Deco

[Maradona37]

Looks like one of those that Palace, Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth will buy from the Belgian league in a year or two.

Big lad, 20, scores for fun with the technique and touch of Woltemade on coke.

Yeah he seems destined for one of those four. They love these guys from lesser leagues that are just read to take the next step. I am sure he would do well there like the likes of Mbeumo, Semenyo, Outtarra, Mateta, Mitoma etc have.

 

[Maradona37]

@Porque

Btw those four clubs deserve to do very well in England. It's a shame the 'elite clubs' take all the good players they scout

Those four clubs' stories are much more enjoyable to follow than the more boring 'big six' pish.

 

[Porque]

@Porque

Btw those four clubs deserve to do very well in England. It's a shame the 'elite clubs' take all the good players they scout

Those four clubs' stories are much more enjoyable to follow than the more boring 'big six' pish.

Indeed. But the gambling money takes the allure off it a bit for me.

Well, for 2/3 of them.

But the scouting. Fair dues. I think the biggest thing they showed is that the data first approach can work.

Wenger was a very basic model of this, but he was still going to traditional leagues and players he knew from the French Academies.

Brighton went next level with the obscure markets. Had a mate who coached there and said the way they looked at football opened his eyes to a different way of looking at football.

 

[Maradona37]

Indeed. But the gambling money takes the allure off it a bit for me.

Well, for 2/3 of them.

But the scouting. Fair dues. I think the biggest thing they showed is that the data first approach can work.

Wenger was a very basic model of this, but he was still going to traditional leagues and players he knew from the French Academies.

Brighton went next level with the obscure markets. Had a mate who coached there and said the way they looked at football opened his eyes to a different way of looking at football.

That's true, I just mean on the pitch. Obviously off it they're dodgy like all football clubs in the elite leagues.

Yeah data can work. I have always said that stats have their place - but they need to be used in an intelligent way. Most fans use stats in completely the wrong way. Whereas clubs like Brighton know how to use them effectively and contextualise them. That's why it has helped them become more successful.

Those clubs will never be at the top of the English game like Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea are. Their ceiling is more Europa League. But that is very interesting to watch and I get a lot of satisfaction out of watching smaller clubs who don't win anything but upset the big boys. As @Birdy said in another thread (somewhat confrontationally), the smaller, non-elite clubs are a huge part of football, in fact they comprise the majority of clubs. Without them there is no game and it's good to watch them do well when some of them do.

People who think the likes of Brighton and Palace are non-entities who should just exist to feed Liverpool and Arsenal etc aren't in football for the right reasons, imo. It's not just about winning big trophies - Brighton and Brentford don't win anything but their fans will be loving the journey they are on and where they have come from.

 

[Porque]

That's true, I just mean on the pitch. Obviously off it they're dodgy like all football clubs in the elite leagues.

Yeah data can work. I have always said that stats have their place - but they need to be used in an intelligent way. Most fans use stats in completely the wrong way. Whereas clubs like Brighton know how to use them effectively and contextualise them. That's why it has helped them become more successful.

Those clubs will never be at the top of the English game like Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea are. Their ceiling is more Europa League. But that is very interesting to watch and I get a lot of satisfaction out of watching smaller clubs who don't win anything but upset the big boys. As @Birdy said in another thread (somewhat confrontationally), the smaller, non-elite clubs are a huge part of football, in fact they comprise the majority of clubs. Without them there is no game and it's good to watch them do well when some of them do.

People who think the likes of Brighton and Palace are non-entities who should just exist to feed Liverpool and Arsenal etc aren't in football for the right reasons, imo. It's not just about winning bit trophies - Brighton and Brentford don't win anything but their fans will be loving the journey they are on and where they have come from.

Yeah. They know their roles in the current football hierarchy, and how to both stay in the EPL at a competitive level and sell their talents.

Can see Bournemouth not having the staying power, but the two London based clubs (and Palace more so potentially because of heritage) do have a chance to break into and stay in that top 8. Again purely out of being in the London diaspora, and being able to grow out that fanbase financially.

Back to Ngoura. Another nice goal at youth level. Reminds me of Freddie Kanoute who didn't end up elite tier, but had some magic in him.

 

[Maradona37]

Yeah. They know their roles in the current football hierarchy, and how to both stay in the EPL at a competitive level and sell their talents.

Can see Bournemouth not having the staying power, but the two London based clubs (and Palace more so potentially because of heritage) do have a chance to break into and stay in that top 8. Again purely out of being in the London diaspora, and being able to grow out that fanbase financially.

Back to Ngoura. Another nice goal at youth level. Reminds me of Freddie Kanoute who didn't end up elite tier, but had some magic in him.

Yeah you're right on all that. Great point about London diaspora, you talk about the power of London financially and all the good players coming out of there too. I think the other two Bs can still benefit from that being in the south of England and on the south coast. They can still benefit from some of the great players in the south. But yeah, I think Bournemouth will eventually start to fall, sadly.

Lol at all the ping pong football and up and unders in that video. But when the ball comes to him great skill to get himself into position for a lovely finish. Will keep an eye on this guy - it's not often you see such a technically good guy who is 6 foot 3. It might be the videos as videos can be misleading, but if he's like that generally then he's one to look out for in future.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Can't afford them, but also have to keep in mind there are not superstars available.

Yet, this is what the fans expect. They don't expect a prospect to replace Lewa.

Deco is being real here, Ferran or 3 dynamic attackers (call it false 9 or whatever) are more likely to be the way to go next year.

Barca is already tracking someone like Bro Hansen from Bodo Gilmet, Etta Young etc. But those aren't going to start next year.

 

[Barcaman]

Barca most dominant season happened with a false 9, not a no9.

Treble seasons happened with #9. Eto'o and Suarez. 2006 CL win with Eto'o as well.
Came close last season with a #9 too.
But yeah, Messi is really an anomaly.