Is the Moneyball approach is a feasible approach for success in Football (Soccer)? An analysis of Brentford’s adoption of a statistical approach

Callaghan Doyle, Liam (2022) Is the Moneyball approach is a feasible approach for success in Football (Soccer)? An analysis of Brentford’s adoption of a statistical approach. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This paper will look to identify whether not Brentford Football Club’s adoption of a Moneyball style approach to football operations is a feasible approach to success. The approach that this paper will take in researching Brentford’s performance will research Brentford’s statistics in a variety of factors. Through analysing Brentford’s playing aspects will allow the paper to evaluate if the model works from the recruitment side of football activities. The analysis of Brentford’s financial aspects is vital in understanding whether the use of the model has grown the club in a financial sense. In the modern game of football clubs with the highest resources are seen as favourites. Brentford adopted a Moneyball model in the hopes of levelling the playing field. The results of the data analysis associated Brentford’s statistical model show that Brentford have grown in both playing and financial matters. Brentford went from the lower leagues of the English football leagues to promotion to the Premier League under Matthew Benham. The clubs’ financial capabilities grew alongside the success on the pitch through their recruitment policy of Buy low sell high. Contrary to the believe that clubs with greater financial prowess possess greater ability it is not entirely accurate. Richer clubs than Brentford performed better on average in the Premier League, but due to Brentford’s analytical approach the club was able to outperform several richer clubs through smart acquisitions. This papers’ findings indicate that an analytic approach to the running of a football club is a feasible approach for success based on Brentford’s performances both on and off the football pitch.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > Sports > Soccer
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Business Studies
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	20 Sep 2022 15:43
Last Modified:	20 Sep 2022 15:43
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/5774

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