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On 29/07/2019 at 12:19, Dr Koop said:

I've used it for the past five seasons as I live overseas. (And buy a season ticket for other people to use.) 

Well done to you. What an amazing man.

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On 25/07/2019 at 12:47, velo army said:

What's this about algorithms and AI? Did Caldwell allow a computer to pick his team or are you chaps just being sardonic?

No, not sardonic - just cynical. Caldwell has obviously watched the film Moneyballs (about baseball and the introduction of algorithm-generated buying and selling decisions) but ignored how Germany was chased out of the newly expanded World Cup in 2018. (The computers had to be transported back to Germany, which revealed the extensive use of statistical analysis.)

Gaming leagues (as opposed to knockout cups) by calculating spending against winning combinations of players isn't really feasible in Scotland, unless it's one of a range of techniques for the big two to gain over each other. For most clubs, the parameters are too wide to allow predictions (weather, injuries, forced sales, etc.) and forming a team from disparate individuals, as McNamara did, takes a human understanding of what works. (That flair had/has its downside, of course, as we've seen.) If AI could win football, China would have been a world champion long ago, but instead its football is a morass of corruption and failed/renamed clubs.

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8 minutes ago, Mediocre Pundit said:

Have I missed something - apart from a strange reference to moneyball in the takeover speculation, has there been any serious suggestion that this is Caldwell’s primary method of player recruitment and team selection?

Pretty much. The Thistle Das seem to be obsessed that he had a PowerPoint presentation at his job interview and haven't let go since.

He does use analytics but most teams do to varying degrees. There may be elements of that in player recruitment. Williamson would be a good example in that he seems to have the right attacking elements for the fullback position despite suffering a couple of bad injuries.

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As already mentioned, the commonly applied definition of moneyball as applied to baseball or any of the American sports where analytics are used to identify underpriced players  or hidden gems doesn't really work in Scottish football outside possibly the arse cheeks.

If anything, Caldwell's recruitment has been the opposite of "moneyball", with a nucleus of guys aged 30+ who have been over the course at this level succesfully before -Anderson, Cardle, Fox & Miller have all won this league and de Vita has won promotion from it, Harkins has never won it but played in it successfully for many years and McDonald was still a class above it at 35 years old.  

Edited by Fuctifano
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2 hours ago, Fuctifano said:

As already mentioned, the commonly applied definition of moneyball as applied to baseball or any of the American sports where analytics are used to identify underpriced players  or hidden gems doesn't really work in Scottish football outside possibly the arse cheeks.

If anything, Caldwell's recruitment has been the opposite of "moneyball", with a nucleus of guys aged 30+ who have been over the course at this level succesfully before -Anderson, Cardle, Fox & Miller have all won this league and de Vita has won promotion from it, Harkins has never won it but played in it successfully for many years and McDonald was still a class above it at 35 years old.  


The transfer of Liam Linsday wasn't moneyball, but more a kickintheballs

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9 hours ago, Mediocre Pundit said:

Have I missed something - apart from a strange reference to moneyball in the takeover speculation, has there been any serious suggestion that this is Caldwell’s primary method of player recruitment and team selection?

This was the spirit of my question. A lot of people here are talking about moneyball and how it isn't a fit for scottish football, but nobody seems to have used the method at all. 

His recruitment seems pretty Lambie-esque. Journeyman pros who have been over the course. 

 

 

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7 hours ago, velo army said:

His recruitment seems pretty Lambie-esque. Journeyman pros who have been over the course. 

 

 

Then this has been countered by the signings of Williamson, Mansell, Robson and to a degree Austin as well as the loan signings of Hazard, McMillan and Palmer.

Also 3 or 4 development players are now in the first team squad with Galasso and Wilson getting bit parts over the last few games.

That's in conjunction with Penrice being an ever present, Fitzpatrick getting more game time and a move down South and Sneddon vying for the starting goalkeeping spot.

Overall I'm happy enough with the balance of the squad and the experience levels there.

I can see another 3 or 4 being added with a mix of loans and maybe a more experienced player seeking more first team opportunities.

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From WAT

Members of the Jags Trust Board met with David Beattie (Chairperson) and Gerry Britton (CEO) at Firhill on 30 July 2019.

DB thanked The Trust for the support given to the proposal to change the composition of the Board of PTFC Ltd.

The JT noted that it seemed to have gone relatively quiet on the new ownership front and that much of the hype has died away ….. for the time being!

We were reassured that the Scottish Football authorities were going through a process of due diligence, exploring issues associated with inter league dual-ownership etc and that to do this properly does take time.

DB & GB confirmed this work was an ongoing and that the potential new ownership is still very much alive.

We discussed the business model proposed by the aspiring new owners, which has been tried and tested elsewhere, and it was felt that it had the potential to be “transformational for Thistle”.

David and Gerry brought us up to date with the other work carried out by the new Board over the last three weeks:

  • Discussions had taken place with the administrative staff and Team Management re-roles, responsibilities and targets.
  • The office has seen some familiar faces return. Essential work is being carried out by those with the necessary expertise and a suitable skills mix has been created.
  • The development of Thistle’s training ground continues to be a “work in progress”.
  • Information about the PTFC Charitable Trust was given and of the decision that they are the Clubs “chosen charity for season 2019-2020”.
    The Charitable Trust has access to grants and through these are able to support amputee football; kids framed football; projects for those who face addiction issues or are homeless etc.
    The Beatson had been the previously chosen charity.
  • Fan Engagement was being promoted through meetings with representatives of the two Supporters Trusts.
    It was the Club’s hope that a closer working relationship between the two Supporters Trusts can be developed.
  • General matters – Footfall during the Betfred Cup had increase, though Season ticket and Hospitality uptake were marginally down by comparison with this stage of last season. The Centenary Fund is an ongoing fundraiser for the Club and offers an opportunity for members to win a car (twice a year) & cash prizes each month.
  • Club Open Day Saturday 10 August 2019, 11 – 3:30pm - open training session of both the men’s and women’s teams and stalls.
    More details on the Club website.

The meeting and the nature of the discussions were viewed as positive by The Jags Trust and we look forward to re-establishing a closer working relationship with the new(ish) Board and to ongoing dialogue on matters of mutual interest and concern.

 
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3 minutes ago, jagfox99 said:

From WAT

Members of the Jags Trust Board met with David Beattie (Chairperson) and Gerry Britton (CEO) at Firhill on 30 July 2019.

DB thanked The Trust for the support given to the proposal to change the composition of the Board of PTFC Ltd.

The JT noted that it seemed to have gone relatively quiet on the new ownership front and that much of the hype has died away ….. for the time being!

We were reassured that the Scottish Football authorities were going through a process of due diligence, exploring issues associated with inter league dual-ownership etc and that to do this properly does take time.

DB & GB confirmed this work was an ongoing and that the potential new ownership is still very much alive.

We discussed the business model proposed by the aspiring new owners, which has been tried and tested elsewhere, and it was felt that it had the potential to be “transformational for Thistle”.

David and Gerry brought us up to date with the other work carried out by the new Board over the last three weeks:

  • Discussions had taken place with the administrative staff and Team Management re-roles, responsibilities and targets.
  • The office has seen some familiar faces return. Essential work is being carried out by those with the necessary expertise and a suitable skills mix has been created.
  • The development of Thistle’s training ground continues to be a “work in progress”.
  • Information about the PTFC Charitable Trust was given and of the decision that they are the Clubs “chosen charity for season 2019-2020”.
    The Charitable Trust has access to grants and through these are able to support amputee football; kids framed football; projects for those who face addiction issues or are homeless etc.
    The Beatson had been the previously chosen charity.
  • Fan Engagement was being promoted through meetings with representatives of the two Supporters Trusts.
    It was the Club’s hope that a closer working relationship between the two Supporters Trusts can be developed.
  • General matters – Footfall during the Betfred Cup had increase, though Season ticket and Hospitality uptake were marginally down by comparison with this stage of last season. The Centenary Fund is an ongoing fundraiser for the Club and offers an opportunity for members to win a car (twice a year) & cash prizes each month.
  • Club Open Day Saturday 10 August 2019, 11 – 3:30pm - open training session of both the men’s and women’s teams and stalls.
    More details on the Club website.

The meeting and the nature of the discussions were viewed as positive by The Jags Trust and we look forward to re-establishing a closer working relationship with the new(ish) Board and to ongoing dialogue on matters of mutual interest and concern.

 
  •  

Thanks for this, any communication from the Club has to be an improvement over the recent season.

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1 hour ago, jagfox99 said:

The office has seen some familiar faces return. Essential work is being carried out by those with the necessary expertise and a suitable skills mix has been created.

Assume this means some of the folk made redundant have been taken back on as contractors or temps

Other than that, doesn't really say much especially about why the new business model has the potential to be "transformational" 

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Assume this means some of the folk made redundant have been taken back on as contractors or temps
Other than that, doesn't really say much especially about why the new business model has the potential to be "transformational" 
I thought it was a reference to David Kelly.
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24 minutes ago, Nizzy said:
7 hours ago, Fuctifano said:
Assume this means some of the folk made redundant have been taken back on as contractors or temps
Other than that, doesn't really say much especially about why the new business model has the potential to be "transformational" 

I thought it was a reference to David Kelly.

Was worried we'd offered Miles Storey a role as office junior.

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