Series 87 Player Analysis and Discussion Thread

[Andres Sanchez]

Hey guys, gonna leave this up but felt it was time to put up my Sheet for the Series 87 finalists. Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing

If Tom's looking, def post those biyearly stats still! For now I'll leave these here. Enjoy!

[Tom S]

Wasn't planning to, but this will be the last time that I do the stats as I have done for previous series', so happy to pass the baton onto someone else. Many thanks Andres for your stats doc, which will come in very handy for me!

Starting with Ronan Higginson:

Seed: 1
Wins: 8
Points: 1041 (130.1 per game)
Total Maxes: 96/120 (80%)

Letters Maxes: 59/80 (73.8%)
Badged Words:(7+ length maxes not previously submitted as a max by a contestant on Countdown before at time of broadcast): 9
Medalled Words (7+ length maxes not previously submitted as a max by a contestant or DC on CD before at time of broadcast): 15
Badged:Poufiest, Megahit, Thesauri, Nodulate, Reinsure, Resistant, Intriguer, Nucleate, Boatage, Niftier
Medalled:Reposting (joint medal with opponent), Hotness, Gapeworm, Unquote, Neoterist, Pierages, Aragonite, Inutile, Steamies, Osetrova, Henware, Becomes (!), Rituality, Ambrosian, Alpenrose

Numbers Maxes: 30/32 (93.8%)
6S: 1/1 (100%)
1L: 18/20 (90%)
2L: 5/5 (100%)
3L: 1/1 (100%)
4L: 5/5 (100%)

Conundrum Maxes: 7/8 (87.5%)
7 Solved, 0 Lost, 1 Unsolved

A really impressive set of stats from Ronan here- especially in the numbers department. Not sure if anyone has had such a high percentage? But, of the 4 1000 club members before him, 2 won their series, and 2 didn't. It will be interesting to see the ratio after these finals!

[Tom S]

Cillian McMulkin:

Seed: 2
Wins: 8
Points: 944 (118 per game)
Total Maxes: 90/120 (75%)

Letters Maxes: 58/80 (72.5%)
Badged Words: 4
Medalled Words: 13
B:Unprime, Spoliate, Geomatic, Emanated,
M:Orarions, Marigot, Oleasters, Prodelta, Rosacean, Sosatie, Carbonite, Maligners, Neatrup, Aerotows, Stifling, Subalpine, Ordinars

Numbers Maxes: 25/32 (78.1%)
6S: 3/6 (50%)
1L: 14/17 (82.4%)
2L: 4/5 (80%)
3L: 4/4 (100%)
4L: N/A

Conundrum Maxes: 7/8 (87.5%)
7 Solved, 1 Lost, 1 Unsolved

Despite having had more total maxes in his prelims than the previous 2 series champions, Cillian has to settle for 2nd seed. Nevertheless, although many may favour Ronan to take the trophy, Cillian is effectively equal with Ronan for both letters and conundrums maxes, with Ronan having an advantage on the numbers. Nevertheless, Cillian's numbers' stats are far from shabby, and he is the current high scorer in a game, so a potential final with the 1st and 2nd seed will make for very interesting viewing!

[Tom S]

Peter Burke:

Seed: 3
Wins: 7
Points: 705 (88.1 per game)
Total Maxes: 43/120 (35.8%)

Letters Maxes: 26/80 (32.5%)
Badged Words: 5
Medalled Words: 3
B: Goatlike, Rereads, Regality, Talkier, Adrenals
M:Pastorage, Permeate, Bloomers (joint medal with opponent)

Numbers Maxes: 14/32 (43.8%)
6S: 6/14 (42.9%)
1L: 6/13 (46.1%)
2L: 1/1 (100%)
3L: 0/2
4L: 1/2 (50%)

Conundrum Maxes: 3/8 (37.5%)
3 Solved, 2 Lost, 3 Unsolved

The resident 6 small picker of this series, Peter has undoubtedly demonstrated his numerical capabilities with some lovely solves. However, difficult targets can be yielded with 6 small selections, which is probably why his number max tally is not a fair reflection of his ability. He has also had some lovely letters spots, too, so has definitely shown his skill during his run. However, he'll play number 6 seed Greg Pearce, who does have a higher average score than him, so it will be interesting to see how it fares. Nonetheless, I hope that Peter gets a result he's happy with, due to the part he played in Series 86!

[Steve Hyde]

A really impressive set of stats from Ronan here- especially in the numbers department. Not sure if anyone has had such a high percentage?

Elliott Mellor maxed 31/32 numbers games and scored 7 points for one away on the other

[Tom S]

A really impressive set of stats from Ronan here- especially in the numbers department. Not sure if anyone has had such a high percentage?

Elliott Mellor maxed 31/32 numbers games and scored 7 points for one away on the other

Thanks! Elliott's stats crossed my mind, but I was too lazy to double check

[Steve Hyde]

M:Orarions, Marigot, Oleasters, Prodelta, Rosacean, Sosatie, Carbonite, Maligners, Neatrup, Aerotows, Stifling, Subalpine, Ordinars

Interestingly, to me at least, the medalled CARBONITE has been submitted by a contestant before - way back in 1987, before it was part of the dictionary used for adjudication

[Gavin Chipper]

M:Orarions, Marigot, Oleasters, Prodelta, Rosacean, Sosatie, Carbonite, Maligners, Neatrup, Aerotows, Stifling, Subalpine, Ordinars

Interestingly, to me at least, the medalled CARBONITE has been submitted by a contestant before - way back in 1987, before it was part of the dictionary used for adjudication

Yes, that is interesting. Looking at the game, if it had been in (and all other things being equal), Frank Houston would have made the series final against Nic Brown.

[Tom S]

Graham Moonie-Dalton

Seed: 4
Wins: 7
Points: 680 (85 per game)
Total Maxes: 42/120 (35%)

Letters Maxes: 20/80 (25%)
Badged Words: 3
Medalled Words: 3
B:Unrusted, Curlews, Trebling
M:Unbuilt, Grainier (joint medal with opponent), Pocketer (joint medal with opponent)

Numbers Maxes: 18/32 (56.3%)
6S: 0/1
1L: 6/9 (66.7%)
2L: 7/14 (50%)
3L: 5/7 (71.4%)
4L: 0/1

Conundrum Maxes: 4/8 (50%)
4 Solved, 1 Lost, 3 Unsolved

The last player to make the finals this series, Graham had to see off tough competition in the form of Adam Dexter in his first show. From there, he avoided a crucial conundrum, but still had some close runs. Graham had some lovely letters spots during his run, and showed his adeptness at 3 large in the numbers rounds, which may well be useful for the finals.

[Tom S]

Adam Dexter

Seed: 5
Wins: 6
Points: 698 (99.7 per game)
Total Maxes: 47/105 (44.7%)

Letters Maxes: 28/70 (40%)
Badged Words: 2
Medalled Words: 4
B:Routiner, Steeping
M: Moganite, Crustier, Updation, Laicises

Numbers Maxes: 16/28 (57.1%)
6S: 2/6 (33.3%)
1L: 9/10 (90%)
2L: 3/6 (50%)
3L: 1/2 (50%)
4L: 1/4 (25%)

Conundrums: 3/7 (42.8%)
3 Solved, 2 Lost, 2 Unsolved

Despite having a higher total than Graham with 1 less game played, Adam is the #5 seed. He demonstrated form across the letters and numbers with some very nice spots, and would have been an octochamp against 99% of players. Nevertheless, being a lower seed does have its advantages, because Adam is technically positioned as the underdog, which may help with the pressure of facing Graham agains. However, Graham's conundrum stats are better than Adam's, so Adam may hope to avoid a crucial. As someone local to Kidderminster, I'll be rooting for you Adam in the finals- good luck!

[Adam S Latchford]

Weird weird series, both seems like it's been really strong and really weak.

Regardless, very solid line up for the finals - Ronan Cillian final looks likely but you absolutely never know. Think all of the quarters that ronan isn't involved in aren't completely obvious to call a winner in

[Tom S]

Greg Pearce

Seed: 6
Wins 6
Points: 680 (97.1 per game)
Total Maxes: 52/105 (49.5%)

Letters Maxes: 31/70 (44.3%)
Badged Words: 3
Medalled Words: 1
B: Starriest, Resulting, Skimped
M: Swanking (with opponent),

Numbers Maxes: 17/28 (60.7%)
6S: N/A
1L: 11/19 (57.9%)
2L: 6/7 (85.7%)
3L: 0/1
4L: 0/1

Conundrum Maxes: 4/7 (57.1%)
4 Solved, 2 Lost, 1 Unsolved

One of my favourite players from this series, Greg is the seeded 6th for the finals. However, his stats better the 3rd, 4th and 5th seed in every department, which means that statistically speaking, a seeding upset is on the cards. However, Greg has not been tested with 6 smalls in his games, whereas Peter is a dab hand at them, so I think if anything will make the difference, then it could well be the numbers.

[Tom S]

Dave Cappleman

Seed: 7
Wins: 6
Points: 621 (88.7 per game)
Total Maxes: 37/105 (35.2%)

Letters Maxes: 18/70 (25.7%)
Badged Words: 2
Medalled Words: 4
B: Annotate, Castling
M: Worsened (with opponent), Outspent, Pressman, Newness (with opponent)

Numbers Maxes: 17/28 (60.7%)
6S: 0/1
1L: 8/10 (80%)
2L: 7/13 (53.8%)
3L: 2/4 (50%)
4L: 0/1

Conundrum Maxes: 2/7 (28.6%)
2 Solved, 2 Lost, 3 Unsolved

Dave is continuing the Cappleman success by reaching the finals. He's had some nice letters spots on the show, and some centuries to boot, too. He has the unenviable task of facing Cillian in his QF, but reckon that he will give Cillian a run for his money.

[Tom S]

Andrew Barrett

Seed: 8
Wins: 6
Points: 573 (81.9 per game)
Total Maxes: 40/105 (38.1%)

Letters Maxes: 27/70 (38.5%)
Badged Words: 3
Medalled Words: 3
B: Surgeons, Earhole, Ageists
M:Whispered (with opponent), Nuggets, Scarring (with opponent)

Numbers Maxes: 11/28 (39.3%)
6S: 0/1
1L: 2/4 (50%)
2L: 9/22 (40.9%)
3L: 0/1
4L: N/A

Conundrum Maxes: 2/7 (28.6%)
2 Solved, 2 Lost, 3 Unsolved

Andrew's letters stats are amongst the best in the series, despite being seeded 8th. He's had some nice spots during his run, including 2 nines, so could well take a letters round off Ronan if he is caught off-guard.

[Tom S]

Rankings

Letters Maxes:
1.Ronan- 73.8%
2.Cillian- 72.5%
3. Greg- 44.3%
4. Adam- 40%
5. Andrew-38.5%
6. Peter- 32.5%
7. Dave- 25.7%
8. Graham- 25%

Numbers Maxes:
1. Ronan- 93.8%
2. Cillian- 78.1%
=3. Greg + Dave- 60.7%
5. Adam- 57.1%
6. Graham- 56.3%
7. Peter- 43.8%
8. Andrew- 39.3%

Conundrum Maxes:
1. Cillian- 87.5% (tie-break average time of 2.4 secs)
2. Ronan- 87.5% (tie-break average time of 5.1 secs)
3. Greg- 57.1%
4. Graham- 50%
5. Adam- 42.8%
6. Peter- 37.5%
7. Andrew- 28.6% (tie-break average time of 3.5 secs)
8. Dave- 28.6% (tie-break average time of 10.4 secs)

Overall Maxes:
1. Ronan- 93.7%
2. Cillian- 86.1%
3. Greg- 75.4%
4. Adam- 73.1%
5. Peter- 66.3%
6. Dave- 65%
7. Graham- 63.2%
8. Andrew- 60.6%

[Gavin Chipper]

How come people's overall maxes are higher than their maxes in all the round types? Is overall maxes based on percentage of the max score and the others based on percentage of rounds maxed?

Nice work, anyway!

[Tom S]

How come people's overall maxes are higher than their maxes in all the round types? Is overall maxes based on percentage of the max score and the others based on percentage of rounds maxed?

Nice work, anyway!

Thanks! The overall maxes column is the % of the points the contestant got out of the points available, i.e. in Ronan's case he got 1041 out of a possible 1111,

[Andres Sanchez]

As a bit of trivia for you lot:

Out of all the series that contained only two octochamps (yes including 9-round series), which one had the biggest gap between the two?

[Gavin Chipper]

I'm guessing it's 9-rounder the way the question was worded. Series 43? The one with David Williams. Or maybe Don Reid's series.