The Goalscoring Myth: A 20 goal striker is not a “must” for success

Last season’s Championship was a strange one in the goalscoring charts as it was the first time in more than fifteen years that the leading scorer at this level did not pass the twenty goal barrier.  Often seen as the benchmark for success for a forward man it was former Swan Joel Piroe who led the way with nineteen goals, one short of that often talked about mark of quality.

From a Swans perspective, our leading scorer was Liam Cullen who mustered 11 goals but did not reach the Top 10 of goalscorers in the division.   It has left the Swans with a quandry this summer as to needing a new striker with recent purchases Jerry Yates, Zan Vipotnik and the recently departed Mykola Kuharevich never really showing signs that they were the answers to the problems of recent seasons.

But when we look back at last season is it a case of needing that talisman up front to be scoring every other game or can success be gained through just an all round good team ethic and ability and are there lessons to be learned from the Championship of last season?   We take a look below

As the dust settled, Leeds United and Burnley secured their return to the Premier League via automatic promotion, while Sunderland emerged victorious from the tense play-offs. This deep dive into the top goalscorers for each of the 24 clubs aims to dissect the intricate relationship between a team’s leading marksman and their overall success (or lack thereof) in this notoriously demanding division. Does a prolific striker guarantee a top-six finish, or is it merely one piece of a much larger, more complex puzzle?

The Pinnacle of Prowess: Promoted Teams and Their Goalscorers

Leeds United (1st – 100 points)

Leeds United’s triumphant return to the Premier League as Championship champions was significantly fueled by the sensational form of Joël Piroe. The Dutch striker netted 19 goals, making him the league’s top scorer. His clinical finishing was a perfect fit for Daniel Farke’s attacking philosophy, which saw Leeds rack up a league-high 95 goals. Piroe’s ability to convert chances consistently, often with minimal fuss, provided the cutting edge that separated Leeds from their rivals. His goals weren’t just numerous; they were often decisive, turning draws into wins and ensuring maximum points from dominant performances. The presence of another significant contributor, Daniel James, with 12 goals, further illustrates Leeds’ multi-pronged attack. This tandem effectively distributed the goalscoring burden, but Piroe was undoubtedly the primary focal point, demonstrating a strong positive correlation between having the league’s top scorer and achieving automatic promotion.

Burnley (2nd – 100 points)

Burnley’s journey back to the top flight was equally impressive, finishing level on points with Leeds but just behind on goal difference. Their success, however, painted a different picture regarding the reliance on a single, prolific forward. While Josh Brownhill was their top scorer with 18 goals, his significant tally from midfield highlighted a more collective approach to goalscoring. Notably, Burnley’s success was fundamentally built on an almost impenetrable defence, conceding a mere 16 goals throughout the entire season – a statistic that dwarfs every other team in the division. Goalkeeper James Trafford’s 29 clean sheets were a testament to this defensive solidity.

Brownhill’s ability to drive forward from midfield and contribute crucial goals, along with Zian Flemming (12 goals), meant that Burnley were not solely dependent on a traditional number nine. This diversified attack, combined with their defensive steel, allowed them to grind out results and accumulate points even in tight encounters. Burnley’s story suggests that while a top scorer is valuable, an exceptional defensive foundation and a spread of goal threats can be an equally, if not more, potent recipe for automatic promotion.

Sunderland (4th – 76 points; Play-off Winners)

Sunderland’s promotion via the playoffs was a testament to their resilience and ability to peak at the right time. Finishing 4th, they scored 58 goals, a respectable but not outstanding tally compared to the top two. Their top scorer, Wilson Isidor, contributed 12 goals. Isidor’s goals were important, but Sunderland’s narrative was less about individual brilliance and more about collective effort, tactical discipline, and strong performances in high-pressure playoff matches. The Black Cats’ defensive improvements (44 goals conceded) were also crucial in their push for the top six and ultimate Wembley glory. Their success demonstrates that while having a solid attacking outlet is necessary, a well-drilled unit and a strong mentality for knockout football can be the true differentiators in the Championship’s unique play-off system.

The Playoff Contenders: Balancing Attack and Defence

Sheffield United (3rd – 90 points)

Falling just short of automatic promotion, Sheffield United secured 3rd place with 90 points. They scored 63 goals, and while their individual top scorer data isn’t at the very top of the overall league chart, players like Gustavo Hamer (9 goals) from midfield and Tyrese Campbell (10 goals) provided consistent contributions. Crucially, Sheffield United also boasted a formidable defence, conceding only 36 goals, the third-best record in the league. This indicates a well-balanced side, capable of both scoring and preventing goals effectively. Their high league position, despite not having a single player dominating the scoring charts, highlights the importance of a strong defensive foundation coupled with distributed attacking threats.

Coventry City (5th – 69 points)

Coventry City earned their playoff spot with 69 points and 64 goals scored. Their top scorer, Haji Wright, contributed 12 goals, ably supported by Jack Rudoni (9 goals). This pairing provided the bulk of their attacking threat, but similar to other playoff teams, Coventry’s success was not solely dependent on a single prolific individual. Their ability to secure a playoff spot with a relatively modest goal difference (+6) points to their consistency in picking up points and a generally solid defensive shape, even if not as impenetrable as the top two.

Bristol City (6th – 68 points)

Bristol City snatched the final playoff spot, finishing with 68 points and scoring 59 goals. Tommy Conway was their leading man with 13 goals. Bristol City’s season was characterized by a high number of draws (17), suggesting a team that was difficult to beat and capable of grinding out results. Conway’s goals were vital in pushing them over the line, but the team’s resilience and ability to hold firm in tight matches were equally important. Their defensive record (55 goals conceded) was average, but their capacity to draw matches meant they avoided too many damaging defeats.

For playoff contenders, the data suggests that while a consistent goalscorer is highly beneficial (as seen with Conway and Wright), it’s part of a broader picture. A strong defence, the ability to turn draws into wins, and collective effort are often just as crucial in securing a top-six finish.

The Mid-Table Maze: Goals Without the Glory

The mid-table teams often provide the most intriguing insights into the limitations of individual goalscoring prowess.

Norwich City (13th – 57 points)

Norwich City stands out as a prime example of a team with significant attacking talent that ultimately underperformed in the league standings. They scored an impressive 71 goals, the fourth-highest in the Championship. This was largely due to the formidable duo of Borja Sainz (18 goals) and Joshua Sargent (15 goals), who were both among the league’s top individual scorers. Yet, Norwich finished a disappointing 13th. The stark reason for this disparity lies in their defensive record: they conceded a staggering 68 goals. This illustrates a critical point: a high-scoring individual, or even a prolific team attack, cannot compensate for a consistently porous defence. Norwich often found themselves in thrilling, high-scoring games that ultimately ended in draws or defeats, highlighting a fundamental imbalance in their squad construction.

Middlesbrough (10th – 64 points)

Middlesbrough finished in a respectable 10th position, scoring 64 goals. Their top scorers were Tommy Conway (13 goals) and Finn Azaz (12 goals), both contributing significantly. This indicates a solid attacking unit, and their mid-table finish, coupled with 56 goals conceded, suggests a team that was neither exceptional nor disastrous in any particular area. They were a consistent presence in the middle of the pack, with their key attackers doing their job, but lacking the extra quality or defensive resilience to push for the playoffs.

West Bromwich Albion (9th – 64 points)

West Brom finished just outside the playoff spots, scoring 57 goals. Their leading scorer, Josh Maja, bagged 12 goals. West Brom’s season was marked by a high number of draws (19), showcasing a team that was hard to beat but struggled to convert draws into wins. Maja’s goals were crucial, but the team’s overall attacking output was perhaps not quite high enough to consistently break down opponents, preventing them from making a stronger challenge for the top six.

Sheffield Wednesday (12th – 58 points)

Sheffield Wednesday scored 60 goals, with Josh Windass contributing 13 goals. Despite Windass’s solid individual tally, Wednesday finished 12th, largely due to conceding 69 goals. Similar to Norwich, this points to a significant defensive weakness that undermined their attacking efforts. Windass was a bright spark, but he couldn’t carry the team single-handedly past their defensive struggles.

The Relegation Zone: The Perils of Goal Droughts and Defensive Lapses

The teams that suffered relegation to League One – Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Cardiff City – provide the clearest evidence of how a lack of goals, often combined with defensive fragilities, can spell disaster.

Plymouth Argyle (23rd – 46 points)

Plymouth Argyle’s season was a sobering illustration of how attacking efforts can be completely nullified by defensive shortcomings. They scored 51 goals, a tally higher than several teams who finished above them, and had Finn Azaz contributing 12 goals before his move to Middlesbrough. Yet, they finished 23rd, primarily because they conceded an astonishing 88 goals – by far the worst defensive record in the league. This is a stark warning: a team can have a decent goalscorer and even a respectable overall goal tally, but if the floodgates are open at the other end, relegation is almost inevitable. Azaz’s goals, while individually impressive, were simply not enough to compensate for the constant leakage at the back.

Cardiff City (24th – 44 points)

Finishing bottom of the league, Cardiff City embodied the classic relegation profile: struggling to score and struggling to defend. They scored 48 goals, with Callum Robinson being their top scorer with 12 goals. While Robinson’s individual contribution was notable for a relegated side, the team’s overall attacking output was too low, and their defence conceded 73 goals. This combination of attacking impotence and defensive fragility was a recipe for disaster, leaving them unable to compete effectively in most matches.

Luton Town (22nd – 49 points)

Luton Town also faced the drop, scoring just 45 goals – one of the lowest in the division – and conceding 69. Their top scorer was Carlton Morris with 10 goals. Luton’s struggle to find the back of the net consistently was a major factor in their relegation. While not as defensively disastrous as Plymouth, their inability to score enough goals meant they couldn’t turn draws into wins or recover from going behind. Morris’s efforts were commendable, but the lack of widespread goal contributions across the team ultimately sealed their fate.

Comprehensive Overview of Top Scorers by Club:

Note: For teams with joint top scorers, or where the top scorer had the same tally as others higher up the overall list, an approximate ranking is given.

Conclusion: The Nuanced Relationship Between Goals and Glory

The 2024/2025 Championship season reinforced several key insights into the dynamics of success in this gruelling league:

1. A Star Striker is a Huge Asset, Not a Sole Guarantee: Leeds United’s triumph with the league’s top scorer, Joël Piroe, clearly demonstrates the immense value of a clinical forward. When a team is built to supply such a player, it can be the decisive factor for automatic promotion.
2. Defensive Solidity Can Outweigh Individual Brilliance: Burnley’s remarkable season, characterized by their stingy defence, provides a compelling counter-narrative. They proved that a collective defensive effort, coupled with goals from various sources (including a high-scoring midfielder in Brownhill), can be just as, if not more, effective than relying on a single dominant striker.
3. Balance is Key for Playoff Contention: Teams like Sheffield United, Coventry City, and Bristol City, while having consistent goalscorers, achieved their playoff berths through a more balanced approach. They combined reasonable attacking output with sufficient defensive discipline to accumulate points steadily.
4. Goals Without Defence Are Futile: Norwich City’s case is the most striking example of how a high-scoring attack, even featuring two players in the league’s top 5, can be undermined by a leaky defence. Scoring goals loses its impact if you’re conceding almost as many.
5. Relegation is a Symptom of Dual Failure: For the relegated teams – Cardiff, Luton, and especially Plymouth – the common theme was a struggle at both ends of the pitch. While some individuals (like Robinson or Azaz) might have put in respectable numbers, their efforts were overshadowed by the team’s overall inability to score enough goals and, crucially, to prevent opponents from scoring.

We should remember in all of this as well that in the seventeen seasons since we returned to the top two divisions, only five times have we had a striker to score more than twenty goals in the league (Jason Scotland, Scott Sinclair, Wilfried Bony, Oli McBurnie and Joel Piroe) so to have any expectation of finding one with ease would feel like optimism to a level that we cannot deliver?

Here is a list of Swansea City’s top league goalscorers since a 2008 promotion: