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
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 17, 2023 at 4:59 PM
Comment #81Best way to win tickers for the Wimbledon ballot is to be a member of a registered tennis club. My girlfriend and I have won 3 times that way. You can enter the public ballot too but that’s a lower percentage.
Lord Scattercash
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Comment #82TDS et’al
Who said we should go bonkers…I said take a few risks and push the envelope.
The players we want will not always be available at the right time…if players on our shirt list become available and sort a problem like we have with wilson toonali…then I think we should make the move to get them, push the envelope, take a risk, be creative with our accounting just (like Man city) and get them on board to strengthen the squad and fill it with quality
Punishment (if it comes) comes two years after the fact.
We need to play the game…IMO we’re poncing around atm
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:05 PM
Comment #83Why didn’t you tell people that two months ago 🙄
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:10 PM
Comment #84Magic
That’s great to watch Eddie from Tyneside life, I’d voted for him. Better luck next time.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:13 PM
Comment #85Munster it always great to hear news like that from fellow bloggers. life is more than just football.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:16 PM
Comment #86On the injury front the back injury that I suffered when sliding down the stairs and which I mentioned cos it seemed to be similar too BDBs and EAs is so much better after only just over three weeks gives me hope that they might also be getting better quicker.
Mund
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:27 PM
Comment #87FINALLY!!!
First success in a ballot. Was beginning to think I’d never be selected
HWTL
Munster Mag
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:29 PM
Comment #88Cheers lads much appreciated, she’s delighted as am I .
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:31 PM
Comment #89How long ago Mund?
Mund
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:32 PM
Comment #90Raj
Checked when I got in from work. Email was sent around half one this afternoon.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:33 PM
Comment #91EGB,
Aren’t you a bit old to be sliding down stairs, no wonder you hurt yourself, you should use a bigger dinner tray.
JohnJ
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:33 PM
Comment #92EGB,
Pleased your back is much better!
Munster,
Glad your wife got a good report!
Mund,
Glad you’ve had success with your Ballot!
It’s good to have some good news eh?
Legolas
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:34 PM
Comment #93No luck in the ballot again. That’s 5 in a row.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:34 PM
Comment #94Mund,
I’d given up on those Dortmund tickets mind and I got that e mail at half six.
Hibbit
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:37 PM
Comment #95Mund ballot for what tennis, paris cl game or a pl game
Mund
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:37 PM
Comment #96JohnJ
Great to have good news. Just glad I was finally successful as I given up hope.
Raj
I’ve seen before on Twitter people mentioning getting late emails as well. Fingers crossed.
Buzzing to go to a CL game. One to tick off
Mund
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:38 PM
Comment #97Hibbit
AC Milan mate
Munster Mag
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:39 PM
Comment #98John J, keep up the posts fella . More power to you.
Hibbit
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:40 PM
Comment #99mund well done thats great news
WLtoon
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:45 PM
Comment #100First post of the week for me, not alot to comment on really saying as there are no games to crow on about.
Shame about Wilson and Botman mind, it was just a matter of time before our crock of a CF was out through the usual hamstring malarky, it`s came at the wrong time though with Isak being sidelined also.
Botman is a big worry, out for another 6 weeks at least apparently. I can see a few loan deals happening after Xmas.
As for Everton losing 10 points,i doubt their fans will be that bothered saying as the 3 teams that came up last season are so fkin bad that Everton could of given any one of them a 20 point start and still stayed up.
I think they will still finish 15th, above Sheff U, Luton, Burnley, Bournemouth and Forest.
WLtoon
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:47 PM
Comment #101Munster
Good to hear the good news about your better half mate, no doubt a big weight off both of your shoulders 🙂
JohnJ
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:47 PM
Comment #102I’ve been to Champions league home games but it was about 20 years ago!
I was at the Barcelona home game when Tino played a blinder. 🙂
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:50 PM
Comment #103Lord Scattercash – what makes you think we’re not already pushing the envelope? We’ve got smart people running our club so I’m sure they’re looking at every possible angle to increase spending on players and accelerate the process, including overspending now knowing it will be offset by future increases in sponsorship. There’s a limit to the risks they’ll want to take though.
WLtoon
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:52 PM
Comment #104JohnJ
I too was at the Barca game, i rate it as the 2nd best game i have ever been to.
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:52 PM
Comment #105Raj – sorry mate. But if you play any tennis or are a member of a gym with a tennis court, look at joining the LTA and apply for that ballot next time too.
As pointed out, you may still get tickets late on. There are always people who don’t complete the purchase of their allocated tickets so there are subsequent ballots. The other option is getting in the queue early for a ground pass.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:53 PM
Comment #106Legolas,
I bet there’s people who’ve entered every one and got a ticket every time.
Mund
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:54 PM
Comment #107JohnJ
Bit young for me back then to make it on my own but I watched every minute on the box. I remember my arse nipping at 3-2. What a night. I think PSG eclipsed that tho and that’s a big statement
JohnJ
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:54 PM
Comment #108Magic,
Sorry to read about your brother I didn’t realise that he’d been gone so far back.
My brother Alan was only 26 when he had his motor accident in his Lotus 7 back in 1975. He was a big Toon supporter as well. When we do win a “Prize” I’ll be having a drink for him as well as quite a few others!
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 5:59 PM
Comment #109TDSarf,
Cheers but that means heading to London on the off-chance
The Taco Taker
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:02 PM
Comment #110This idea of pushing the boundaries and risk a point deduction just to spend more is simply daft.
– If we did that how is it guaranteed that our our punishment would be “only” 10 points? – there is nothing to say they would not give us a 20 point deduction and a 1 year transfer ban!
– What about the reputational damage?
– What about that it would likely just put us under more scrutiny from the PL in the future?
JohnJ
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:03 PM
Comment #111I’ve been fortunate to see some cracking centre forwards during my time as a NUFC fan.
Len White
Wyn the Leap
Malcolm McDonald
Alan Shearer ( I wish we had him now)
Les Ferdinand
Andy Cole
Others include
Paul Goddard\
Micky Quinn
Tino Aspraia
All cracking players
If I could pick one for today’s team it would be A certain Mr Shearer!
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:03 PM
Comment #112That was bizarre that year, I was in Salou with my Spanish boss watching that ( I went to the Nou-camp for the 2-2 with PSV) I was in home when we played over there, I’d met an American couple who had a bar in Eindhoven and worked for them in the winter, I was in Holland when we played them at SJP and home when we played in Eindhoven, how unlucky was all that 😀
Had no connection to Kiev in all of that mind.
Legolas
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:17 PM
Comment #113I know Raj, I know someone who has got a ticket every time bar one.
Mister Tuff
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:21 PM
Comment #114I see Phillips is not playing tonight. Game could be a proper bore fest.
magicmac54
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:27 PM
Comment #115Essex Geordie
Bill
Evening Bill, I remember you voting for Eddie Tyneside life as I did also, he actually done so very well getting so far mate, and deserves his success for all the work and effort he puts in Bill.
WLtoon
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:28 PM
Comment #116I wont be watching the Malta game , it will be so one sided it won`t even be a match so to speak.
GS will be picking his usual favourites even though his side won`t need to get out of 1st gear to win this game by at least 4 goals, a game like tonight is an opportunity to try other players out.
Will he do it? Will he F
magicmac54
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:31 PM
Comment #117Mund
Congratulations on you’re success in getting a ticket young Mund, no doubt your’re absolutely buzzing lad 🙂 🙂
HWTL
Mund
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:34 PM
Comment #118Magic
Thanks mate.
Absolutely over the moon.
My first CL game. I just hope we have something to play for on the night.
Hope you and the missus are all good pal
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:40 PM
Comment #119Well there comes a time when you find yourself ballotless in a ballot filled world and all you can do is crack open a Brewdog 😀
magicmac54
Nov 17, 2023 at 6:44 PM
Comment #120John J
That’s very sad about losing your brother Alan at just 26 years of age John, life can be very cruel sometimes John.