Sports Letters: Missed opportunity

Sir: Joe Lovejoy, in his account of Norwich v Aston Villa (24 March), says: 'Had Villa's finishing matched their incisive approach work, they would have been at least three goals to the good, then coasting, by half- time.' This type of statement is often made by reporters, TV commentators, players and managers. It is not necessarily true: it misses the point that, had one of those missed chances been a goal, the rest of the game for that half would have been different, with a kick-off from the centre spot, instead of perhaps, a goal-kick. No doubt other near-misses would occur, but, in summing up a game, the total of chances do not equal the total of possible goals.

Yours faithfully,

R D PREECE

Herefordshire

25 March