Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Matt Collins]

A lot of those stats confirm his lack of contribution for someone who is supposed to be a creative player and lacks defensive ability.
Successful croses 10.8% woeful.
Assists 8. Crap.
Goals 4 pathetic.
I see absolute no point in comparison with McGinn as you don’t need to look at stats to know who the most effective player is, just watch them play.

I'm not a massive fan of hourihane but this post is ridiculous. Tell me many centre midfielders with better productivity over recent seasons

[LeeB]

A lot of those stats confirm his lack of contribution for someone who is supposed to be a creative player and lacks defensive ability.
Successful croses 10.8% woeful.
Assists 8. Crap.
Goals 4 pathetic.
I see absolute no point in comparison with McGinn as you don’t need to look at stats to know who the most effective player is, just watch them play.

I'm not a massive fan of hourihane but this post is ridiculous. Tell me many centre midfielders with better productivity over recent seasons

I agree.

[Clampy]

I wouldnt call 8 assists crap. He could do with adding a few more goals to his game but so could Mcginn. Let's not forget, Hourihane has played a deeper role at times this season as well.

[brian green]

Hourihane does make positive contributions to any side he is part of.  My problem with him is a common one in midfield players who do not deliver to their full potential, he is better when his team is winning.  He goes missing when we are under the cosh. In my opinion.

[john e]

He’s definitely good enough for a mid table championship team which is where we are at the moment

but if we want to be better than that Horihane needs upgrading or he needs to improve a lot imo

[Clampy]

A little unfair to say he hasn't made a positive contribution. Didn't he get into double figures last season? I'm not a massive fan but he's been a decent enough signing for what we paid.

[oldhill_avfc]

The stats quoted say as much about McGinn's limitations as Hourihane"s

[ROBBO]

He is much better just tucked in behind the forwards he is never a deep lying midfielder.

[Diablo]

I watched the film Moneyball on Sunday for the first time (after someone I met said it was their favourite film). It made me think of Brentford and the old Liverpool set up pre Klopp (didn't they hire someone in to go down that route too?) and DS comment last week about increasing our younger player's market value. I'm assuming Brentford took their blueprint from Moneyball does anyone know if that is/was the case? Are their other examples of teams that have adopted this - besides the other club linked to Brentford? Or have lots of teams adopted this method with the availability of new technology and access to more stats?

[Risso]

*PWS to the thread please*

[The Edge]

I watched the film Moneyball on Sunday for the first time (after someone I met said it was their favourite film). It made me think of Brentford and the old Liverpool set up pre Klopp (didn't they hire someone in to go down that route too?) and DS comment last week about increasing our younger player's market value. I'm assuming Brentford took their blueprint from Moneyball does anyone know if that is/was the case? Are their other examples of teams that have adopted this - besides the other club linked to Brentford? Or have lots of teams adopted this method with the availability of new technology and access to more stats?

There was a club round here who bought into that Moneyball bollocks but for the life of me i cant think who it was? 😒

[brian green]

Was that the one that bought Veretout, Amavi, Gueye and Traore? 

[The Edge]

Was that the one that bought Veretout, Amavi, Gueye and Traore?

Thats the one.

[Chipsticks]

I watched the film Moneyball on Sunday for the first time (after someone I met said it was their favourite film). It made me think of Brentford and the old Liverpool set up pre Klopp (didn't they hire someone in to go down that route too?) and DS comment last week about increasing our younger player's market value. I'm assuming Brentford took their blueprint from Moneyball does anyone know if that is/was the case? Are their other examples of teams that have adopted this - besides the other club linked to Brentford? Or have lots of teams adopted this method with the availability of new technology and access to more stats?

Great film, and I strongly recommend you get hold of the book 'The Numbers Game', which goes into detail about how the explosive arrival of stats on everything has led to a more mathematical approach to football.

I feel like most teams in the modern game have adopted this approach now, but not quite to the extent of Moneyball.

[Diablo]

I watched the film Moneyball on Sunday for the first time (after someone I met said it was their favourite film). It made me think of Brentford and the old Liverpool set up pre Klopp (didn't they hire someone in to go down that route too?) and DS comment last week about increasing our younger player's market value. I'm assuming Brentford took their blueprint from Moneyball does anyone know if that is/was the case? Are their other examples of teams that have adopted this - besides the other club linked to Brentford? Or have lots of teams adopted this method with the availability of new technology and access to more stats?

There was a club round here who bought into that Moneyball bollocks but for the life of me i cant think who it was? 😒

I thought that was just a poorly managed phase we went through with Sherwood? Where people in high places were extremely over paid. Was that really our Moneyball period? Pretty poor imitation/disaster if so (despite some of the transfer fees since). Brentford have definitely had success with it - if that is actually what their system is based on. Is there anyone else who has success? Or have they been any other dalliances/disasters?