Tottenham ‘Money Ball’ Hotspur

By Sibs (SibsTHFC)

Ok, stick with me on this one, as I know the title of the post implies I’m about to chat away about baseball and maths for a while.

For those that aren’t familiar Money Ball is the latest Brad Pitt film that will no doubt win an Oscar or two. It is based on the story of Billy Beane, the General Manager of the Oakland Athletic baseball team. No, I haven’t seen the film, read the book, or claim to have any knowledge of baseball, but I do know the basic premise of the film/story.

Beane set about building a competitive baseball team, based not on conventional thought about how the game should be played and the statistics that should be used, but on a new series of stats and analysis. This led to him fielding forgotten about players, and drafting players based on numbers, rather than the advice and thoughts of scouts.

The results worked.

There was a program on BBC 5 Live the other night, about Money Ball, and relating the story and working methods used to football. It was interesting that they used Scott Parker as a typical example of a Money Ball player. Someone who is getting on in years, was a cheap buy from an unfavourable, relegated team and was seemingly overlooked by ‘bigger’ (read more recently successful) clubs – just look at how he was the forgotten man at Chelsea.

They reeled of statistic after statistic about Scotty – basically for every relevant stat he was miles above the premier league average for an outfield player. Yet, he isn’t a glamour player, he is the engine room. He lets all the other player get on with the business of silky passes and sticking the ball in the back of the net.

As much as many fans hate his media antics, Redknapp was the man who wanted Parker. As much as Levy was the man who gave us Van Der Vaart. Both players a revelation. I know I’m covering ground that has been discussed elsewhere, but perhaps the reason that Redknapp has his ‘favourites’ is because he knows exactly what they are capable of, seeing the potential that others don’t and knowing how to push the metaphorical football buttons attached between their head, heart and feet to get them playing like another manager couldn’t.

Adebayor could be seen as another example. Just look at the way he ran around the pitch against Aston Villa. He was up front, playing deep in midfield, clearing the ball and running down the wings. Is this really the same player who Arsenal fans despised for his work rate?

Friedel too. Written off as too old by the vast majority of fans. Most expecting him to be backup to Gomes. These same fans would probably swap him for few other goalkeepers right now.

Now, I don’t think Harry spends hours looking over statistics, but he comes from the same kind of philosophy. The Wheeler Dealer tag, is actually something I don’t mind. I’d rather we get the odd player on a loan than spend silly money on Carroll and Torres.

Is there a point to this post? No. Not really. I’m just sat in Starbucks trying to kill time.