11/17/24
February 20, 2017
The Table Never Lies: Are Brentford one of the first Moneyball-era football clubs, and can they make it work?
Interesting that Brentford got rid of its academy. I understand the logic, but I would think eventually it would mean having to rely on transfers to pick up older teens to develop for the first team.
posted by jjzucal at 07:36 PM on February 23, 2017
Or late developers/rejects from PL clubs. I think that's the plan.
posted by owlhouse at 08:45 PM on February 23, 2017
As a Sheffield Wednesday fan I've been questioning the logic of having so many youth players. In four years I've yet to see one become a significant first team contributor (Liam Palmer would be an exception but that happened slightly before my time).
I like what Brentford is doing with a second-chance squad. When you see the players who fall off the map at the top two levels of English football, it seems like some of them could still be making a contribution. I've been amazed that Kevin Nolan didn't find another gig after West Ham dropped him in 2015 at age 32. He's now player-coaching in League Two.
posted by rcade at 05:30 PM on February 25, 2017
I like their approach and would love to see them get into the PL.