Summer 2015 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[mattjpa]

hes injured! I would be surprised, he was apparently outstanding at forest last season and recently signed a contract extension didnt he? Cant believe he is being paid much....my only concern would be the fact he hasnt stayed fit for any period of time could mean his place in the 25 could be under threat

[Holte L2]

Just had a look at Sky Sports News and found myself in 'The Transfer Zone'.

They're using Football Manager to decide if Pedro is better than di Maria, and to identify other similar players using stats for dribbling, crossing, passing.

Seriously

I saw that last night. Turned it straight off.

Whilst it is, on the surface, nuts, the amount of research on players that they do for games like FM or FIFA is absolutely immense.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if either of the companies who make those two franchises possessed the most statistically up to date database on footballers out there. In fact, I'd be surprised if they didn't

FIFA, no way. FM, definitely. They and Opta now work together in many ways too.

I watched the FM documentary a few weeks ago. The clubs that appeared on there admitted to buying FM and using it as a database to scout players.  Suppose for £30.00 it's a no brainer.
Sports Interactive employee a 1000 full time scouts so it's bound to be extremely accurate. I am a regular FM player, not so much these days but if I've got nothing on for a day I can easily spend a full day playing it. Seriously addictive.

[paul_e]

Just had a look at Sky Sports News and found myself in 'The Transfer Zone'.

They're using Football Manager to decide if Pedro is better than di Maria, and to identify other similar players using stats for dribbling, crossing, passing.

Seriously

I saw that last night. Turned it straight off.

Whilst it is, on the surface, nuts, the amount of research on players that they do for games like FM or FIFA is absolutely immense.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if either of the companies who make those two franchises possessed the most statistically up to date database on footballers out there. In fact, I'd be surprised if they didn't

There was an article in the guardian last year about football manager - http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/12/why-clubs-football-manager-scouting-tool - the key bit is the 1300 scouts about halfway down.  They use a full mix though, as it says they have fanzine editors but they also employ a team of analysts in house and use professional scouting agencies in the major leagues.  Obviously they get some wrong but so does everyone.

[UK Redsox]

The last time I played Football Manager, it looked like this. However, I'm not sure whether the game I played on my ZX Spectrum was an early version of what you lot play now or a completely different game

[saunders_heroes]

My "sources" understand that Gary Gardner has been told he can find a new club

No doubt Albion and Small Heath will be interested what with their obsession with our young cast offs.

[Phil from the upper holte]

My "sources" understand that Gary Gardner has been told he can find a new club

Not entirely surprised given his lack of game-time during pre-season.

I like him but I don't think he's going to make it, he's slow and injured far too often

Shame really

[Phil from the upper holte]

I might be wrong but i'm sure someone on VT had evidence that Whispers was a fake account?

All we can say about it is that it's been much more accurate than anywhere else (including the press) so I'd lean towards it being someone at the club, with the dodgy wording all part of a clear ploy to hide who they are.  If that's what they mean by fake (which is a complete misuse of the word) then ok, but it can't be a fake by any literal definition unless the person posting it is shouting all the comments into cortana/siri to post them.

Not only that he is hillarious, I don't care if its not true

[ozzjim]

If Gardner is indeed of them for me we are a midfielder light and should be expecting one to come in. Centrally we have Westwood, Gueye, Sanchez, Veretout. Richardson can pay there but not really up to standard. I thought Gardner would actually see quite a bit of football this season so if going think there is a hold in the squad there.

[Clampy]

I wonder if Tim is thinking Calder may come in and do a job if necessary from time to time.

[VILLA MOLE]

The last time I played Football Manager, it looked like this. However, I'm not sure whether the game I played on my ZX Spectrum was an early version of what you lot play now or a completely different game

Oh the nostalgia , I remember playing Football Director on the 64 which was basically teletext , loved it 

[exigo]

The last time I played Football Manager, it looked like this. However, I'm not sure whether the game I played on my ZX Spectrum was an early version of what you lot play now or a completely different game

Oh the nostalgia , I remember playing Football Director on the 64 which was basically teletext , loved it 

WARNING! Clicking this link will lose you the entire afternoon playing the original ZX Spectrum Football Manager. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

[citizenDJ]

Just had a look at Sky Sports News and found myself in 'The Transfer Zone'.

They're using Football Manager to decide if Pedro is better than di Maria, and to identify other similar players using stats for dribbling, crossing, passing.

Seriously

I saw that last night. Turned it straight off.

Whilst it is, on the surface, nuts, the amount of research on players that they do for games like FM or FIFA is absolutely immense.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if either of the companies who make those two franchises possessed the most statistically up to date database on footballers out there. In fact, I'd be surprised if they didn't

The whole thing is utterly preposterous from Sky. Everyone knows you should use FIFA for judging how good a player is.

I do think it's really quite silly though. The bloke actually cried "But look at the versatility, the stamina, the anticipation!" when explaining that Thomas Muller is better than Diego Costa - it sounded absurd.

I agree about the database of Football Manager though - I play the game myself.t

[Dave Cooper please]

Our local newspaper (the Tamworth Herald) refer to him as Tamworth's Ashley Williams

He was briefly in Tamworth's youth team before we sold him to the Stripeyfilth for a bag of footballs or something.

[eamonn]

My "sources" understand that Gary Gardner has been told he can find a new club

Not entirely surprised given his lack of game-time during pre-season.

I like him but I don't think he's going to make it, he's slow and injured far too often

Shame really

Isn't Ger just taking the mickey here, showing how rumours can grow legs quickly?

That Whispers person is ace, now that MysteryMan doesn't come round no more.

[mr underhill]

apparently, Albion have bid £11m for Praet