A LOT of interesting stats making Roy Hodgson look a right mug for his England squad selection

The game's not won on paper and all that.

Stats don't tell you the real story. They don't paint a full picture. They don't get the feel for the game that an experienced pro can. Stats can be manipulated until you get the angle you're looking for. They don't consider squad dynamics, opponents, "other aspects" of the game. However, for poor Roy Hodgson, stats are what are being used to lambaste his England squad selection. Despite picking a fresh-looking 26-man provisional panel ahead of Euro 2016, the manager is being ridiculed for his omissions - the same players he would've been ridiculed for including. It's certainly not a horrible collection of players and it boasts the kind of freshness and edginess that the English public have been crying for for years. They were fed up seeing the like of Theo Walcott take other people's places automatically. Now they're fed up seeing other people take Theo Walcott's place. And Mark Noble's of course. But there are stats to back up the grievances. There are always stats. Mark Noble Via Squawka. https://twitter.com/WestHam_Central/status/732184894013497344 https://twitter.com/WestHam_Central/status/732185961216512002 Theo Walcott https://twitter.com/BBCSporf/status/732167459751526401 Jermain Defoe https://twitter.com/SunderlandStats/status/732175627244163073 Michail Antonio https://twitter.com/WestHam_Central/status/732151035893063680 Of course, there were plenty of other gripes too. Martyn Waghorn? Rangers' finest. https://twitter.com/RangersCulture/status/732149568574492672 Jonathan Grounds? Birmingham agenda. https://twitter.com/DavoBirmingham/status/732171190006075392 Lewis Cook? No love for Leeds. https://twitter.com/LeedsUtdPics/status/732149360461529088 Wes Morgan? Jamaica shamaica. https://twitter.com/Joe_Clarky/status/732148741113778176 Gareth Bale? https://twitter.com/_DanielBarfield/status/732149162486140928 Riyad Mahrez? Can't even fit the PFA Player of the Year in. https://twitter.com/_CiaranKelleher/status/732149190890000384 Roy got close enough with his stats in fairness.