Interesting. article.......Especially how he uses the

[USAF]

"Moneyball" approach to find/evaluate professional players, and his approach with academy/youth players.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/0...ir-weight-word

[Don1]

This stats-focused approach is fine ...IF:

* The country is large and it's a logistical nightmare to see & evaluate all good prospects

* Most kids are in an acceptable technical/tactical development environment where conditions are good & substantially similar across the board

However if the environment is (as in JA's case):

* Tiny....and all the best prospects can easily be seen & re-seen in an islandwide trip lasting a week or 2. EVERYBODY IS WITHIN A 3 HOUR CAR RIDE

* No prospect player is benefiting from a well organized development program...and they mostly play in their competitions against dregs on dreadful surfaces

....In that environment spending lots of time collecting, collating & evaluating so-called statistics upon which to base player selections....is MONUMENTAL folly and a complete waste of time

Job 1:

* Implement a credible national development program which can keep together & improve the best players around

Job 2:

* Spend time in the field searching for and evaluating players for those with the most potential and recruit them into said national development program...when that is done and players are on a level playing field....statistical collection & analysis makes eminent sense

It's not rocket science....But mebbe it is considering the "debate" on this really elementary subject

[Paul Marin]

"Moneyball" approach to find/evaluate professional players, and his approach with academy/youth players.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/0...ir-weight-word

It didn't work at Liverpool. Henderson, Adam and Downing were among the top 5 in goal scoring assists before the transfer committee bought them. What works in one set up is not necessarily going to work in another. And of course, there are the managers.

[USAF]

I think that's why Stewart said he doesn't use analytics for academy/youth players. He uses a personal approach, getting to know the player & providing the tools to help with his development on & off the field.

[USAF]

No! But I guess Stewart is sticking with it since he has had success with it.

[Don1]

I think that's why Stewart said he doesn't use analytics for academy/youth players. He uses a personal approach, getting to know the player & providing the tools to help with his development on & off the field.

Yes....many mek statistics mix dem up..

Garbage In & Garbage Out