In January this year, the Lion City Sailors recruited Daniel Lau as their Data Analyst. This article in LCS’s official website talks about how he turned from a fan to a data analyst, a job he loves doing. His job scope includes identifying talents and potential signings for the Sailors through analysing videos of matches.
The question here is do other clubs have their own data analyst as well? If no, is this the right way to go in order to improve the standards of local football?
My opinion is more clubs should come onboard with this approach. In addition to identifying talents, clubs and coaches should also use data to do an in-depth analysis of matches to improve performance. Brainstorming is then needed to decide what data should be collected. For example, think of how we can put numbers to players’ attributes like in games. Think of how we can gather exclusive data like number of complete passes, part of the pitch where the ball is mostly played on etc. These data could do wonders once we have them. We can safely say these data are not readily available. Even the SPL website has limited statistics to show. Someone has to do it!
This is still just an idea. Should there be aspiring or current Data Scientists willing to help our local football clubs at a little to no cost, do come forward and meet up with them. Let the discussion lead to something never tried before (at least I never knew of) in Singapore football. Other countries are already doing it. Liverpool is one of them. Why not us? Same question as why is our only professional league still not adopting VAR? It is time for the next team of FAS Council Members to really think of ways to progress Singapore football, not lag behind.
Cost may be the excuse.
Till next time, support local football!
thesgfootballscene.com 