This is all good stuff and I guess similar graphs would apply for individual players but they don't say anything about formations or dead ball tactics so are these addressed?
Not in the article where I got these from now. However I can definitely get ahold of some set piece data, will post when I can.
There's a good book called the Nowhere Men by a bloke called Michael Calvin about the Talent ID lads that you'll see scouting at kids (and other) games. It's a good read. I do the volunteering in non-league thing, doing oppo analysis, and what he describes in the book definitely rings some bells with me. You can spot blokes doing what I do at non-league games, dressed in dark clothes, carrying a note pad, and usually lurking at the back of a stand. Usually we just nod at each other, but a couple of times, people have sidled up to me, gone "I knew what you're doing" and we've helped each other out. (Actually, that sounds a bit wrong, now I read it back ). Like the lads doing the professional, data analysis stuff, I got into it through knowing someone already involved, got some of the relevant PFSA certificates, and have moved on through networking and word of mouth ("you need a scout? I know a lad"). I wish I had access to the type of data that Sour Patch is putting on here, mind.
Well worth a read that. An even better one is no hunger in paradise, very much related to academy football.
Loving the thread @SourPatch2. Data very much not my thing and enjoying doing some learning. Do you see any sort of predictive data analytics taking root in junior football? I.e. using data from say 8 or 9 year olds to forecast how they will progress and / or where they may best be suited to play on a pitch. It is a terrifying notion for me, but interested if you see it happening?
I hope not. But honestly, yes I can see something like that happening if it hasn't already started. At that age surely positional decisions have to be found not forced
I know folk have answered but I have a tiny bit of experience to share, that is a little different. My background is in coaching. I have met loads of scouts through that. I am not a qualified scout, but have been asked by clubs that know me to keep an eye out for a certain type of player. One thing a scout should always do is seek permission to watch the game, or at least they used to. I had a good relationship at Burton Albion for a while and we also talked in advance. They also should show you some legit club id if talking to you. Anyway, depending on how far up the pyramid you go the more formalised the system is in my experience. I was asked to do some scouting of youth football for pro cluns. I did a little bit but to be honest didnt really have the appetite for it. The ask came because I coached in those academies, and I could cover games in junior leagues they were doing currently. I think I did about 4 weeks and said no more, it just wasnt my skill set. A good friend of mine, ex professional and coach, set up his own coaching school. I coached with him in that setup and led his 16-18 year old group. We had quite a bit of success putting lads back into academy setup, or into lower league club setups. He got himself all qualified to scout and he started doing a little bit. Through his contacts he got introduced to Man City (early days of their new money) and became their midlands scout for junior football. That was a lot of time and effort for him though. As others have said it can be time and place, or who you know. But also doing the quals is most likely a great place to start. The FA quals across football are excellent generally. I did all my footy ones and they were brilliant, and you build a great network when doing them.
I can see it too mate. I know of players rejected based on predicted height, goalies in particular. It isnt much of a leap to start building algorythms that can churn through huge data sets and make predictions. Scary thought. Somebody somewhere is probably right now working on it in beta somewhere.
After getting unbelievably frustrated at Roberts on Tuesday, I thought I would go and look at some of his data. In particular his shooting. I've been of the opinion that he takes a load of bad quality shots. He has taken 31 non penalty shots this season resulting in 0 goals and a total xG of 1.62. 20 of them 31 shots have been from outside the box which means he has taken just 11 non penalty shots from inside the box this season. This is a graph displaying every championship player (who has played 5 games or more in total) and how many shots they take per 90 and their non penalty xG per shot numbers. Anything above 0.10 non penalty xG per shot is good and you really want your forwards to be taking over 2 shots a game. Roberts is the red dot near the bottom of the graph, with a npxG per shot total of 0.05. This for me shows that he is taking a lot of bad shots and is amongst the worst in the league for the amount of shots he takes compared to the quality of them shots. I really think it's time for him to be replaced. A player with some goal scoring threat from the right side could really push us onto the next level.
Using the same table but focusing on strikers now. Graph shows every Championship striker that has played 5 or more games in total. Both Isidor and Mayenda are having good seasons. Would like Mayenda to shoot a little bit more but he's getting into great areas, Isidor is shooting a lot but from slightly worse positions, still good areas to be shooting from though.
Minor point. Wilson last game hit a shot and it rebounded to him and he hit it again. It was a poor decision to hit it again. He could lay it into Jobe who was in A1 position whilst he was off balance. Sometimes strikers drive me bloody mad tbh.
While I thought he was poor the other night, and actually think his threat is lessening in games. Are you able to look at stats such as contributions to goal moves, or free kicks won? I bet being double marked is beyond us? I am not trying to be an arse, but surely stats that are about the end of a passage of play tell a fraction of the story? I was thinking about his little play for a goal recently which was jusy ridiculous and opened the game, but would only register as an assist for the assist. I think we could probably upgrade the position to be honest. Poveda was a weird option imo. A bit too similar. Raw pace would be a useful weapon out there.
