Information is power. And this is especially true in the realm of football statistics. The football industry uses statistical analysis in a variety of different ways, including improving player performance, scouting, injury prevention, as well as the team’s overall quality of play.
It’s been a long journey getting to where we are in the modern game when it comes to integrating statistics. Technological advancements like data storing software, and the ability to display data clearly on an LED display like the ones we supply here at Scanlite, have made statistics a major staple of everyday life at professional football clubs.
So far, our work has already helped Footballing royalty like Manchester City FC, and Liverpool FC elevate the way in which they display statistical analysis. It’s a huge part of the modern game – and here’s why it’s only getting more important with time.
The rise of statistical analysis in football
The first real advocate of statistics in football came in the form of Royal Air Force accountant Charles Reep, who started collecting and analysing football based data after the Second World War. His findings concluded that the majority of goals scored in games came from moves which involved no more than three passes, and as a result, the long ball theory was born.
The influence of Reep’s work on the modern game can’t be understated. Interestingly though, his theory was later proved to be inaccurate by Jonathan Wilson, who concluded that Reep’s analysis showed that 91.5% of moves in the games he studied had 3 passes or fewer and that logically, this would mean that 91.5% of all goals would come from moves with 3 passes or fewer. Now, Wilson pointed out that the problem wasn’t with Reep’s collection of data, but rather with the way in which he interpreted it.
Wilson’s findings proved that data alone isn’t enough to gain a competitive edge – the ability to interpret it is just as important, if not more so. As a result, the role of data analysts has become increasingly important to the game over the years. So, where have these findings got us to in regards to statistical analysis in the modern day?
How statistics are used in football today
Statistics are used for a variety of different reasons within professional football clubs today. Here are a few of the main ones!
Scouting
Large statistical databases allow scouts to search for players more quickly and efficiently. This saves clubs an incredible amount of time and money, as the scout can filter their search down to a select number of players, meaning they can more easily asses which players are worth going to watch.
Training
More and more football teams are using statistical analysis in order to gain a competitive advantage over their opponents. Wearable technology that monitors things like the distance covered by players and the positions they occupy on the pitch help coaches build specific training sessions around players to ensure that they’re performing at the highest possible level. As a result of these tailored training strategies, players are also far less likely to get injured throughout the season.
Punditry and commentary
It’s not just the teams who benefit from statistics, commentary teams and pundits use statistics to increase the entertainment value for their viewers. Pundits on shows like Monday Night Football (MNF) use statistics to provide play-by-play explanations, discuss predictions, and provide context to their comments made during a game.
It’s plain to see that statistics now play a massive role in the way in which the beautiful game is played and enjoyed by fans. They provide great options for analysis, and this is made even more prevalent when incorporated into visual mediums like our LED screens.
Whatever you’re looking for from your own screens though, whether it’s a visual medium for statistical analysis or something else entirely, you can rest assured that we’ll offer you the very best in LED screen technology here at Scanlite. We know our digital signage solutions inside out, including the many ways in which it can be used to achieve your goals as a business, so to find out how we can help you, feel free to give us a call today on 01253 302723, or email us on sales@scanlite.co.uk.
