Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Summary

In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the evolving landscape of football recruitment, emphasising the significant impact of AI on analysis and decision-making.

They outline essential skills for future analysts, including building a repeatable recruitment process, working with AI as a copilot, and the importance of storytelling in presenting data.

The conversation highlights the urgency for professionals in the field to adapt to these changes and embrace the opportunities presented by AI technology.

Takeaways

• Football recruitment is changing rapidly due to AI.
• Analysts must equip themselves with core skills for the future.
• Building a repeatable recruitment process is essential.
• AI can serve as a valuable copilot in analysis.
• Data alone won't impress decision-makers; storytelling is key.
• The recruitment process should be a work in progress.
• AI presents a massive opportunity for analysts.
• Professionals need to get on board with AI technology.
• The impact of AI on recruitment is imminent and significant.
• Embracing change is crucial for success in the industry.

Useful Links

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.

Instagram

Youtube Channel

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Episode 10 Tables and Charts

Summary

In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the intricacies of football recruitment. They explore what constitutes a good recruitment decision, the importance of having a clear process, and the challenges of evaluating player fit versus talent. The conversation also delves into the global market for players and the adaptability challenges that come with it.

A case study on Chelsea's recent recruitment strategy highlights the potential pitfalls of over-recruitment and the consequences it can have on team dynamics. In this conversation, David Bromley and Tom Butterfield discuss the complexities of football management, focusing on Chelsea's recent challenges with squad management and player recruitment.

They explore the impact of managerial changes, the importance of a structured recruitment process, and the need for alignment between club vision and player signings. The discussion also highlights the significance of developing young talent and the potential pitfalls of rushed recruitment decisions. The episode concludes with an introduction to the Kickstart Challenge, aimed at preparing individuals for the intricacies of football management.

Takeaways

• Good recruitment decisions are based on a structured process.
• Having a clear brief is essential for effective recruitment.
• Filtering players is a massive challenge due to the vast number available.
• Evaluating player fit is more important than just assessing talent.
• The global market introduces adaptability challenges for players.
• Intangible elements play a crucial role in player recruitment.
• Chelsea's recruitment strategy raises questions about fit and culture.
• Over-recruitment can lead to tactical imbalances within a team.
• The pressure on managers increases with poor recruitment decisions.
• Successful recruitment requires a balance of talent and team dynamics. Chelsea's managerial instability has led to a bloated and unbalanced squad.
• The influx of attacking players can hinder the development of young talent.
• A clear pathway for youth players is essential for their growth.
• Recruitment decisions should align with the club's long-term vision.
• Opportunistic signings may not fit into a team's playing style.
• Young players often need time to develop before being thrust into the spotlight.
• A structured recruitment process can help mitigate risks in player signings.
• Collaboration between management and scouting is crucial for effective recruitment.
• Football management requires adaptability to changing circumstances.
• The Kickstart Challenge offers a foundational understanding of football management.

Useful Links

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.

Instagram

Youtube Channel

Join the Waiting List - 4-Day Football Analyst Kickstart Challenge

Summary

In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the critical role of data analysis in football, discussing its implications for recruitment and scouting.

They explore the recruitment process within football clubs, emphasising the importance of collaboration between coaches, analysts, and scouts.

The conversation introduces the concept of a 'War Room' simulation to help aspiring analysts understand the recruitment process better. The hosts also highlight the significance of consistency in evaluating players and building a target matrix for acquisitions.

They conclude with an invitation to join the 4-Day Football Analyst Kickstart Challenge, aimed at providing foundational knowledge for those interested in football analytics.

Takeaways

• Data analysis in football is lagging behind other sports.
• Clubs need to collaborate effectively for successful recruitment.
• Simulating a recruitment team can enhance understanding.
• Understanding playing styles is crucial for player evaluation.
• Consistency in scouting is key to successful recruitment.
• Building a target matrix helps streamline player acquisition.
• Data should complement, not replace, subjective evaluations.
• Proactive recruitment strategies prevent panic buys.
• The Kickstart Challenge offers a great introduction to football analytics.
• Learning by doing is essential in understanding recruitment processes.

Useful Links

Join the Waiting List - 4-Day Football Analyst Kickstart Challenge

Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.

Instagram

Youtube Channel

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

As we get towards the business end of the season we get cup finals, promotion races, play off scrambles, and relegation battles.

Pundits, Coaches and Fans will start talking about the need to 'Get Some Momentum' moving into this critical stage of the season....

We can probably think of a team who stormed into the play offs, made the great escape from relegation.... but does it happen as often as we think? Frankly, we wanted to see if momentum was real, or is it a myth?

Here's an old episode where David put in the hours to find us an answer based on the available data for the EFL Championship.

Useful Links

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.

Instagram

Youtube Channel

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

How many times do you watch a game of football where the commentators or pundits say

'The first goal will be vital today.'

Yeah of course you always want to score first, because you want to score!! But does it really make a difference who scores the first goal in an EFL Championship game?

We threw that logical hand grenade to David Bromley who set about collecting the data and changed the raw information into a format that gave us a clear insight into;

1) Is scoring the first goal important?

2) Is There a Difference Related To The Team Playing Style?

3) Which Teams Struggle When Conceding The First Goal?

4) Which Teams Are Least Affected By Going Behind?

It was a very interesting dive into a commonly asked question and it left us in no doubt about the answer.

Charts and Tables For Episode 29

First Goal Playing Styles

First Goal Teams - Scatter Plot

Team - First Goal Table

Useful Links

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.

Instagram

Youtube Channel

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Summary

In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the importance of transforming raw data into actionable insights in football analytics.

They emphasise the need for storytelling through data, the significance of context in interpreting numbers, and the value of visualising data to enhance understanding. The conversation also highlights the necessity of simplifying complex information to make it accessible and actionable for coaches and recruitment personnel.

Ultimately, the episode aims to equip listeners with the knowledge to effectively analyse player performance and make informed decisions based on data.

Takeaways

• Storytelling through data is essential in football analytics.
• Data provides unassailable facts about player performance.
• Context is crucial for interpreting numbers effectively.
• Visual representations of data enhance understanding.
• Simplicity in data presentation is key to engagement.
• Actionable insights are the ultimate goal of data analysis.
• Avoiding jargon helps communicate insights better.
• The best analysts focus on boiling down data into insights.
• Understanding the 'so what?' of data is vital for decision-making.
• Data is powerful only when it is understood and actionable.

Useful Links

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.

Instagram

Youtube Channel

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Summary

In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the importance of transforming raw data into actionable insights in football analytics.

They emphasize the need for storytelling through data, the significance of context in interpreting numbers, and the value of visualizing data to enhance understanding.

The conversation also highlights the necessity of simplifying complex information to make it accessible and actionable for coaches and recruitment personnel. Ultimately, the episode aims to equip listeners with the knowledge to effectively analyze player performance and make informed decisions based on data.

Useful Links

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.

Instagram

Youtube Channel

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Summary

In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the intricacies of football analytics, focusing on the importance of understanding basic metrics and the role of passing metrics in evaluating player performance.

They discuss the significance of quick passing and the contextual factors that influence the effectiveness of passes to the final third. The conversation emphasizes the need for analysts to have a comprehensive understanding of the game to interpret data meaningfully.

In this conversation, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the intricacies of football analytics, focusing on player metrics, particularly passing statistics. They discuss the importance of context in evaluating player performance, emphasizing that not all passes are equal and that understanding the game dynamics is crucial for accurate analysis.

The conversation also covers the significance of passes into the final third and penalty area, and how these metrics can inform recruitment and coaching strategies. They highlight the need for a balanced approach that combines numerical data with qualitative analysis to make informed decisions in football.

Takeaways

• It's important for people to understand basic metrics in football.
• Passing metrics are crucial for evaluating player performance.
• Quick passing can create more opportunities in the final third.
• Context matters when analyzing passing metrics.
• Players need to be aware of their surroundings when passing.
• The execution of a pass is as important as the vision to see it.
• Football analytics requires a blend of data and game knowledge.
• Not all passes to the final third are equally dangerous.
• Coaching philosophy influences players' passing decisions.
• Understanding the context of passes can enhance analytical insights. Understanding player metrics requires context and nuance.
• Passes into the final third are not all equal.
• Coaches must consider player strengths when analyzing passes.
• Possession modification is crucial in evaluating player performance.
• Passes into the penalty area are a critical metric for success.
• Top players instinctively know where to place the ball.
• Blending metrics can provide deeper insights into player performance.
• Recruitment should consider team context and individual metrics.
• The eye test complements numerical analysis in player evaluation.
• A systematic approach is essential for effective performance analysis.

Useful Links

Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course

Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.

Instagram

Youtube Channel