Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Banana

Banana

Admin
Joined
7 Apr 2000
Messages
119,876
Reaction score
84,018
Location
London

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Looks like Ted Knutson may have left. BFC and FCM removed from his Twitter profile and has posted this:

Ted Knutson ‏@mixedknuts 35minutes ago
Has a snippet of personal news in there to explain "Why is this idiot* posting on StatsBomb again?"

*Other than This Idiot owns the site​
 
Last edited:

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Banana said:
Looks like he may have left. BFC and FCM removed from his Twitter profile and has posted this:

Ted Knutson ‏@mixedknuts 35minutes ago
Has a snippet of personal news in there to explain "Why is this idiot* posting on StatsBomb again?"

*Other than This Idiot owns the site​
Click to expand...

That's sudden then as no indication in that Opta interview.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Her refers to 'the now defunct Football Analytics Team during my days at Smartodds (Brentford and FC Midtjylland)'
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Indeed....

"What follows is a design diary for how this idea developed from a frustration to something that was used constantly by the now defunct Football Analytics Team during my days at Smartodds (Brentford and FC Midtjylland)."
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Seems there has been much upheaval at Smartodds:

"What follows is a design diary for how this idea developed from a frustration to something that was used constantly by the now defunct Football Analytics Team during my days at Smartodds (Brentford and FC Midtjylland)."

http://statsbomb.com/2016/03/design-diary-mk-shot-maps/
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Ahem. I got criticised when I mentioned that personnel were in the market a week ago. Perhaps I should have been less subtle.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

jlove said:
Ahem. I got criticised when I mentioned that personnel were in the market a week ago. Perhaps I should have been less subtle.
Click to expand...

I just went back and reviewed that post - there are no replies criticising it that I immediately saw.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

He has posted on Twitter :- 1) No hard feelings about any of this. I loved working with Matthew Benham and thanked him for giving me a chance to do this.
2) I don't intend to comment further on Brentford or FCM other than to cheer them on.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

I am paranoid but going into work. Just want our Bees to win through
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Pauly Paul said:
Seems there has been much upheaval at Smartodds:

"What follows is a design diary for how this idea developed from a frustration to something that was used constantly by the now defunct Football Analytics Team during my days at Smartodds (Brentford and FC Midtjylland)."

http://statsbomb.com/2016/03/design-diary-mk-shot-maps/
Click to expand...


..........................................if the stuff that is in this piece is the sort of stuff that was delivered to the team/management in the team hotel 2 hours before the game, it's no wonder that everyone was mesmerised by it all - they were probably still trying to take it all in when the final whistle blew!.....................................sorry if that offends, but MHO






Edit - do I hope he gets employment with any of our upcoming opponents, or do I hope he doesn't? - I don't honestly know!
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

What is going on exactly? Something is clearly amiss.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Banana said:
I just went back and reviewed that post - there are no replies criticising it that I immediately saw.
Click to expand...
True... maybe I was sensitive to something like "let's not discuss this", or similar.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Just asking, but given that rules have changed about club owners not being allowed to bet on football, could that be a reason for the 'now defunct' part of the football analytics?

May be not, but either way a lot of these behind the scenes rumours are starting to paint not a promising picture...
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Guildford Bee said:
What is going on exactly? Something is clearly amiss.
Click to expand...
BFC "comes out" as MB admits we use stats to try to get a competitive advantage.
BFC creates all sorts of hilarity among so-called football pundits for being very silly.
BFC reaches a league position beyond the expectations of said pundits.
God-like manager of BFC is sacked for being successful despite the use of stats... according to the pundits.
A statistician and a foreigner with a pony-tail are appointed to create a team of statistical analysts to buy the players, find a patsy head coach, pick the team and instruct the players by text.
Unfortunately, they decide to offer any player worth over £2.50 to whoever will buy them.
It does not go very well in results and, more significantly, in the Twittersphere.
The statistical analysts are quietly taken to a dark corner of Jersey Road and executed.

I think that's it.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Invipai said:
Just asking, but given that rules have changed about club owners not being allowed to bet on football, could that be a reason for the 'now defunct' part of the football analytics?
Click to expand...

I think MB covered this in his Q&A session on the GPG a couple of years ago. Given that Ted Knutson was employed by MB long after that Q&A session I can't see how it is relevant.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Guildford Bee said:
What is going on exactly? Something is clearly amiss.
Click to expand...

I imagine that it just didn't work for whatever reason. This department was clearly only there for FCM and our benefit, MB and Smartodds were making money a long time before this 'new' department was implemented. So if you are worried Smartodds/MB are making people redundant because they are struggling, then I think you have nothing to worry about. The football betting industry is growing all the time, as is the demand for data.

Given ours and FCM's league performances this season, the ability of MB to realise things need changing ASAP is very reassuring and a positive thing IMO.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Was Ted Knutson involved in our 'Player Identification for Recruitment'. If so am I correct in thinking that there will be a major change in this respect as far as future signings are concerned or is the Analytics Department just for match statistics?
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

TadB said:
Was Ted Knutson involved in our 'Player Identification for Recruitment'. If so am I correct in thinking that there will be a major change in this respect as far as future signings are concerned or is the Analytics Department just for match statistics?
Click to expand...

It certainly included the former. So, yes, it looks as if there will be changes in this area.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Thanks for that. I had never heard of him before I thought that chap Robert Rowan did that stuff for us.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

its still all b***ocks,though
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Adam said:
I imagine that it just didn't work for whatever reason. This department was clearly only there for FCM and our benefit, MB and Smartodds were making money a long time before this 'new' department was implemented. So if you are worried Smartodds/MB are making people redundant because they are struggling, then I think you have nothing to worry about. The football betting industry is growing all the time, as is the demand for data.

Given ours and FCM's league performances this season, the ability of MB to realise things need changing ASAP is very reassuring and a positive thing IMO.
Click to expand...

I remember seeing an interview with MW about a month or so after it came out he would be leaving end of the season. He was very complimentary about the stats methodology and the fact that Brentford were fortunate to have access to the best data available. However, He said that for him, he felt the club wanted to rely on and extend ithe use of the stats a bit too far
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Isn't this what everyone wanted?
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

:no: :sad:
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Not sure I understand the significance of this. Is it an acknowledgement by MB that statistics, as a tool, is not as helpful to us as first perceived?
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

....would have thought it made sense to let this chap go.....if as MB suggested the emphasis will be to bring in players from the UK and ireland in the future......maybe the manager has suggested that a return to a more traditional recruitment methods is in BFC's best interests.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

I am concerned although don't begin to understand the full story here. If it's a question of losing a good asset, well, nobody's irreplaceable. If it's a signal that MB is drawing the conclusion that some of our philosophies aren't working, then I do wonder where else we will find the competitive advantage we need to continually punch above our weight.

MB can't be a cash cow forever.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

It could just be a question of, having run a well-resourced analytics team across both clubs for a year, now understanding exactly what is required, in combination with Smartodds' resources, and cutting our cloth accordingly.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

All above my head........will go with the flow and what ever Mr Benham decides..........COYR!
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Babbelfish said:
Not sure I understand the significance of this. Is it an acknowledgement by MB that statistics, as a tool, is not as helpful to us as first perceived?
Click to expand...
The significance is around money I think.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Les Beeavinu said:
The significance is around money I think.
Click to expand...

Les.....with all due respect , there is so much speculation on here about.............well everything........are you saying that Mr B is pulling the purse strings tighter.
Just asking before all the "alarmists" start......cheers bud.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

jlove said:
It could just be a question of, having run a well-resourced analytics team across both clubs for a year, now understanding exactly what is required, in combination with Smartodds' resources, and cutting our cloth accordingly.
Click to expand...

Hope so. It's obviously tempting to look at our poor run of form over the last few months and ask: how has the analytics team added value? And then to conclude that it hasn't, and that furthermore FCM's experience this year is hardly supportive of the analytics approach , and then to reason that MB has reappraised its value, and then to think that the business model does not work. And then to think : where does that leave us? Very bad thoughts
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

WarrenBee said:
This is clearly above my head, but what exactly were the "Football Analytics Team" employed to do?

:confused: :confused:
Click to expand...

Search the player database for potential targets. Also for potential coaches.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Hard to believe Benham has suddenly decided analytics doesn't work. Either he is not happy with exactly how it is being implemented and the role of this 'analytics team' or it is a cost cutting measure. Who can know for sure? I am not one who advocates a full return to 'traditional' methods as it is clear how much stats have helped us so far and also clear (to me at least) that the teams that best use statistics are likely to be the most successful in the future.

We have the best possible chairman to help us in this and I'm happy to just trust his judgement on this for now.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

wanderer paul said:
Search the player database for potential targets. Also for potential coaches.
Click to expand...

Tongue in cheek........lol.........I think Mr B has a F.A.T. on this forum, without cost........mind you if he took notice of half of it, we would need ten Mr B's.....lol
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Les Beeavinu said:
The significance is around money I think.
Click to expand...

Very much so. I think he has hit the wall and been reminded of such by his business partners. Difficult time. He like us will be pulling hard for our squad to pull us through. He is still our leader and would like to hear him bang his shield.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Lush55 said:
Les.....with all due respect , there is so much speculation on here about.............well everything........are you saying that Mr B is pulling the purse strings tighter.
Just asking before all the "alarmists" start......cheers bud.
Click to expand...

No alarmism. Lionel Road needs to move and he needs our support
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

jbee said:
Hard to believe Benham has suddenly decided analytics doesn't work. Either he is not happy with exactly how it is being implemented and the role of this 'analytics team' or it is a cost cutting measure. Who can know for sure? I am not one who advocates a full return to 'traditional' methods as it is clear how much stats have helped us so far and also clear (to me at least) that the teams that best use statistics are likely to be the most successful in the future.

We have the best possible chairman to help us in this and I'm happy to just trust his judgement on this for now.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but where's the proof that stats have helped us? Even on a basic level, wasn't the Head Coach to be informed by text message of player stats during a game so he can make significant substitutions? I haven't seen any evidence of progression using stats; please remind me with specific examples.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Shoot me down in flames then. But are we to assume the entire project was a failure and almost total horse sh*t or have I misunderstood this season be totally crap. Where's Nick on this ?
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Les Beeavinu said:
Why isn't it?
Click to expand...

It's entirely logical to spend more money on alternative ways to beat wealthy opposition which is still a fraction of spending huge money on players that might not work out.

How do you know Benham isn't planning spending more on better analytics? He's already make serious money out of analytical systems and probably realised other clubs have caught up so let's improve and better ours.

Maybe Dean Smith wants something different to what's being offered? That's logical to me.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

rhprice said:
Shoot me down in flames then. But are we to assume the entire project was a failure and almost total horse sh*t or have I misunderstood this season be totally crap. Where's Nick on this ?
Click to expand...
The great thing about football is there's always next season. :)
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

Silly Chip said:
Sorry, but where's the proof that stats have helped us? Even on a basic level, wasn't the Head Coach to be informed by text message of player stats during a game so he can make significant substitutions? I haven't seen any evidence of progression using stats; please remind me with specific examples.
Click to expand...
Moses, Jota, Tarks and many more etc. We also look like we might score from set pieces unless you are pretending we only started using stats this season, otherwise stats have helped us hugely over the past few seasons but this one hasn't gone to plan.
 

Football Analytics Team 'defunct' (Merged Thread)

malagakid said:
It's entirely logical to spend more money on alternative ways to beat wealthy opposition which is still a fraction of spending huge money on players that might not work out.

How do you know Benham isn't planning spending more on better analytics? He's already make serious money out of analytical systems and probably realised other clubs have caught up so let's improve and better ours.

Maybe Dean Smith wants something different to what's being offered? That's logical to me.
Click to expand...
So it might be logical then. :)
 
226 More Posts...
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom