Comments on: Is Alex Ferguson A Nut?

By: The Gaffer

The Gaffer — Sun, 13 May 2007 11:44:00 +0000

Charles:

Looks like the EPL Talk readers answered your question. I knew they would!

Just a few additional comments:

1. Most of the clubs in the Premiership use software called ProZone (reviewed in the EPL Talk Magazine, issue 2 I believe). The software allows teams to view a smorgasbord of stats.

2. But often, seeing a match in person is better. Fergie probably wanted to see the way how AC Milan lined up with his own eyes. Plus, as previously mentioned, he was probably scouting Owen Hargreaves.

Excellent questions. Other readers, feel free to e-mail your football-related questions to thegaffer[AT]epltalk[dot]com and I can post them here for other readers to respond.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 11 May 2007 20:30:00 +0000

I used to shoot and manage coaching video for an American college football team. We shot independently from the TV cameras, who tended to shoot a bit tighter than we would (we would keep all 22 players in the shot no matter what happened) in order for the coaches to see the spacing and tactics better.

I don’t know if they do something similar in the Premiership but the matches I’ve seen on TV would almost be shot too tightly for some coaches. Being in person would be the best way to see everything if a suitable video were not available.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 11 May 2007 18:50:00 +0000

Anonymous…you pissy Brit, maybe all the stupid f****** yanks, like the Glazers, should take their American dollars away from the a**hole-of-the earth known as Manchester, and let someone like Roman come in.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:36:00 +0000

Man united (scum) are not MANCHESTER.

By: BillEShears

BillEShears — Fri, 11 May 2007 15:03:00 +0000

I think that there are arguments to be made for Ferguson being a bit batty (see goal celebrations). However, I don't think traveling to watch the other Champions League Match was one of them.

I think most other managers do the same or similar. Jose Mourinho traveled to Eastern Europe at a midweek to check out a stadium where Chelsea would be playing a CL match. Arsene Wenger goes to everything...even Brazil friendlies. A Monday match in the Premiership will usually have quite a few other managers at it. So I don't think that it is necessarily out of the ordinary.

Even if he is a bit crazy, it is hard to argue with the results he puts up.

By: riocharlie

riocharlie — Fri, 11 May 2007 13:58:00 +0000

I suspect he was taping up Hargraeves, and if you had to live in Manchester youd take any and every chance to get on a plane and get outta there.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 11 May 2007 13:27:00 +0000

Yeah, the Gaffer has the patience of a saint.

Fergie's backroom team will have gone through all the tapes/analyses of Milan's play & tactics. No doubt he was there in the flesh to spot something that might make the difference. Didn't work this time.

TT

By: Joe Ginto

Joe Ginto — Fri, 11 May 2007 13:15:00 +0000

Gaffer, you're the best. Love your approach.

I have thought the same thing myself about live scouting for games. More important than just 'seeing the game live' though, I think, is getting a chance to talk to different players/coaches/contacts in the area.

Do professional teams employ much in the way of advance scouting like american baseball and football teams do?

By: The Gaffer

The Gaffer — Fri, 11 May 2007 13:05:00 +0000

Please refrain from swearing and idiotic comments otherwise I'll need to turn the anonymous posting off.

The gentleman has a valid question. So if you have an appropriate response, please post it.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 11 May 2007 11:48:00 +0000

…you gotta be kidding me…