COUNTIF alongside an unless or format caveat

[Jazz Jones]

Within a sports league, we have a list of player names in columns D and J. I used a countif function to total up the number of matches each player has appeared in, based on how many times their name shows up in these columns and that's fine

=COUNTIF(Data!D:J,[@[Player Name]])

However, I've realised that the 'Player of the Match' is also named in these columns (The "POM" name cells are in B and H) and that's throwing my count of as it means their name is used again.
Is there a way that I can run a COUNTIF that excludes anything if the cell two columns before contains 'POM'? Or excludes a name if it is in bold? Example screenshot below for reference (col K just an indicator of the formula in there, but it is working ok). So in the example, Player 5 would be showing as having played two games (correctly), but Players 2 and 6 will also count twice, even though they've only played once each.

 

[Fluff]

What version of Excel are you using?

I suggest that you update your Account details (or click your user name at the top right of the forum) so helpers always know what Excel version(s) & platform(s) you are using as the best solution often varies by version. (Don’t forget to scroll down & ‘Save’)

Try

=COUNTIFS(Data!D:J,[@[Player Name]],Data!B:H,"<>POM")

 

[Jazz Jones]

What version of Excel are you using?

I suggest that you update your Account details (or click your user name at the top right of the forum) so helpers always know what Excel version(s) & platform(s) you are using as the best solution often varies by version. (Don’t forget to scroll down & ‘Save’)

Try

=COUNTIFS(Data!D:J,[@[Player Name]],Data!B:H,"<>POM")

It's Excel 365, version 2208. I'll update my details now - thanks for the tip!
And the code has worked! What is it doing? Is is basically saying Count If and then you've added almost a "yes, include" and a "no, don't include" section for each option?

My mind is blown.

 

[Fluff]

I'll update my details now

Thanks for that.

The formula will count the players if the column 2 to the right does not equal POM