New head of European scouting

[ozzjim]

As ever the proof of the pudding will be in the eating but I like what he has said there, reinforcing Lambert's view about players needing to have the right character.

I like the fact we seem to finally be waking up to the idea of planning and structure around the footballing side of the club, with value for money and types of footballer being targeted.

Now if he could spirit a left back and a striker out of the ether that would be dandy.

[VancouverLion]

Fantastic news, everything seems to be falling into place nicely on & off the pitch.
Feeling confident about the direction we're heading, vast contrast to last season!!

UTV

[The Laughing Policeman]

Great news. Looks like we're entering the 21st century at last.

[garyshawsknee]

Years behind other clubs,but better late than never. If the guy can pull a left back out of the hat before the end of August even better!!

[VillaAlways]

This is all a bit exciting isn't it?

[N'Zimidy]

Fantastic appointment. We're certainly not settling for average any more. Randy going for a top, top manager in Lambert and a top, top scout in Henke?

What a time to be a Villa fan.

[Walmley_Villa]

Great news - things are falling into place nicely. Can we have the ticket prices, safe standing and German beers now too?

[bertlambshank]

Fantastic news.

[London Villan]

It was something they alluded to in the SCG meeting last night. A footballing structure in place so that if ever a manager resigns 5 days before the season, or has hear t problems during the season then the footballing side of the club isn't destroyed by their departure...

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Great news.  Let's hope we unearth some Ozils, Mullers and Schweinsteigers!

[Smoke]

Some slightly better credentials than Ian Storey-Moore

[Salsa Party Animal]

I would love to know which players he discovered I think we will be the English premiership version of Bayern Munich eventually.

[paul_e]

This is a key role.  Hopefully he will be totally outside the coaching/management side.

A truly great scouting system shouldn't be based on the needs of the current coach/manager, but rather it should be a much more holistic system whereby we have a large number of options on the radar in every role .

The idea should always be that, a month or so before the window opens the manager will draft a shortlist of roles he wants to fill, along with attributes he wants in those players.  The scouts should be able to return a report almost instantly detailing 2-3 options for every role.  Then the manager and CEO start the process of contacting agents and clubs.  If everything works most of the business is well in the pipeline by the time the window opens.

As much as I dislike the club, Man Utd have achieved great success over a long period of time by using almost exactly this approach.

[Doorbell]

Very happy indeed!  Great move by the club 

[Smoke]

As much as I dislike the club, Man Utd have achieved great success over a long period of time by using almost exactly this approach.

Apart from the quite obvious "ohh He's good, I want him" way they do a massive amount of their transfers see Young, Berbatov, Jones, Carrick, Rooney, Yorke, Valencia, Tevez, Cole, Van Nistelrooy + Many more.