Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Gallen knew nothing about JRS. We have Dougie Freedman to thank for that signing.
Take a look at the video below. 2 mins in he says himself ‘I was lucky to be invited by Dougie to Palace vs Man Utd last season where Dougie said ‘look there’s the guy I’m trying to tell you to take’.
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
I think this is entirely spot on. Sporting directors/directors of football (or whatever you wish to call them) are to my mind not far off managers - there is so much external influence and context that goes into doing their job. Budget, market forces, current squad, executive and manager influence, personal relationships, pressure and expectations - the list goes on. The same guy can work miracles in one place and look hapless in another. Monchi has turned Sevilla from a mid-table La Liga club into a European powerhouse all whilst churning the squad and generating consistent returns on sales, bookending 2 years at Roma during which he spunked their Champions League dosh and the proceeds of selling Salah and Allison for all kinds of rubbish.
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Gallen knew nothing about JRS. We have Dougie Freedman to thank for that signing.
Take a look at the video below. 2 mins in he says himself ‘I was lucky to be invited by Dougie to Palace vs Man Utd last season where Dougie said ‘look there’s the guy I’m trying to tell you to take’.
Think his name has been mentioned but Owen Moxon has 16 assists for Carlisle in league 2 this season. Watching their semi-final now and his set piece delivery is brilliant, something we’ve lacked for a couple of seasons now
Very decent player. 25 and a Decent size too and originally picked up for peanuts from Scotland - Annan Athletic iirc either him or Elliot Watt at Salford would improve our passing and ball retention. Watt came through at Wolves but made his name at Bradford last season before heading to Salford a year ago. Loads of assists and top of the L2 passing stats for numbers and accuracy
Both have the potential to significantly increase in value and should be worth a look - one is likely to be in our division after the playoffs
Mentioned Elliot Watt a little while back as someone we should target and has room for potential to go up and play Championship football. He’s a deep lying playmaker with one of, if not the most, forward passes in League Two. It’s how he has so many assists. Not the sideways stuff that we’ve become accustomed to.
My biggest frustration is I emailed his details to the club last June. His value has only gone up since then.
Think the club has missed out on a hell of a lot of decent players over the last couple of years, for many reasons.
Not willing to pay, not willing to take advice from others, not enough staff with knowledge and contacts, not enough staff out watching players from all levels, too much turnover in coaches, too much interference from those who don’t have the knowledge, I can go on.
I thought it was really disappointing when you said Gallen hadn't heard of Ellis Sims at Everton.
The club needs to be more aware of players doing well in the PL u21 leagues. There will be many potential loans, signings for fees and free transfers at that level who could improve us and in the case of those joining permanently, players who can grow with the club.
JRS was a brilliant loan for us, but we need more of that quality and we may have to look further than other London clubs to find them.
I've seen that Sunderland have moved their focus to younger players in the last few years and clubs like Lincoln overachieved partly due to their loan signings. Definitely an area for us to improve in.
I was bitterly disappointed and I think it highlights how we have been working over the last handful of years, at least. Gallen I have no doubt is a great negotiator, but he was a man working too many jobs with not enough resources, knowledge and contacts. He needed a team of people. Simms was a strange one that he’d never heard of as the month later he signed for Blackpool helping them win promotion out of this league!
Whilst we are actually discussing recruitment, I have been, for a while, making a list of young players we should be keeping close tabs on. As you’ll see I tend to look for attacking players as they’re the more exciting ones, naturally… but of course we have to be careful not to stunt the development of our own players.
Leeds United U21:
Sonny Perkins - 19 years old - (forward) - Londoner who Leeds took from West Ham as part of their development squad. And they’ve got a great group of youngsters. A player who could be called upon if Leeds are to go down, but could also be a great signing for anyone at our level.
Mateo Joseph - 19 years old (forward) - Spanish born yet England U20 international joined Leeds from Espanyol just over a year or so ago. His record for U21 at Leeds is very good, a talented player who can operate as a 10.
Manchester City U21:
Adedire Mebude - 18 years old (forward) - Scottish U21 international who was born in London but is from Nigerian descent. Man City signed him from Rangers and he has scored and assisted for fun in the U21 PL2 this season. Extremely creative and is an out and out right winger who is right footed too, which makes a change.
Carlos Borges - 19 years old (forward) - a left footed left winger from Portugal. Arguably one of the very best of this list. For a winger his record at youth level is phenomenal, he’s also scored a hat-trick against Derby in the EFL Trophy in the season just finishing. He’s absolutely rapid and quite likely out of our reach.
Oscar Bobb - 19 years old - (midfielder) - another one from the Man City production line and one hell of a talent. Winning Man City’s Elite Development Squad player of the season, Bobb is a Norwegian U21 international attacking midfielder who can really pick a pass. Was expected to go out on loan in January but as Man City often do, wanted him to finish the campaign with their development team. Would be a real coup if we got him, that’s even if we are interested.
Chelsea U21:
Harvey Vale - 19 years old - (midfielder) - next big thing a couple years ago but not kicked on like Gallagher did. Yet to go on loan though but part of England U20 set up. Technically gifted and would be a Morgan replacement.
West Ham United U21:
Divin Mubama - 18 years old - forward) - won FA Youth Cup, been part of the Europa Conference League squad at times, scored loads for U18 and U21. Left footed striker who runs in behind and offers something else. He also knows where the goal is which is always handy.
West Bromwich Albion U21:
Reyes Cleary - 19 years old - (forward) - left winger mainly yet can play in a number of positions and scored loads for the U21. An England youth international who played a couple of games in Championship last season but needs a full year playing. League One for a season could be what he needs.
Norwich City U21:
Abu Kamara - 19 years old - (forward) - Southeast London born left footed forward who started as a full back/winger and can play right across the front line. Out of contract in the summer and has scored goals at both U18 and U21 for a couple of years. At 19 he either needs to move on elsewhere for men’s football or sign a contract at Norwich and hope to break through.
On the subject of where players spring from, I just watched the Coventry v Middlesbrough match. From their top 6 teams, Middlesbrough had a striker from Tooting & Mitcham and Coventry a defender who was relegated with scunthorpe last season.
There are gems out there, but as we've found out, the bargain bins are full of more crap than quality.
We have picked up many gems from the likes of Tooting and Mitcham
Nick Pope - Bury Town Lucas Ness - Met Police Fc Joe Aribo - Staines Town
Lookman from Waterloo FC is crazy too. How did no one find him sooner!?
We did not find Lookman he walked into the training ground
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Gallen knew nothing about JRS. We have Dougie Freedman to thank for that signing.
Take a look at the video below. 2 mins in he says himself ‘I was lucky to be invited by Dougie to Palace vs Man Utd last season where Dougie said ‘look there’s the guy I’m trying to tell you to take’.
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Gallen knew nothing about JRS. We have Dougie Freedman to thank for that signing.
Take a look at the video below. 2 mins in he says himself ‘I was lucky to be invited by Dougie to Palace vs Man Utd last season where Dougie said ‘look there’s the guy I’m trying to tell you to take’.
Our scouts / recruitment team didn’t appear to know anything about him until then.
Thank God for Dougie Freedman!…Did better recruitment for us last season than any of our own recruitment team.
Freedman is Gallen's best friend. They played for the QPR Youth team together back in the day
I suspect our scouts did know about JRS . He scored against us in the PSF at the start of last season and looked exceptional.
Unbelievable - the only reason we got JRS is because he had a convoluted link to QPR. Seemingly a pre requisite for every single Gallen signing.
Don't know why we bother with the speculation in here. Just take a pull a list of ex-QPR players who have suffered a career altering injury in last 5 years and put a pin in it.
Tbf to Gallen his record with PL-loan players is more hit than miss. I remember reading that he had to persuade Bowyer to take Gallagher on. Gallen and Bowyer seemed to work really well together and our recruitment has really got a lot worse since he left, though maybe that’s because the Sandgaards got more involved…
Sandgaard then didn’t want to go the PL-loan route as he wanted to develop our own players and not other clubs, which maybe didn’t play to Gallens strengths as we signed a load of rubbish in summer 2021.
In general, I wouldn’t be too sad to see Gallen leave and a whole new recruitment team come in, but I suspect he will stay at least for the summer as he’s probably put a lot of work in already for our summer plans.
Whilst we are actually discussing recruitment, I have been, for a while, making a list of young players we should be keeping close tabs on. As you’ll see I tend to look for attacking players as they’re the more exciting ones, naturally… but of course we have to be careful not to stunt the development of our own players.
Leeds United U21:
Sonny Perkins - 19 years old - (forward) - Londoner who Leeds took from West Ham as part of their development squad. And they’ve got a great group of youngsters. A player who could be called upon if Leeds are to go down, but could also be a great signing for anyone at our level.
Mateo Joseph - 19 years old (forward) - Spanish born yet England U20 international joined Leeds from Espanyol just over a year or so ago. His record for U21 at Leeds is talented player who can operate as a 10.
Manchester City U21:
Adedire Mebude - 18 years old (forward) - Scottish U21 international who was born in London but is from Nigerian descent. Man City signed him from Rangers and he has scored and assisted for fun in the U21 PL2 this season. Extremely creative and is an out and out right winger who is right footed too, which makes a change.
Carlos Borges - 19 years old (forward) - a left footed left winger from Portugal. Arguably one of the very best of this list. For a winger his record at youth level is phenomenal, he’s also scored a hat-trick against Derby in the EFL Trophy in the season just finishing. He’s absolutely rapid and quite likely out of our reach.
Oscar Bobb - 19 years old - (midfielder) - another one from the Man City production line and one hell of a talent. Winning Man City’s Elite Development Squad player of the season, Bobb is a Norwegian U21 international attacking midfielder who can really pick a pass. Was expected to go out on loan in January but as Man City often do, wanted him to finish the campaign with their development team. Would be a real coup if we got him, that’s even if we are interested.
Chelsea U21:
Harvey Vale - 19 years old - (midfielder) - next big thing a couple years ago but not kicked on like Gallagher did. Yet to go on loan though but part of England U20 set up. Technically gifted and would be a Morgan replacement
West Ham United U21:
Divin Mubama - 18 years old - forward) - won FA Youth Cup, been part of the Europa Conference League squad at times, scored loads for U18 and U21. Left footed striker who runs in behind and offers something else. He also knows where the goal is which is always handy.
West Bromwich Albion U21:
Reyes Cleary - 19 years old - (forward) - left winger mainly yet can play in a number of positions and scored loads for the U21. An England youth international who played a couple of games in Championship last season but needs a full year playing. League One for a season could be what he needs.
Norwich City U21:
Abu Kamara - 19 years old - (forward) - Southeast London born left footed forward who started as a full back/winger and can play right across the front line. Out of contract in the summer and has scored goals at both U18 and U21 for a couple of years. At 19 he either needs to move on elsewhere for men’s football or sign a contract at Norwich and hope to break through.
Harvey Vale had a loan at hull this season but only played 2 games
Whilst we are actually discussing recruitment, I have been, for a while, making a list of young players we should be keeping close tabs on. As you’ll see I tend to look for attacking players as they’re the more exciting ones, naturally… but of course we have to be careful not to stunt the development of our own players.
Leeds United U21:
Sonny Perkins - 19 years old - (forward) - Londoner who Leeds took from West Ham as part of their development squad. And they’ve got a great group of youngsters. A player who could be called upon if Leeds are to go down, but could also be a great signing for anyone at our level.
Mateo Joseph - 19 years old (forward) - Spanish born yet England U20 international joined Leeds from Espanyol just over a year or so ago. His record for U21 at Leeds is talented player who can operate as a 10.
Manchester City U21:
Adedire Mebude - 18 years old (forward) - Scottish U21 international who was born in London but is from Nigerian descent. Man City signed him from Rangers and he has scored and assisted for fun in the U21 PL2 this season. Extremely creative and is an out and out right winger who is right footed too, which makes a change.
Carlos Borges - 19 years old (forward) - a left footed left winger from Portugal. Arguably one of the very best of this list. For a winger his record at youth level is phenomenal, he’s also scored a hat-trick against Derby in the EFL Trophy in the season just finishing. He’s absolutely rapid and quite likely out of our reach.
Oscar Bobb - 19 years old - (midfielder) - another one from the Man City production line and one hell of a talent. Winning Man City’s Elite Development Squad player of the season, Bobb is a Norwegian U21 international attacking midfielder who can really pick a pass. Was expected to go out on loan in January but as Man City often do, wanted him to finish the campaign with their development team. Would be a real coup if we got him, that’s even if we are interested.
Chelsea U21:
Harvey Vale - 19 years old - (midfielder) - next big thing a couple years ago but not kicked on like Gallagher did. Yet to go on loan though but part of England U20 set up. Technically gifted and would be a Morgan replacement
West Ham United U21:
Divin Mubama - 18 years old - forward) - won FA Youth Cup, been part of the Europa Conference League squad at times, scored loads for U18 and U21. Left footed striker who runs in behind and offers something else. He also knows where the goal is which is always handy.
West Bromwich Albion U21:
Reyes Cleary - 19 years old - (forward) - left winger mainly yet can play in a number of positions and scored loads for the U21. An England youth international who played a couple of games in Championship last season but needs a full year playing. League One for a season could be what he needs.
Norwich City U21:
Abu Kamara - 19 years old - (forward) - Southeast London born left footed forward who started as a full back/winger and can play right across the front line. Out of contract in the summer and has scored goals at both U18 and U21 for a couple of years. At 19 he either needs to move on elsewhere for men’s football or sign a contract at Norwich and hope to break through.
Harvey Vale had a loan at hull this season but only played 2 games
Indeed he did. With only featuring twice, can see how I missed the loan. He needs to drop to League One and have a solid season. Probably now in the same position as Lewis Bate was 12 months ago and he’s just played the majority of the season with Oxford.
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Well documented it was Ben Garner that wanted JRS. Tried getting him at Swindon
Think his name has been mentioned but Owen Moxon has 16 assists for Carlisle in league 2 this season. Watching their semi-final now and his set piece delivery is brilliant, something we’ve lacked for a couple of seasons now
Very decent player. 25 and a Decent size too and originally picked up for peanuts from Scotland - Annan Athletic iirc either him or Elliot Watt at Salford would improve our passing and ball retention. Watt came through at Wolves but made his name at Bradford last season before heading to Salford a year ago. Loads of assists and top of the L2 passing stats for numbers and accuracy
Both have the potential to significantly increase in value and should be worth a look - one is likely to be in our division after the playoffs
Mentioned Elliot Watt a little while back as someone we should target and has room for potential to go up and play Championship football. He’s a deep lying playmaker with one of, if not the most, forward passes in League Two. It’s how he has so many assists. Not the sideways stuff that we’ve become accustomed to.
My biggest frustration is I emailed his details to the club last June. His value has only gone up since then.
Think the club has missed out on a hell of a lot of decent players over the last couple of years, for many reasons.
Not willing to pay, not willing to take advice from others, not enough staff with knowledge and contacts, not enough staff out watching players from all levels, too much turnover in coaches, too much interference from those who don’t have the knowledge, I can go on.
I thought it was really disappointing when you said Gallen hadn't heard of Ellis Sims at Everton.
The club needs to be more aware of players doing well in the PL u21 leagues. There will be many potential loans, signings for fees and free transfers at that level who could improve us and in the case of those joining permanently, players who can grow with the club.
JRS was a brilliant loan for us, but we need more of that quality and we may have to look further than other London clubs to find them.
I've seen that Sunderland have moved their focus to younger players in the last few years and clubs like Lincoln overachieved partly due to their loan signings. Definitely an area for us to improve in.
That's actually pretty mind blowing really that he hadn't heard of a kid scoring regularly in the U21 league. I mean surely as director of recruitment at a league one club it's pretty much a given that you religiously follow Premier league U21 football?
Even more so post-Brexit when lower league clubs can't go abroad for signings.
Think his name has been mentioned but Owen Moxon has 16 assists for Carlisle in league 2 this season. Watching their semi-final now and his set piece delivery is brilliant, something we’ve lacked for a couple of seasons now
Very decent player. 25 and a Decent size too and originally picked up for peanuts from Scotland - Annan Athletic iirc either him or Elliot Watt at Salford would improve our passing and ball retention. Watt came through at Wolves but made his name at Bradford last season before heading to Salford a year ago. Loads of assists and top of the L2 passing stats for numbers and accuracy
Both have the potential to significantly increase in value and should be worth a look - one is likely to be in our division after the playoffs
Mentioned Elliot Watt a little while back as someone we should target and has room for potential to go up and play Championship football. He’s a deep lying playmaker with one of, if not the most, forward passes in League Two. It’s how he has so many assists. Not the sideways stuff that we’ve become accustomed to.
My biggest frustration is I emailed his details to the club last June. His value has only gone up since then.
Think the club has missed out on a hell of a lot of decent players over the last couple of years, for many reasons.
Not willing to pay, not willing to take advice from others, not enough staff with knowledge and contacts, not enough staff out watching players from all levels, too much turnover in coaches, too much interference from those who don’t have the knowledge, I can go on.
I thought it was really disappointing when you said Gallen hadn't heard of Ellis Sims at Everton.
The club needs to be more aware of players doing well in the PL u21 leagues. There will be many potential loans, signings for fees and free transfers at that level who could improve us and in the case of those joining permanently, players who can grow with the club.
JRS was a brilliant loan for us, but we need more of that quality and we may have to look further than other London clubs to find them.
I've seen that Sunderland have moved their focus to younger players in the last few years and clubs like Lincoln overachieved partly due to their loan signings. Definitely an area for us to improve in.
That's actually pretty mind blowing really that he hadn't heard of a kid scoring regularly in the U21 league. I mean surely as director of recruitment at a league one club it's pretty much a given that you religiously follow Premier league U21 football?
Even more so post-Brexit when lower league clubs can't go abroad for signings.
He was top scorer in the Prem U23's league at the time so it's shocking he didn't even know the guy's name.
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Well documented it was Ben Garner that wanted JRS. Tried getting him at Swindon
I know. But he was due to go to Oxford and “we” persuaded him and Palace that he should come to Charlton. I think it is unfair to blame all the shit on SG and credit others with the successful signings. SG is said to be the negotiator not the scout.
I would suggest that this makes him the person who got him over the line for us and is an example of how good he is at his job. I would be looking at who took over the decision making when they first changed his role.
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Well documented it was Ben Garner that wanted JRS. Tried getting him at Swindon
I know. But he was due to go to Oxford and “we” persuaded him and Palace that he should come to Charlton. I think it is unfair to blame all the shit on SG and credit others with the successful signings. SG is said to be the negotiator not the scout.
I would suggest that this makes him the person who got him over the line for us and is an example of how good he is at his job. I would be looking at who took over the decision making when they first changed his role.
If that's all true why did Gallen personally say he had watched Clare play and had personally seen Lavelle multiple times?
I find that and the fact "Steve and Martin are always out scouting", despite being at almost all our games very hard to believe.
As I said before it probably isn't Gallen's fault but the mixed messages that come out the club do no one, especially Gallen, any favours.
Holden strikes me as someone that will insist on having a big say on transfers.
We shall see
His public persona very much seems that way, and I have no reason to doubt what you say, but behind closed doors is another matter. Bowyer put on a very brave face with that raft of crap in Jan 2020
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Well documented it was Ben Garner that wanted JRS. Tried getting him at Swindon
I know. But he was due to go to Oxford and “we” persuaded him and Palace that he should come to Charlton. I think it is unfair to blame all the shit on SG and credit others with the successful signings. SG is said to be the negotiator not the scout.
I would suggest that this makes him the person who got him over the line for us and is an example of how good he is at his job. I would be looking at who took over the decision making when they first changed his role.
If that's all true why did Gallen personally say he had watched Clare play and had personally seen Lavelle multiple times?
I find that and the fact "Steve and Martin are always out scouting", despite being at almost all our games very hard to believe.
As I said before it probably isn't Gallen's fault but the mixed messages that come out the club do no one, especially Gallen, any favours.
Is Gallen at almost all our games? I don’t know, but I am sure I have read noise on here in the last few months around whether he even still works for the club as he had not been seen in ages.
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Well documented it was Ben Garner that wanted JRS. Tried getting him at Swindon
I know. But he was due to go to Oxford and “we” persuaded him and Palace that he should come to Charlton. I think it is unfair to blame all the shit on SG and credit others with the successful signings. SG is said to be the negotiator not the scout.
I would suggest that this makes him the person who got him over the line for us and is an example of how good he is at his job. I would be looking at who took over the decision making when they first changed his role.
If that's all true why did Gallen personally say he had watched Clare play and had personally seen Lavelle multiple times?
I find that and the fact "Steve and Martin are always out scouting", despite being at almost all our games very hard to believe.
As I said before it probably isn't Gallen's fault but the mixed messages that come out the club do no one, especially Gallen, any favours.
This all over
Any recruitment team that chased after Bonne so hard over both Summer and Jan windows needs changing Any new ownership needs to take a close look at the way the likes of Plymouth and Boltons recruitment team goes about their work
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Well documented it was Ben Garner that wanted JRS. Tried getting him at Swindon
I know. But he was due to go to Oxford and “we” persuaded him and Palace that he should come to Charlton. I think it is unfair to blame all the shit on SG and credit others with the successful signings. SG is said to be the negotiator not the scout.
I would suggest that this makes him the person who got him over the line for us and is an example of how good he is at his job. I would be looking at who took over the decision making when they first changed his role.
If that's all true why did Gallen personally say he had watched Clare play and had personally seen Lavelle multiple times?
I find that and the fact "Steve and Martin are always out scouting", despite being at almost all our games very hard to believe.
As I said before it probably isn't Gallen's fault but the mixed messages that come out the club do no one, especially Gallen, any favours.
Is Gallen at almost all our games? I don’t know, but I am sure I have read noise on here in the last few months around whether he even still works for the club as he had not been seen in ages.
They wasn't scouts.. Would have a network (or in Charlton case one or two) that would report back into them. Also totally different these days, with every game being broadcasted, they don't have to go to games.
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Well documented it was Ben Garner that wanted JRS. Tried getting him at Swindon
I know. But he was due to go to Oxford and “we” persuaded him and Palace that he should come to Charlton. I think it is unfair to blame all the shit on SG and credit others with the successful signings. SG is said to be the negotiator not the scout.
I would suggest that this makes him the person who got him over the line for us and is an example of how good he is at his job. I would be looking at who took over the decision making when they first changed his role.
If that's all true why did Gallen personally say he had watched Clare play and had personally seen Lavelle multiple times?
I find that and the fact "Steve and Martin are always out scouting", despite being at almost all our games very hard to believe.
As I said before it probably isn't Gallen's fault but the mixed messages that come out the club do no one, especially Gallen, any favours.
This all over
Any recruitment team that chased after Bonne so hard over both Summer and Jan windows needs changing Any new ownership needs to take a close look at the way the likes of Plymouth and Boltons recruitment team goes about their work
Plymouth is very data-led, they use a third party called MRKT Insights to support their recruitment team. The kind of people you want in charge of the data side of recruitment, probably slightly better than Martin Sandgaard!
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Well documented it was Ben Garner that wanted JRS. Tried getting him at Swindon
I know. But he was due to go to Oxford and “we” persuaded him and Palace that he should come to Charlton. I think it is unfair to blame all the shit on SG and credit others with the successful signings. SG is said to be the negotiator not the scout.
I would suggest that this makes him the person who got him over the line for us and is an example of how good he is at his job. I would be looking at who took over the decision making when they first changed his role.
If that's all true why did Gallen personally say he had watched Clare play and had personally seen Lavelle multiple times?
I find that and the fact "Steve and Martin are always out scouting", despite being at almost all our games very hard to believe.
As I said before it probably isn't Gallen's fault but the mixed messages that come out the club do no one, especially Gallen, any favours.
I would not disagree with you. He may have watched them. If he did he probably reported on their strengths and weaknesses etc. What we would not know is where they were on his list of targets. I doubt Bonne was anywhere near the top of any scouts list in January. He was probably the only striker on the list of free, cheap wages and has scored a goal.
Then it was down to which poor sod got the job of selling the player to the fans. Wasn’t that along the lines of “he was available, prepared to come, he maybe alright and please don’t boo him”.
We know that the Club has been run as cheaply as possible, and for me that is the reason for poor players, not the people who have been trying to do their best in the most difficult of circumstances. Hopefully, normal service will return very soon.
Whilst we are actually discussing recruitment, I have been, for a while, making a list of young players we should be keeping close tabs on. As you’ll see I tend to look for attacking players as they’re the more exciting ones, naturally… but of course we have to be careful not to stunt the development of our own players.
Leeds United U21:
Sonny Perkins - 19 years old - (forward) - Londoner who Leeds took from West Ham as part of their development squad. And they’ve got a great group of youngsters. A player who could be called upon if Leeds are to go down, but could also be a great signing for anyone at our level.
Mateo Joseph - 19 years old (forward) - Spanish born yet England U20 international joined Leeds from Espanyol just over a year or so ago. His record for U21 at Leeds is very good, a talented player who can operate as a 10.
Manchester City U21:
Adedire Mebude - 18 years old (forward) - Scottish U21 international who was born in London but is from Nigerian descent. Man City signed him from Rangers and he has scored and assisted for fun in the U21 PL2 this season. Extremely creative and is an out and out right winger who is right footed too, which makes a change.
Carlos Borges - 19 years old (forward) - a left footed left winger from Portugal. Arguably one of the very best of this list. For a winger his record at youth level is phenomenal, he’s also scored a hat-trick against Derby in the EFL Trophy in the season just finishing. He’s absolutely rapid and quite likely out of our reach.
Oscar Bobb - 19 years old - (midfielder) - another one from the Man City production line and one hell of a talent. Winning Man City’s Elite Development Squad player of the season, Bobb is a Norwegian U21 international attacking midfielder who can really pick a pass. Was expected to go out on loan in January but as Man City often do, wanted him to finish the campaign with their development team. Would be a real coup if we got him, that’s even if we are interested.
Chelsea U21:
Harvey Vale - 19 years old - (midfielder) - next big thing a couple years ago but not kicked on like Gallagher did. Yet to go on loan though but part of England U20 set up. Technically gifted and would be a Morgan replacement.
West Ham United U21:
Divin Mubama - 18 years old - forward) - won FA Youth Cup, been part of the Europa Conference League squad at times, scored loads for U18 and U21. Left footed striker who runs in behind and offers something else. He also knows where the goal is which is always handy.
West Bromwich Albion U21:
Reyes Cleary - 19 years old - (forward) - left winger mainly yet can play in a number of positions and scored loads for the U21. An England youth international who played a couple of games in Championship last season but needs a full year playing. League One for a season could be what he needs.
Norwich City U21:
Abu Kamara - 19 years old - (forward) - Southeast London born left footed forward who started as a full back/winger and can play right across the front line. Out of contract in the summer and has scored goals at both U18 and U21 for a couple of years. At 19 he either needs to move on elsewhere for men’s football or sign a contract at Norwich and hope to break through.
Good shout for Abu Kamara sage. He came on as sub late in the Blackpool game, can't remember him making much of an impact although thinking he was quite 'gangly'. Norwich city obviously rate him because they have extended his contract to 2025.
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Well documented it was Ben Garner that wanted JRS. Tried getting him at Swindon
I know. But he was due to go to Oxford and “we” persuaded him and Palace that he should come to Charlton. I think it is unfair to blame all the shit on SG and credit others with the successful signings. SG is said to be the negotiator not the scout.
I would suggest that this makes him the person who got him over the line for us and is an example of how good he is at his job. I would be looking at who took over the decision making when they first changed his role.
If that's all true why did Gallen personally say he had watched Clare play and had personally seen Lavelle multiple times?
I find that and the fact "Steve and Martin are always out scouting", despite being at almost all our games very hard to believe.
As I said before it probably isn't Gallen's fault but the mixed messages that come out the club do no one, especially Gallen, any favours.
Is Gallen at almost all our games? I don’t know, but I am sure I have read noise on here in the last few months around whether he even still works for the club as he had not been seen in ages.
They wasn't scouts.. Would have a network (or in Charlton case one or two) that would report back into them. Also totally different these days, with every game being broadcasted, they don't have to go to games.
Watching games on TV has no comparison to actually seeing a player live. No proper scout would do that.
Modern sport is very stats based, and analysts seem to be used everywhere.
So much of this data is publicly available that there ought to be a fairly level playing field between comparable clubs, as all should be looking similar numbers surely?
The TV pundits have access to a lot of this data, so they can say that Player X makes the highest number of threatening passes or makes the most overlaps.
That’s where the likes of Brighton and Brentford have got their edge over the years.
Yes all the data is publicly available (for a fee) but the clubs who pour serious resources into coming up with new in-house ways of combining the runs, the passses, the tackles & shots etc. can create more informative stats that no-one else has access to.
By going deeper to the second, third and fourth level of the data, they’re uncovering trends that the publicly available data won’t tell you.
The interesting thing though is that these things are never continually successful and there's always an element of luck. Rasmus Ankersen, the same man who did so much great recruitment at Brentford went to Southampton and is being primarily blamed for taking them down. Too many young players with the wrong attitudes brought in and too much focus in January on potential rather than present-day returns. He used the same systems but this time it fell flat. Much like how Les Reed was a genius at Saints until it fell apart and Walsh was a god at Leicester but is seen as part of the group that started Everton's decline into what they are now. Constant reinvention and a huge amount of fortune are needed no matter how good your data and scouting set up is
And indeed Gallen after bringing in Cullen, Bielik and Gallagher on loan...
…and then backing that up with Rak-Sakyi
Well documented it was Ben Garner that wanted JRS. Tried getting him at Swindon
I know. But he was due to go to Oxford and “we” persuaded him and Palace that he should come to Charlton. I think it is unfair to blame all the shit on SG and credit others with the successful signings. SG is said to be the negotiator not the scout.
I would suggest that this makes him the person who got him over the line for us and is an example of how good he is at his job. I would be looking at who took over the decision making when they first changed his role.
If that's all true why did Gallen personally say he had watched Clare play and had personally seen Lavelle multiple times?
I find that and the fact "Steve and Martin are always out scouting", despite being at almost all our games very hard to believe.
As I said before it probably isn't Gallen's fault but the mixed messages that come out the club do no one, especially Gallen, any favours.
Is Gallen at almost all our games? I don’t know, but I am sure I have read noise on here in the last few months around whether he even still works for the club as he had not been seen in ages.
They wasn't scouts.. Would have a network (or in Charlton case one or two) that would report back into them. Also totally different these days, with every game being broadcasted, they don't have to go to games.
Watching games on TV has no comparison to actually seeing a player live. No proper scout would do that.
A proper scout would do both. If you only watch games live you will probably see 5% (at a guess) of the players other teams are seeing. Nowadays you can watch every game a player has played all season from your laptop at home
Comments
Take a look at the video below. 2 mins in he says himself ‘I was lucky to be invited by Dougie to Palace vs Man Utd last season where Dougie said ‘look there’s the guy I’m trying to tell you to take’.
https://www.charltonafc.com/video/player/0_6pqzngc3
Thank God for Dougie Freedman!…Did better recruitment for us last season than any of our own recruitment team.
We shall see
I suspect our scouts did know about JRS . He scored against us in the PSF at the start of last season and looked exceptional.
Sonny Perkins - 19 years old - (forward) - Londoner who Leeds took from West Ham as part of their development squad. And they’ve got a great group of youngsters. A player who could be called upon if Leeds are to go down, but could also be a great signing for anyone at our level.
Mateo Joseph - 19 years old (forward) - Spanish born yet England U20 international joined Leeds from Espanyol just over a year or so ago. His record for U21 at Leeds is very good, a talented player who can operate as a 10.
Manchester City U21:
Adedire Mebude - 18 years old (forward) - Scottish U21 international who was born in London but is from Nigerian descent. Man City signed him from Rangers and he has scored and assisted for fun in the U21 PL2 this season. Extremely creative and is an out and out right winger who is right footed too, which makes a change.
Carlos Borges - 19 years old (forward) - a left footed left winger from Portugal. Arguably one of the very best of this list. For a winger his record at youth level is phenomenal, he’s also scored a hat-trick against Derby in the EFL Trophy in the season just finishing. He’s absolutely rapid and quite likely out of our reach.
Oscar Bobb - 19 years old - (midfielder) - another one from the Man City production line and one hell of a talent. Winning Man City’s Elite Development Squad player of the season, Bobb is a Norwegian U21 international attacking midfielder who can really pick a pass. Was expected to go out on loan in January but as Man City often do, wanted him to finish the campaign with their development team. Would be a real coup if we got him, that’s even if we are interested.
Chelsea U21:
Harvey Vale - 19 years old - (midfielder) - next big thing a couple years ago but not kicked on like Gallagher did. Yet to go on loan though but part of England U20 set up. Technically gifted and would be a Morgan replacement.
West Ham United U21:
Divin Mubama - 18 years old - forward) - won FA Youth Cup, been part of the Europa Conference League squad at times, scored loads for U18 and U21. Left footed striker who runs in behind and offers something else. He also knows where the goal is which is always handy.
West Bromwich Albion U21:
Reyes Cleary - 19 years old - (forward) - left winger mainly yet can play in a number of positions and scored loads for the U21. An England youth international who played a couple of games in Championship last season but needs a full year playing. League One for a season could be what he needs.
Norwich City U21:
Abu Kamara - 19 years old - (forward) - Southeast London born left footed forward who started as a full back/winger and can play right across the front line. Out of contract in the summer and has scored goals at both U18 and U21 for a couple of years. At 19 he either needs to move on elsewhere for men’s football or sign a contract at Norwich and hope to break through.
Don't know why we bother with the speculation in here. Just take a pull a list of ex-QPR players who have suffered a career altering injury in last 5 years and put a pin in it.
In general, I wouldn’t be too sad to see Gallen leave and a whole new recruitment team come in, but I suspect he will stay at least for the summer as he’s probably put a lot of work in already for our summer plans.
Even more so post-Brexit when lower league clubs can't go abroad for signings.
I think it is unfair to blame all the shit on SG and credit others with the successful signings. SG is said to be the negotiator not the scout.
I would be looking at who took over the decision making when they first changed his role.
I find that and the fact "Steve and Martin are always out scouting", despite being at almost all our games very hard to believe.
As I said before it probably isn't Gallen's fault but the mixed messages that come out the club do no one, especially Gallen, any favours.
Expect he's probably out of our league for next season regardless of what happens with Leeds.
Any recruitment team that chased after Bonne so hard over both Summer and Jan windows needs changing
Any new ownership needs to take a close look at the way the likes of Plymouth and Boltons recruitment team goes about their work
He may have watched them. If he did he probably reported on their strengths and weaknesses etc. What we would not know is where they were on his list of targets.
I doubt Bonne was anywhere near the top of any scouts list in January. He was probably the only striker on the list of free, cheap wages and has scored a goal.
Then it was down to which poor sod got the job of selling the player to the fans. Wasn’t that along the lines of “he was available, prepared to come, he maybe alright and please don’t boo him”.
We know that the Club has been run as cheaply as possible, and for me that is the reason for poor players, not the people who have been trying to do their best in the most difficult of circumstances.
Hopefully, normal service will return very soon.
He came on as sub late in the Blackpool game, can't remember him making much of an impact although thinking he was quite 'gangly'.
Norwich city obviously rate him because they have extended his contract to 2025.