, wiping out cities creating destruction much worst than the 9-11 attack. Only by beginning to solve the problem on their front will they be able to find a solution to terrorism. Counter terrorism gives birth to more terrorist s than present. It has to be understood that it’s a cycle which will lead to increase rather than end of so called terrorists.



Public opinion in the countries termed as havens of terrorism will have to change to effectively in order to fight terror. No matter how many bombs are dropped, how much technologically advanced are the countries fighting terror, but it will only lead to taking more innocent lives and the problem of terror will further rise. Here I would like to mention the role of media in the world. The so called war on terror can only be effectively fought with the support of the locals in terrorist ridden countries and for them to take the right course, it is necessary for the media to stress more on showing Islam as a peaceful religion and segregating the terrorist activities from the religion. Local Muslims see that war as a war on Islam when cities are wiped out and in their mind they justify supporting terrorism as for them the American led war kills their near ones.



At the same time I feel that a dialogue with these terrorists is out of question as their minds have been manipulated to a point from where there is no return. The role of Muslims plays an essential role at the initial stage. Proper education with regard to their religion combined with a peaceful Islam supportive role of media would according to me make a start which is the only way to change the unfortunate system across the globe. Lets make a start somewhere, rather lets make a right start now, as until present the actions against terror has further widened the think tank of Muslims and non Muslims around the globe. I would end by saying to all, let religion be a personal thing, let’s practice religion in the correct way, let’s be peaceful, let’s be tolerant, lets start respecting others religion and above all lets start respecting life.

BABRI MASJID –POLITICAL ISSUE IN INDIA

As I enjoyed my breakfast while reading the newspaper, suddenly an awkward feeling goes through me, intensity much lower than at the time of the incident but a remembrance of the unfortunate demolition of the masjid which lasted for some minutes but that also went away but posed many question in the mind.


The report submitted by 1 man commission took 17 years after 48 extensions of time for submission were granted. I wonder, why it took 17 long years to frame the names of the culprits. At the point of the incident, I was 11 years old and the very next day I knew that the incident was a design of leaders of some parties, names of which are not necessary now and were never necessary even at that point of time to be mentioned as it was crystal clear then and now as to who was behind it, but what amazes me is that it took 17 years for the commission to name them when an 11 year old boy knew it very well at the time of the incident. Here my idea is not to reflect on the role of the people responsible or what action is supposed to be taken against them, it is whether the public at large has been given justice.

For me the demolition did not finish with the masjid, the far reaching consequences of the demolition leading to the Godhra Carnage and communal tensions between masses in itself was a demolition to the country’s secular image and further a threat to the peace and security the nation, India. I write India as it is close to my heart and as an Indian I just simply think what kind of a system is prevailing where the experts and authorities fail not only to nab the culprits, but also prefer keeping quiet for 17 years and bringing up the issue only to sustain a political agenda irrespective of its effects on secular India. Also its amazing that the media gives the news of the report on the front pages and headlines, causing the revival of communal tensions. If someone gives me the opinion of law taking its own course and time, I say for me the objective of law is providing justice to people and most importantly maintaining the peace and security of nation, India. I would definitely give in to the theory of time taken by law and authorities, provided a solution is reached. I personally believe that the culprits will never be put to task and the only reason to raise the issue of demolition of the masjid will be as a weapon for political gains. It also crosses my mind that would the report had ever come out if the opposition was in power.



All said, as a true Indian I don’t lose hope that India will rise and the experts and the authorities of our system will act as I believe in the law of the country and the government we elect, but the million dollar question is, whether my hope will ever bear any fruits.