*Official* English Football Season 2013-14

[Neil Pickup]

Wonder if Januzaj will be the next Giggs or the next Macheda?

 

[Uppercut]

I read Soccernomics / Why England Lose a couple of years ago and it's an interesting read: one bit that sticks in the mind is the analysis of footballing strength being (over-)concentrated in post-industrial areas as opposed to semi-rural or traditionally better-off areas. Goes some way to explaining why places like the West Country, for all their population, don't (and arguably won't) support a top-level side.

Yeah there's some interesting stuff in there. Also how the amount of money a team spends on players makes no difference when you control for the money they spend on wages.

There's one bit in particular that sticks out as very dated- they talk about how players under 5"8 can't realistically become top-level footballers. It's not their main point but it's funny how soon it looks stupid.

 

[Uppercut]

Wonder if Januzaj will be the next Giggs or the next Macheda?

Next Pogba maybe. He hasn't signed a new contract.

 

[grecian]

Yeah the kid looked really decent, hard to judge at this stage though, surprised Moyes did it, the way he kept Barkley back made me think he wasn't going to give yoof a chance, but good on him.

 

[Furball]

Yeah there's some interesting stuff in there. Also how the amount of money a team spends on players makes no difference when you control for the money they spend on wages.

There's one bit in particular that sticks out as very dated- they talk about how players under 5"8 can't realistically become top-level footballers. It's not their main point but it's funny how soon it looks stupid.

No they don't, their point was that poor people from poor countries (ie Africa) will struggle to reach their potential because they'll be malnourished growing up. It's nothing to do with height per se.

 

[Pothas]

Have had that book sitting on the shelf for a good year now, must read it at some point.

 

[grecian]

oh noes the pretentious celty duo, lets all get excited about defending that doesn't actually defend to prove how superior we are, are arguing, how will we know what to think.

 

[grecian]

c'mon lads whack on the footie league show, there'll be some decent goals from a proper derby soon.

 

[grecian]

Pretty pish coverage as normal, ho-hum.

TBF we really should mention Paul Wooton, played today, and played in his first devon derby 16 years before, you really do have to admire someone, despite your club links, for being an almost total **** for all that time. kudos

 

[BoyBrumby]

Wonder if Januzaj will be the next Giggs or the next Macheda?

The next Owen Hargreaves, if Woy gets his way:

England trying to scab Januzaj.

 

[Furball]

Doesn't that breach the agreement the Home Nations have?

 

[GIMH]

Doesn't that breach the agreement the Home Nations have?

How old is he and how long as he been here?

 

[Uppercut]

Not long enough, I heard. Needs to have had 5 years of education.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah looks to me like it would breach the agreement. Dunno.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I was under the impression the agreement only applied to players who were qualified for other home nations already like Shawcross and Rhodes?

 

[Scaly piscine]

Yeah the kid looked really decent, hard to judge at this stage though, surprised Moyes did it, the way he kept Barkley back made me think he wasn't going to give yoof a chance, but good on him.

Yes that seems to be a British thing, holding youth back and massively overestimating the importance of experience. It's bad enough in cricket but particularly ludicrous in football when experience has essentially neutral value in the overwhelming majority of situations.

 

[Cevno]

Think Barkley was held back a bit due to his leg break. Probably had to be a bit over careful with him after that and he said so himself recently. Feels Physically much stronger and ready this season.

Anyways, hope we see Zaha now in the near future as well at least as a impact Sub.

 

[Uppercut]

Yes that seems to be a British thing, holding youth back and massively overestimating the importance of experience. It's bad enough in cricket but particularly ludicrous in football when experience has essentially neutral value in the overwhelming majority of situations.

When Barkley did play for Everton last season he was very obviously not yet up to it.

I don't know if they overvalue experience or the general opinion of players just lags a few years behind their actual ability. There's sort of an idea of "proven quality" or "permanent class" as opposed to "temporary" form, a line which is entirely imaginary and results in people taking years to accept that the good Torres isn't coming back.

But experience is clearly important in some contexts. Look at how badly teams always do in their first season of CL football.

 

[grecian]

Ben Bradshaw replied to my tweet about Exeter City.

Make him the next leader of the Party immediately.

 

[Scaly piscine]

When Barkley did play for Everton last season he was very obviously not yet up to it.

I don't know if they overvalue experience or the general opinion of players just lags a few years behind their actual ability. There's sort of an idea of "proven quality" or "permanent class" as opposed to "temporary" form, a line which is entirely imaginary and results in people taking years to accept that the good Torres isn't coming back.

But experience is clearly important in some contexts. Look at how badly teams always do in their first season of CL football.

Because they generally aren't that good and get a harder draw. You're either good enough or you're not. Most good players tend to be experienced because they're good players and so get lots of games. Then 'pundits' come along and use a very primitive version of 'correlation implies causation' logic.