Sky Bet EFL 2020/21

[Gorka]

Judging from the winning goal and online comments, Bobby Madley was dead set on making sure Newport didn't get promoted.

[Lineker]

A thread on Brentford worth reading:

 

[gunnar hendershow]

That's an interesting read. Moneyball is a really interesting concept and the Oakland A's basically survived because they embraced the concept 20+ years ago. It makes a fair amount of sense to try at a football club, especially in lower leagues where margins are so tight. Their approach is almost identical to Oakland's in finding low-cost options who will play above their cost, so it definitely deserves the moniker of Moneyball.

Of course what happened in baseball is once Oakland had sustained success all the teams with deeper pockets started embracing analytical concepts, first it was Boston then the Dodgers and then the Yankees. If Brentford give teams in the PL fits and stay in the league for a few years I'd fully expect to see Man City, etc adopt a similar approach which would unfortunately take away a lot of the competitive advantage of Brentford using these Moneyball tactics.

[Bobfoc]

Notts County are now owned by an analytics company and have been using their data to inform their signings. It seems like a good system, and examples like Brentford and Barnsley give me a glimmer of hope for the future.

[Adam]

Analytics and in-depth data-driven structures in the managerial area of football clubs is the way forward. Brentford have done it tremendously so far, as have Barnsley after bringing on Billy Beane (yes, Brad Pitt in the movie) as an investor, and I agree that so long as the clubs who are bold enough to do it now continue to do it well, it will quickly become much more commonplace in the domestic game.

[DavidMarrio]

Well look at Liverpool for as an example. Analytics and data has been a big part of our recruitment strategy...it didn't work at first with the likes of Charlie Adam and Downing signing but the structure behind how our transfers work has developed as well and Michael Edwards has been a big part. 

We've spent some money on signings but look at the likes of Robinson and Wijnaldum, both signed from relegated teams and yet been vital players for us over the years. Mane signed from Southampton, Salah from Roma etc. 

Brentford and Barnsley have done a cracking job over the last few seasons. Brentford have been on the verge of being promoted the last few seasons and Barnsley getting the playoffs is a big achievement. Thought that was a really interesting thread! 

[Lineker]

Morecambe have already lost their manager! Derek Adams has quit in order to remain in League Two - taking over at Bradford.

[Gorka]

Andre : ( 

[Lineker]

Good news about Geoff Bony though. What a name.

[Gorka]

Yeah, that's Wilfried's kid. 

The family is still based here, that's why Wilf was training with Newport County not too long back.

[Lineker]

Quote

A jury trying the Bristol Rovers manager, Joey Barton, over an accusation he assaulted a rival football manager during his time at Fleetwood Town has been discharged by a judge who said things were getting “lost in translation” over a cross-national video link.

Barton, 38, denies assaulting the former Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel, occasioning him actual bodily harm, after a League One match between Barnsley and Fleetwood in April 2019.

His trial began on Monday and Mr Stendel began giving evidence on Tuesday about the alleged incident, over a video link from a courtroom in Hanover, in Germany. But, after more than hour of translation difficulties between Sheffield crown court and Germany, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC told the jury: “It is just not right to struggle on.”

He told the panel: “Unfortunately this morning I became increasingly concerned that things are getting lost in translation. He is a critical witness in this case. It’s not fair to him and not fair to anyone in this case.”

Judge Richardson said it was not anybody’s fault that the trial had to be halted, but was a consequence of the extraordinary measures put in place due to the pandemic.

He said a new trial date would be fixed after it could be worked out how to bring Mr Stendel to the UK to give his evidence. But the judge pointed out that the trial had already been postponed for a year because of Covid and was the oldest case on Sheffield crown court’s books. He said counsel in the trial would look at the legal situation to see if an exception to current travel bans could be made in the “service of justice”.

Barton, who played for a number of teams including Manchester City, Newcastle United and Burnley and is now Bristol Rovers manager, sat in the dock listening to proceedings wearing a dark suit, white shirt and navy tie.

He was given unconditional bail and the case was adjourned until Wednesday for a new trial date to be explored.