One interesting piece in the article where Dan Ashworth is interviewed in the Chronicle today is that he admitted the club uses a robot that draws the white lines on the training pitch in Benton.
We know Newcastle uses the latest technology for lots of things, but there’s only so far you can go without humans being involved.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the computer technology that’s now getting a lot of publicity but has been researched for years (decades) in computing science.
There’s a lot that AI can do to help sort through various things in a mundane way from a database and get the results quickly to the user.
But it still takes human beings to look at the results and decide what to do – based on those results – and that’s where the skill comes in.
People remember the sci-fi film of 1969 – “2001: A Space Odyssey” when HAL the computer (it’s IBM with the letter after each in H (I), A (B), and L (M) ) went out of control and almost took over the Spaceship near the end of the movie, until the computer was immobilized (phew – that was close).
AI is a concern today, but it’s been talked about for years in computing, and even decades, and like all technology you have to be careful how you use it – remember splitting the atom led unfortunately to the atomic bomb.
Now back to more civil and humane things in this article – here are some interesting comments from our Sporting Director Dan Ashworth as told to Chronicle Live today:
“I listened to Elon Musk’s conference the other day with interest – that none of us are going to have a job soon!”
“You’re right, we do have a robot painting the line out there. What we try and do on recruitment is marry up the objective – data – with the subjective – the opinion – to check and challenge what the answer may be.”
“So we aren’t just data-driven, although we are data-informed. “It is also having the industry knowledge and suitability.”
“A player suited for Newcastle United in the Premier League and for Eddie Howe might not be suited for Aston Villa and Unai Emery.”
” So that is where you bring the subjective part into it – is he or she a good player, which data can drive but not get away from the industry knowledge and scouting reports and experience.”
“So we use both – there are so many players out there and you can’t scout them all.”
“We bring them down to a manageable number and then check them with our eye, with our subject opinion, and then it will get challenged again as the player starts to come through the system.”
“I always think it is important that you have some industry knowledge assessing the data.”
“The example I use is I can go to the stock exchange and get the same data as an experienced trader, but that data could mean nothing to me and yet the experienced trader can make sense that data and make an educated decision on what stock to buy or sell.”
“We would be getting the same information but for me, it could mean absolutely nothing.”
“Certainly a large amount of reference checking from players they’ve played with or coaches, agencies, just try and get as much information as you can.”
“We do that for lots of different roles as well, not just players, you do your references in any field of work, whether it’s an academy coach or head of psychology.”
“You want to try and get as many reference points as you can about what sort of person you’re bringing into your organisation but you never truly know until that person starts working.”
Newcastle could put various characteristics (reference points) down for a man to replace Tonali in January for a topical example – if that’s the only thing the club wanted to do – bring him in on loan until the end of the season.
The various databases of (central midfield) players could then be searched to come up with say the top 5 players who play nearly exactly the same way as Tonali.
Note that the information has to be available in the databases, but at the end of the day, it’s experienced Sporting Directors like Dan Ashworth who will choose the best player suited to the club, from the players returned by the computer.
Ashworth shows a lot of common sense in those comments above, and what he has is experience in his field – that’s something you cannot beat.
So we seem to be in very good hands with Dan Ashworth leading the way on player recruitment, and we have already seen that over the last two years when we have made some stellar signings.
Certainly signing Dan Ashworth was one of those stellar signings.
252 comments so far
Lord Scattercash
Nov 17, 2023 at 2:47 PM
Comment #41TDS
Pathways to reach our 5 year plan objectives and have the best possible squad like Man City
1. Keep within FFP rules and we might get there in 5 years
2. Push the envelope, be creative, take a 10 point hit if it comes…get there in three years.
The PL can only fine and deduct points…they cant take players off us…and its the players that win you championships and cups…so why not get in as many quality players as quick as we can?
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 2:52 PM
Comment #42They could prevent us playing in Europe could they not.
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 17, 2023 at 2:53 PM
Comment #43Lord Scattercash – as I explained though, Everton sold players to try and balance the books. Their squad has obviously suffered as they tried to get close to complying with FFP. It’s incredibly naive to think that if we blatantly flouted FFP and made no effort to sell players in order to comply that the penalty would just be 10 points. Why would you think that?
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 17, 2023 at 2:55 PM
Comment #44I see that quite a lot of our younguns are getting international call ups.
cleveleysbob
Nov 17, 2023 at 2:55 PM
Comment #45LS, top players want to play in CL.
You buy them, spend too much and a 10 point deduction takes you out of Europe.
You’ve now got a squad of discontented players who all think you’ve screwed them over.
Not necessarily a wise move. 🙁
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 17, 2023 at 2:56 PM
Comment #46Raj – yes, they could prevent us from playing in Europe, they could dock us 50 points, they could prevent us from signing players for several windows, they could issue a massive fine, or even demote us.
If we massively took the p1ss then the punishment would be proportionate surely. What some are suggesting just doesn’t seem logical.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:01 PM
Comment #47Just realised that England have a massive game v Malta, tonight, I suspect that we will be favourites to win! 🙂
A Geordie Mongrel
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:08 PM
Comment #48The more I think on this the more I think Everton are finished. The PL may be able to easily decide on compensation for clubs who finished lower and therefore missed out on additional prize money. Burnley and Leicester though lost out on much more as they were relegated. 777 Partners could walk away which would make re-financing their new ground more difficult and if they can’t they have to restore the site back to original. I don’t see how they could come back from that.
Adamn_92
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:10 PM
Comment #49As a club we are doing things correctly and by the book. I hope we continue in that fashion as it’s all the more sweeter that other clubs and owners hate us and are scared.
Why i’m not keen on loaning Neves or players from Saudi/PIF clubs either. I love the fact we are doing everything as cleanly as possible.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:12 PM
Comment #50AGM
I think it more likely that the buy out will be put on hold to see if Everton get out of the relegation zone which is looking probable on their recent performances.
Ergo the take over will happen.
lesh
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:18 PM
Comment #51Essex
I don’t think PIF would go along with any chances on trying to bend the FFP rules, sword or no sword. I’d suggest that pride wouldn’t allow them to make a success of NUFC by any other means than complying with whatever rules prevail. It’s not what they’d do It’s what they’re seen to do.
lesh
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:24 PM
Comment #52A Geordie Mongrel
Is it the EPL who’d have to pay compensation to those clubs affected by Everton’s breaches?
I’m no lawyer but have a feeling that it’d be up to the affected clubs to sue Everton with the EPL advising on the amount of prize money lost and Everton paying out if the courts found for the clubs that suffered loss.
lesh
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:25 PM
Comment #53AGM
And might the EPL be sued for taking so long to make a decision?
lesh
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:26 PM
Comment #54Right, that’s it….. Three football-related posts and I’m knackered.
lesh
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:31 PM
Comment #55Essex
The cynic in me says that the EPL’s punishment was based on two factors:
The part-completed stadium which is pencilled in for the Euro 2028
And
They’re on of the EPL’s favoured clubs
Lord Scattercash
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:38 PM
Comment #56TDS…dont be nieve…everton flouted FFP when they spent well over 150 million in less than two seasons…never in a million years did they do that without knowing it cause them a priblem down the line…they got it badly wrong in the extreme.
The PL cannot ban us from eurooe…thats utter shite.
If you buy a player on a 5 year contract whilst in a CL spot, and tell him you cant guarantee CL for the full length of his contract (cos no-one apart from Man city can) then that player aint gonna say no to the opportunity of playing for newcastle…bacause long term they’ll be the best team in the world.
All lot on here dont think long term…that’s a mistake…we need to get to the end game as quick as we can…buy as many top class players as quick as can…let the lawyers and accountants do their thing.
cleveleysbob
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:40 PM
Comment #57Lesh, you could be right , aren’t they the Club with the longest running top flight record??
cleveleysbob
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:42 PM
Comment #58Lord S. well you’ve got the chequebook , get cracking and we’ll let the EPL know it’s all down to you. 😆
A Geordie Mongrel
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:44 PM
Comment #59EGB, I wouldn’t be so sure. Everton could be liable for many £millions in compensation. It’s possible that Moshiri would have to lower his price and he’s already lost £millions. Even then there’s no guarantee of avoiding relegation and 777 Partners might fail the owners and directors test. I’d hate to see any club go under.
The BBC reported that 777 haven’t posted audited accounts for the last two years and their Financial strength rating has been slashed. It may go down further. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67384265
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:46 PM
Comment #60It’s simple bonkers to think that the club will go and massively overspend now knowing full well that it can’t hope to adhere to FFP rules that way. I’m saying that it’s simply totally implausible considering the amount of scrutiny on our club and how often FFP has been talked about related to NUFC.
Everton have massively suffered due to FFP and the risks they’ve taken so why on earth would anyone want our club to take the same risks rather than take the correct approach? It’s just sheer impatience and that’s not the way successful people run businesses.
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:50 PM
Comment #61Lord Scattercash – you’re saying that a lot of people don’t think long term yet you’re suggesting and incredibly short term solution in spending whatever we want and then dealing with the (unknown) consequences later. It’s madness to assume that grossly flouting FFP, it being widely reported as it happens (as it would be), then not selling players to attempt to get back to adhering to the rules, and covering for it while it’s happening would result in a 10 point penalty. It would be much higher! And you think even that would be acceptable if it costs us a season in the CL?
This just isn’t realistic. It’s impossible.
cleveleysbob
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:52 PM
Comment #62I agree with one statement from this afternoon. “We have to think and operate Long Term”.
100% right, so short term fixes to get an instant solution is not the answer. Careful planning and steady building over a longer term is essential to guarantee that when we get to the apex, we bloody well stay there.
cleveleysbob
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:53 PM
Comment #63Ooh TDS an almost snap moment ! 😀
martoon
Nov 17, 2023 at 3:57 PM
Comment #64Jail – did I understand you correctly earlier when you said you had contacted Wimbledon box office – if you haven’t heard anything yet from the ballot then you’ve been unsuccessful this year?
Talking of ballots we’ve just entered the PSG one (for the away game) but I’m not hopeful as I can’t imagine there are that many tickers being made available for this ballot.
magicmac54
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:00 PM
Comment #65Good day Folks
On Everton`s 10 points deduction, i really fancy Everton to stay up no problem as they have turned a corner and are playing quite well at the moment. On a personal level i`ll be rooting for the Toffees to stay up as my brother Frank who passed away on the 19th of March 2008 with a brain tumor, was a huge Everton fan, and used to travel over to Goodison Park about 4 or 5 times a year to see his beloved Everton!! In saying that, there was very fierce rivalry between us over the years in reference to his love of Everton, and mine for Newcastle, and many bets won and lost over the years when Everton v Newcastle clashes 😀 😀 HWTL
A Geordie Mongrel
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:05 PM
Comment #66Lesh, don’t quote me but I’m sure I’ve read that the PL decide on prize money compensation but Everton would be liable if the relegated teams sued. I can’t see how the PL could be held liable for how long a legal procedure takes although I do think that the PL should have acted sooner.
Lord S, UEFA could ban us from Europe. Their FFP rules are tighter and they have banned clubs in the past.
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:11 PM
Comment #67Bob – yep! We both picked up on that one! 🙂
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:15 PM
Comment #68martoon,
Aye, after Bill’s said he got his yesterday I rang them up and was told if I haven’t heard by now then I haven’t been successful 😕
Not heard anything about AC Milan at home either, ballots aren’t kind to me.
martoon
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:19 PM
Comment #69Jail – ballots are not kind to me either – that’s 3 years running I’ve been unsuccessful in the Wimbledon one 🙁
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:23 PM
Comment #70martoon,
I’ve never entered before but my mate and a neighbours mate were successful last time so I assumed it was a formality, evidently not 😕
Hibbit
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:27 PM
Comment #71777 Partners aren’t exactly a blue chip company to begin with, a company whose reputation has already fallen away sharply in the last 12/18 months,
according to the FT they are already having second thoughts regarding this deal and might already be looking for away out of it,
this might just be what they are looking for 😆
Munster Mag
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:29 PM
Comment #72Wife got good medical results. Go on the wife!!
magicmac54
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:29 PM
Comment #73Great to see Eddie being nominated for the final stages of the National Football Content Awards, as the lad puts his heart and soul into his Tyneside Life YouTube channel promoting Newcastle.
https://youtu.be/Ob5sZ5spKXI?si=w6u_8mRVXF8VTXDt
snowdone
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:33 PM
Comment #74My noble Lord, you need to get real! I know the cash is burning a hole in your pocket, but scattering it willy-nilly on any player we want will just lead to our downfall. We are doing things sensibly.
Yes, I want success after 63 years of supporting the lads, but I want to do it properly.
Man City will eventually meet their karma. Judging by their charge sheet they could be playing in the National League against York City, but I wouldn’t bet on it!
Hibbit
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:33 PM
Comment #75that’s good news Munster
snowdone
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:34 PM
Comment #76Good news, Munster. Long may she run!
martoon
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:37 PM
Comment #77Great new Munster@72 – there’ll be many years of nagging yet 😉
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:38 PM
Comment #78Happy days Munster.
magicmac54
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:39 PM
Comment #79Munster Mag
Great news about you`re wife mate, happy days indeed, please send my regards from Ard Mhacha in the Orchard County.
cleveleysbob
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:44 PM
Comment #80Great news Munster! Good for her (and you). 😉