• Using Data to profile Burnley's squad and recruitment priorities

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 2:51 pm**

I've recently gotten into the whole football analytics thing and decided to give it a go myself with the extra time I have on my hands with no commute in the current situation so here's my first go at it. I've wrote a (rather long/wordy) breakdown of some data visualisations around what our players offer within our system to help spot gaps and target areas we need to reinforce as a priority.

https://claretmatt.medium.com/burnley-f ... 08f3b1a89b

If you hate xG this isn't for you but if the concept doesn't rub you up the wrong way and you've got some time (probably around 10 mins) then hopefully you'll find this interesting and I'd be grateful for any feedback.

Or if you can't be bothered to read the explanations but like the data viz then here's the squad profile dashboard I've created and wrote around, again feedback/questions welcome.

: Burnley FC Squad Profile 2021.png (426.84 KiB) Viewed 4611 times

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 3:38 pm**

Good stuff Matt.

I'm not sure there is the right audience for it on here though.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 3:46 pm**

Tall Paul wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 3:38 pm
Good stuff Matt.

I'm not sure there is the right audience for it on here though.

Thanks.

I know it won't be for everyone but since it's just about Burnley thought maybe some would find it worth their time.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:06 pm**

Before looking at the data, I’d get the club badge on rather than the old County Borough Coat of Arms.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:12 pm**

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:06 pm
Before looking at the data, I’d get the club badge on rather than the old County Borough Coat of Arms.

If it's really that important then I'll swap it out for you, does it need to say "Burnley Football Club" instead of the Latin for you to look at the data or are we talking the pre-Premier League one?

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:20 pm**

Mattster wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:12 pm
If it's really that important then I'll swap it out for you, does it need to say "Burnley Football Club" instead of the Latin for you to look at the data or are we talking the pre-Premier League one?

It is important in my view.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:21 pm**

Mattster wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:12 pm
If it's really that important then I'll swap it out for you, does it need to say "Burnley Football Club" instead of the Latin for you to look at the data or are we talking the pre-Premier League one?

there is also likely to be a copyright issue with the current badge

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:24 pm**

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:20 pm
It is important in my view.

Which one do you want then?

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:27 pm**

Mattster wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:24 pm
Which one do you want then?

I’d prefer to see the club badge on but it’s just my viewpoint

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:36 pm**

Now we've finished being side tracked by a badge, I think it's quite a good piece.
I don't agree with the snipe at the previous owners, because their transfer policy has overall worked out quite well.
We just struggle when we have injuries, like any club.

Interesting to see who does what with the ball etc, cheers for being bored enough to do that

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:38 pm**

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:27 pm
I’d prefer to see the club badge on but it’s just my viewpoint

As in the badge the club currently use or the pre-Premier League one? Tell you what, here's both since it's actually less effort than getting an answer.

: Burnley FC Squad Profile 2021 with fussy logo.png (475.96 KiB) Viewed 4262 times

: Burnley FC Squad Profile 2021 with fussy logo 2.png (393.94 KiB) Viewed 4262 times

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:39 pm**

Good effort in putting it together. Some interesting aspects. I agree with Sidney though about the unnecessary snipe at the former Chairman - it detrimentally impacts on your work.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:39 pm**

The bottom one is the current one, the top one was club badge from 1974 to 2010.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:40 pm**

In the ball progression bit are you meant to be talking about "passes received" or "passes made"? I'm assuming it's "made" given how high Westwood is up there.

Interesting to see how much more Rodriguez pressures the ball than Wood and Barnes (and how little "success" he has).

(And I agree with the comment that others have made re: the previous chairman.)

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:42 pm**

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:39 pm
The bottom one is the current one, the top one was club badge from 1974 to 2010.

Thanks. Got anything to say about the actual content now I've got the badges base covered?

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:43 pm**

I'm also impressed that you've taken the time to suggest viable transfer subjects and taken into account the immigration rules etc.

Good to see Brownhill getting the recognition for the good work he does, whilst also showing where he has to improve and acknowledging it's his first full season.

If Wood changed his game, do we think that would impact on his goal scoring record?

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:44 pm**

aggi wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:40 pm
In the ball progression bit are you meant to be talking about "passes received" or "passes made"? I'm assuming it's "made" given how high Westwood is up there.

Interesting to see how much more Rodriguez pressures the ball than Wood and Barnes (and how little "success" he has).

(And I agree with the comment that others have made re: the previous chairman.)

It's progressive passes made (well successfully completed, technically) on the x-axis. The size of the dot represents how many times they successfully receive one of those progressive passes.

So Westwood successfully completes the most progressive passes in our team by some distance but receives few of them himself.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:46 pm**

Mattster wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:44 pm
It's progressive passes made (well successfully completed, technically) on the x-axis. The size of the dot represents how many times they successfully receive one of those progressive passes.

So Westwood successfully completes the most progressive passes in our team by some distance but receives few of them himself.

He used to get absolutely battered when we first signed him, some people weren't willing to give him time to prove himself, unsurprisingly.
I think Dyche got battered over his signing for a fair while too.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:47 pm**

If you are able to get past the visuals and badge issue, the write up is very interesting and offers an insight which is not readily available.
I like the offered solutions and player suggestions too.
I would personally adjust the scouted player criteria to domestic lower leagues though.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:47 pm**

thanks for that Matt - first time I've read something stats based and not been bored stupid with it, and your conclusions carry some weight because you've justified it.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:15 pm**

benstone12 wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:47 pm
If you are able to get past the visuals and badge issue, the write up is very interesting and offers an insight which is not readily available.
I like the offered solutions and player suggestions too.
I would personally adjust the scouted player criteria to domestic lower leagues though.

Thanks!

I agree, would want to focus on domestic lower leagues however that data is much more expensive to access. FBRef is free, but only covers the "big 5" leagues (EPL, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A). Smarterscout I've paid a small membership to access Championship and some smaller top tiers around the world.

If I want lower domestic leagues data like that used in the graphs I'll need a wyscout subscription which runs to hundreds of pounds.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:22 pm**

Interestingly OP and clearly lots of effort and thought gone into it.

I have copied the allegedly controversial comments below and have to say can't see what people are complaining about. Maybe if he had put "in the last 2 years " before his neglect comment, all/most clarets would agree.

"As I’ve already said, Burnley’s squad depth is the worst in the Premier League and we have one of the oldest squads too following seasons of neglect under our previous Chairman as he sought to pad the club’s bank balance (and, as we found out, ultimately his own pockets when that bank balance was used to fund the sale of the club). That we’ve managed to stay up whilst this has been going on is testament to the fantastic management of Sean Dyche and the determination and mentality of our players. Not to mention a bit of luck that most of our key players have managed to stay injury free."

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:32 pm**

Think this is brilliant, well done that man!
I don't know what the obsession about Garlick is with some fans, yes he did a good job but ultimately you've called it as it is. Lack of investment when money was available and now it's gone. Do people want us to tip toe round the situation!

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:33 pm**

summitclaret wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:22 pm
Interestingly OP and clearly lots of effort and thought gone into it.

I have copied the allegedly controversial comments below and have to say can't see what people are complaining about. Maybe if he had put "in the last 2 years " before his neglect comment, all/most clarets would agree.

"As I’ve already said, Burnley’s squad depth is the worst in the Premier League and we have one of the oldest squads too following seasons of neglect under our previous Chairman as he sought to pad the club’s bank balance (and, as we found out, ultimately his own pockets when that bank balance was used to fund the sale of the club). That we’ve managed to stay up whilst this has been going on is testament to the fantastic management of Sean Dyche and the determination and mentality of our players. Not to mention a bit of luck that most of our key players have managed to stay injury free."

Agreed.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:36 pm**

Conroy92 wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:32 pm
Think this is brilliant, well done that man!
I don't know what the obsession about Garlick is with some fans, yes he did a good job but ultimately you've called it as it is. Lack of investment when money was available and now it's gone. Do people want us to tip toe round the situation!

Ironic considering the obsession from a group of fans determined to drag Garlicks name through the mud.

I think we've gone over it enough though tbh, let's not get this thread locked as the work done by Matt is very good overall.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:38 pm**

Very well written and put together that Matt.

I know the recruitment section is focussed on the analytics but the other key factor for our club is the player's character and likelihood to fit into the squad, that of course can't be measured.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:41 pm**

Mattster wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:44 pm
It's progressive passes made (well successfully completed, technically) on the x-axis. The size of the dot represents how many times they successfully receive one of those progressive passes.

So Westwood successfully completes the most progressive passes in our team by some distance but receives few of them himself.

That's what I thought but the axis on the graph says received which is a bit confusing.

How did you get the data from FBRef, is there a feed on there somewhere?

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:43 pm**

summitclaret wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:22 pm
Interestingly OP and clearly lots of effort and thought gone into it.

I have copied the allegedly controversial comments below and have to say can't see what people are complaining about. Maybe if he had put "in the last 2 years " before his neglect comment, all/most clarets would agree.

"As I’ve already said, Burnley’s squad depth is the worst in the Premier League and we have one of the oldest squads too following seasons of neglect under our previous Chairman as he sought to pad the club’s bank balance (and, as we found out, ultimately his own pockets when that bank balance was used to fund the sale of the club). That we’ve managed to stay up whilst this has been going on is testament to the fantastic management of Sean Dyche and the determination and mentality of our players. Not to mention a bit of luck that most of our key players have managed to stay injury free."

It's an objective view in an article that's trying to be subjective with the use of stats, etc. Whether you agree with the premise or not it detracts from the rest of it.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:45 pm**

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:36 pm
Ironic considering the obsession from a group of fans determined to drag Garlicks name through the mud.

I think we've gone over it enough though tbh, let's not get this thread locked as the work done by Matt is very good overall.

Why the hell would the tread be locked because someone gives a reasonable view on our recruitment. If it is locked, it will the sort of thing that leads to the end of this forum.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:49 pm**

“Burnley FC Squad Profile 2021 with fussy logo 2.png (393.94 KiB) Viewed 255 times“

Mugged him right off there!!

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:50 pm**

summitclaret wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:45 pm
Why the hell would the tread be locked because someone gives a reasonable view on our recruitment. If it is locked, it will the sort of thing that leads to the end of this forum.

I'm saying we should stop batting it back and forth, about Garlick because it will just end in an argument that detracts from the good work done by Matt.

It wasn't that difficult to grasp.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:06 pm**

Tall Paul wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 3:38 pm
Good stuff Matt.

I'm not sure there is the right audience for it on here though.

I for one love this stuff! Looking forward to more folks diving into it! I have some friends who run a pretty cool outfit called Overthinking Football and they dive into similar work as well.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:07 pm**

bodge wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:38 pm
Very well written and put together that Matt.

I know the recruitment section is focussed on the analytics but the other key factor for our club is the player's character and likelihood to fit into the squad, that of course can't be measured.

Very true and another thing missing is video analysis of the players, since they could look great on paper but be completely unsuitable in reality but again access to the clips would set me back more than I can afford.

Can't really comment on character of these players myself for obvious reasons. In terms of attitude on the pitch Hamer and Doan are certainly hard workers and team players, Hamer is an aggressive player which may not be expected from a Dutch-Brazilian

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:32 pm**

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:50 pm
I'm saying we should stop batting it back and forth, about Garlick because it will just end in an argument that detracts from the good work done by Matt.

It wasn't that difficult to grasp.

You started it. It's your responsibility. Not that hard to grasp is it.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:35 pm**

aggi wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:41 pm
That's what I thought but the axis on the graph says received which is a bit confusing.

How did you get the data from FBRef, is there a feed on there somewhere?

You can get FBRef site to show the data in csv format which I paste into notepad then save as a .csv and use an online convertor to turn it into .xcl format which can then be uploaded to Tableau Public (free) to create the graphs.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:35 pm**

summitclaret wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:32 pm
You started it. It's your responsibility. Not that hard to grasp is it.

Yawn.
I also suggested we stop it, so shush and go play somewhere else, you're boring me now.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:40 pm**

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:35 pm
Yawn.
I also suggested we stop it, so shush and go play somewhere else, you're boring me now.

Who do you think you are? Your not getting the last word as well. This post stops it.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:43 pm**

Very interesting and instructive. Seems a valuable contribution. Well done.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:44 pm**

The company I work for designed and set up all the measurement and analytics for Ajax. It was a very interesting project in that the exercise was not so much the usage of the actual player/playing data that you might think in terms of match day performance, but from the business perspective of analyzing enterprise resource (players) and how to realize the best ROCE.

As such the focus was not on the first team but on the academy. Given match day revenue would always be limited (Not having large attendances) then revenue from producing and selling players is a core aspect of the business model. Here, player analytics for business, not team performance

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:46 pm**

NRC wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:44 pm
The company I work for designed and set up all the measurement and analytics for Ajax. It was a very interesting project in that the exercise was not so much the usage of the actual player/playing data that you might think in terms of match day performance, but from the business perspective of analyzing enterprise resource (players) and how to realize the best ROCE.

As such the focus was not on the first team but on the academy. Given match day revenue would always be limited (Not large attendances) then revenue from producing and selling players is a core aspect of the business model

Is that something you think we should do more of here?

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:49 pm**

I’m expecting that specifically out of the new management. It’s their business model (performance analytics). You can use it three ways
- team performance
- the business of player development for transfer value
- recruitment for both of the above

I’m personally anticipating the arrival of a number of players that will never see the first team

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:52 pm**

NRC wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:44 pm
The company I work for designed and set up all the measurement and analytics for Ajax. It was a very interesting project in that the exercise was not so much the usage of the actual player/playing data that you might think in terms of match day performance, but from the business perspective of analyzing enterprise resource (players) and how to realize the best ROCE.

As such the focus was not on the first team but on the academy. Given match day revenue would always be limited (Not having large attendances) then revenue from producing and selling players is a core aspect of the business model. Here, player analytics for business, not team performance

That sounds much more of interest to ALK - just the kind of thing they are looking to do at our club

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:54 pm**

The one area of intrigue for me is how to capitalize on the college system in the US. The trick is getting around the stringent rules of receiving professional considerations, be that payment or even interest from a professional club, because of the potential impact on their college status and any academic financing they receive as students.

If anyone would know how to work this, it would be our new management

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:56 pm**

I know we wanted to look at a player when we did pre-season in the US a few years ago, but couldn’t because of the negative impact on the player’s college (amateur) status

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:09 pm**

NRC wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:49 pm
I’m expecting that specifically out of the new management. It’s their business model (performance analytics). You can use it three ways
- team performance
- the business of player development for transfer value
- recruitment for both of the above

I’m personally anticipating the arrival of a number of players that will never see the first team

Sounds like City/Chelsea then

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:02 pm**

I haven't read the txt but regarding the visual....and this is no criticism of you effort....there is nothing that stands out beyond what I'd expect something like this to look.
Without want to dismiss you work , its a bit like, "well yeah! We know who creates chance"

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:12 pm**

alboclaret wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:02 pm
I haven't read the txt but regarding the visual....and this is no criticism of you effort....there is nothing that stands out beyond what I'd expect something like this to look.
Without want to dismiss you work , its a bit like, "well yeah! We know who creates chance"

It's a fair comment, we all know Burnley quite well for obvious reasons but still I felt there were some surprises and insights to gain from it (which I go into in the writeup) such as how little Brownhill is involved in moving the ball forward, just how much Westwood stands out from our other midfielders, Jay's ineffective pressing and Ben Mee & Charlie Taylor's limited proactive defending quantity/quality (from a statistical perspective).

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:25 pm**

Mattster wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:42 pm
Thanks. Got anything to say about the actual content now I've got the badges base covered?

Could you do one with a “cartoony” version of the badge with a picture of Homer Simpson on too please.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:34 pm**

Clearly a great deal of work has been put into this. I’m not a huge one for in-depth stats but I found your ideas interesting all the sane. Thank you for sharing.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:09 pm**

Thanks Mattster - it read very well, better than I expected from the initial post. You told a story and led the reader through thoughtful insights in a compelling way. As has already been said, and I understand your response, it would be great to see more relatable lower league transfer targets.

Were you considering registering your interest in data/analytics positions at the club? Did you do it in the end? Did you get any helpful feedback?

Using Data to profile Burnley's squad and recruitment priorities

Using Data to profile Burnley's squad and recruitment priorities

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