This is a genuine question that if someone definitely knows I would like explained to me.Not someones assumption just anybody who knows for a fact preferably told by Patrick and/or Ben Mansford. What is a spreadsheet signing.? I know as much about players having to have a resale value and be a certain age but that's about it.
I was told at the academy last week that with Hecky it worked along these lines. The coach outlines what he requires for the team let’s say a left sided midfielder that is a ball winner. The spreadsheet analyst comes up with a list of circa 10 candidates from lower leagues that fit the bill. These candidates are then pruned down to a ‘few’ by age,price , contract wage demands etc. The resulting players/player left is then targeted and hopefully signed. Obviously it’s aclittle deeper than that but that’s the general way it’s done apparently
have you ever played a computer game of football management... that's exactly what it is more or less.
Exactly,each club relies on the ‘coach ‘ to build a team and coach the desired tactics,however,the spreadsheet analysers all players and their credentials.Unfortunately each club has different disabling parameters of which for the past few seasons with Barnsley has been cost based and wage demands si even when the spreadsheet says yes the bank balance says no.Hence we take larger risks and buy players with ‘faults’ that can be afforded and hopefully the faults covered or coached out ... risky business. It’s a lot easier being Man City I presume !
All signings are made based on statistical analysis of performance with only those hitting certain biometric performance indicators to be pursued. The HC highlights areas of weaknesses and then Is fed back potential signings in those areas. Further scouting can be done. The HC does not determine the targets not can he suggest targets but the final say on signings rests with him. (Pretty much from the mouth of the horse).
Which is why the frustration of the head coach was shown .Out of the said candidates when there’s only two that can actually be afforded. The spreadsheet and scouting shows the same players , the club with the willingness to pay/ better salaries get the best of it
I think the film money ball actually shows what we’re trying to say pretty accurate when your in the bargain basement .
Instead of the good old days of over 120 years of having a manager pick who he wants to sign, it's now a head coach says what he wants and people with no history at playing professional football get to play real life football manager, where if the signings fail the wrong person (head coach) gets the blame as they are seen as their players, when they aren't.
Did you think that when the spreadsheet came up with Mawson , Roberts , Watkins ,Scowan , Houriane etc ?
I have always argued against looking for treasure in the lower leagues when being at Championship level. In the past we have got lucky but the players you mention should have been tied down when our rise started from the bottom of League One. We could then have consolidated as a mid table side and the owners might have speculated a bit more instead of seeming disinterested. What we now have are substandard players on 2 or 3 year contracts most of who are not worth watching. For me the CEO needs to go and definitely the manager. I also could suggest at least 10 players to follow. Summer clearance and a fresh impetus required. Success in League One by no means a given!!!