'Hearts need more bang for their buck from Jamestown Analytics this time'
The next Hearts manager will be identified, scrutinised, and put forward by one of the most advanced and world-renowned analytical models in sports. But just how much pressure are Jamestown Analytics under to get this appointment right?When Neil Critchley was appointed in mid-October, Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay was keen to emphasise that "the analytics only guide us," but also referenced the fact that "Neil was the preferred candidate from an analytics perspective and also when we spoke to him".McKinlay also said Critchley would be the ideal candidate to work within a club that now had access to the data modelling used by Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise.Now, though, the numbers have to add up for the Hearts board after Critchley lasted just six months before being jettisoned."I'm quite optimistic about the Jamestown Analytics, think it's a good thing for Hearts to try, but the Critchley experiment probably wasn't the best advertisement for it," The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan said on the Scottish Football Podcast."I think Hearts should be looking for a bit more bang for their buck when it comes to Jamestown Analytics' intervention this time."I think they would be looking for them to come up with somebody who might be better suited to the Scottish game because it is a peculiar environment, isn't it?"Former defender Maurice Ross, who has both played and managed in Scotland, reckons analytics has its place when recruiting players but is a "bizarre" tool to use when identifying suitable candidates to lead a side.He said: "When it comes to managers, [it's a] totally different, totally different kettle of fish. "How do you quantify leadership skills? How do you quantify the ability to gather a group? And by the way, I'm saying this about a club like Hearts, you're dealing with 40 people, not just playing staff."You've got the office staff, the groundstaff, how do you manage all these people? How do you quantify that? You cannot."And I think it's a bizarre, bizarre thing that's creeping into our game. And if that model is so great, why has he lasted six months?"
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Powys County Times
15 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Willie Mullins eyeing famous Ascot success with Reaching High
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South Wales Guardian
29 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Willie Mullins eyeing famous Ascot success with Reaching High
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Scottish Sun
35 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Four Rangers cult heroes conquer Britain's highest peak alongside fans in gruelling charity climb
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