Post by El Goodo on Sept 2, 2024 10:46:04 GMT
Part of me wonders if we actually give too much say to our manager/head coach in terms of their targets or types of player they want. Forget Strang for a minute – I'd be interested to know how our recruitment team is actually structured & what we do in terms of scouting & analytics to identify targets.
It's pretty easy for Bristol or Peterborough (or indeed anyone) to see what the likes of Stokes or Conn-Clarke are doing in the Conference; it's another for Aldershot to pick up Stokes from Sudbury (ironically coming onto Widdrington's radar thanks to the data fella that Barton sacked from Bristol for not being able to do 10 keepy-ups or whatever it was), or Crawley Kelly from FC Tulsa or Tanimu from Singida Black Stars.
The signings of the likes of Bennett, Jobe, Yakubu, even going back to Brown and Darling etc, show we do clearly do have our nose around the local area, even though obviously there are people we miss out on (although that's always going to be the case), but what about beyond that?
I think the most overlooked and crucial question in terms of developing players and selling them on, which everyone seems to agree is something we need to start doing with regularity, isn't why can't we find these players & develop them – because recent history with the likes of Mitov, Knibbs, Knoyle, Smith, Bennett + potentially players like Jobe & McConnell has shown that we absolutely can – but why aren't we in a position where we feel it makes sense to sell them when the opportunity arises (that comes down to having a pipeline or plan for replacements) or why can't we persuade them to sign contract extensions when they're into the final 12 or 18 months of their deal? Are we able to present ourselves properly as a club to develop players & where we'll be a good stepping stone or not stand in their way when offers come in? Is it purely down to wages? Or is it where we are as a club in terms of being a small fish in a fairly sizeable pond & the reality of that being less attractive, having proven your ability at this level as a player, than running down your deal and seeing what other offers there are?
Likely it's a combination of all of those + many other factors too.
It's pretty easy for Bristol or Peterborough (or indeed anyone) to see what the likes of Stokes or Conn-Clarke are doing in the Conference; it's another for Aldershot to pick up Stokes from Sudbury (ironically coming onto Widdrington's radar thanks to the data fella that Barton sacked from Bristol for not being able to do 10 keepy-ups or whatever it was), or Crawley Kelly from FC Tulsa or Tanimu from Singida Black Stars.
The signings of the likes of Bennett, Jobe, Yakubu, even going back to Brown and Darling etc, show we do clearly do have our nose around the local area, even though obviously there are people we miss out on (although that's always going to be the case), but what about beyond that?
I think the most overlooked and crucial question in terms of developing players and selling them on, which everyone seems to agree is something we need to start doing with regularity, isn't why can't we find these players & develop them – because recent history with the likes of Mitov, Knibbs, Knoyle, Smith, Bennett + potentially players like Jobe & McConnell has shown that we absolutely can – but why aren't we in a position where we feel it makes sense to sell them when the opportunity arises (that comes down to having a pipeline or plan for replacements) or why can't we persuade them to sign contract extensions when they're into the final 12 or 18 months of their deal? Are we able to present ourselves properly as a club to develop players & where we'll be a good stepping stone or not stand in their way when offers come in? Is it purely down to wages? Or is it where we are as a club in terms of being a small fish in a fairly sizeable pond & the reality of that being less attractive, having proven your ability at this level as a player, than running down your deal and seeing what other offers there are?
Likely it's a combination of all of those + many other factors too.