The latest Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk football over food. 

The football: Why do so many fans seem so miserable? The team wonders if it's sometimes easier to complain, and if wanting to be right can mean a supporter prefers his club to fail. 

The food: chorizo and pepper omelette from Steve, and glamorous liqueur chocolates from South Africa (well, Joburg airport duty free) from the returning Hugh.

We also reflect on what gives you joy in football, so keep the correspondence coming in: 
@setpiecemenu
setpiecemenu@gmail.com 

Thanks for all your support, next week we celebrate our one year anniversary!!!

SPM 52: Why do so many fans seem so miserable?

The football: We apply the 'Peter Parker Principle' to football statistics, asking if the growing power of data should be wielded in a more responsible way. Can a player's performance be measured by anything other than measurable metrics, and if not, how can there still be room for artistry, and other more intangible, non-data-driven elements of the game?

The food: We are asking for your suggestions of local food banks that you'd like us to mention, as while we're unable to eat together, some are finding it hard to eat at all, and we'd like you to use us to promote a local cause that's doing work you admire. Let us know at setpiecemenu@gmail.com

And we have another listener soccer story, so send us yours and we could be reading it out on a future show!

SPM 217: Statistics have growing power, but are we using them responsibly?

This is Set Piece Menu - the podcast where four friends talk about football over food. They are together a writer, a commentator, a presenter and a pundit. Rory Smith is the Chief Soccer Correspondent of the New York Times, Steven Wyeth commentates for BT Sport and the BBC's Match Of The Day, Hugh Ferris is a presenter at BBC Sport, and Andy Hinchcliffe is a former England international (seven caps) who is now a pundit for Sky Sports. On each episode they discuss one footballing issue, while digesting a delicious lunch or brunch, and almost never reaching any sort of conclusion.

SPM 217: Statistics have growing power, but are we using them responsibly?

SET PIECE MENU FOOTBALL PODCAST

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