Rousseau

The magic of the Black Box. It works for players and managers. The magic of the black box The black box might sound like something from a JK Rowling adventure but it is crucial to the club's success. It is a live database, fuelled by six analysts and has records of Saints players at every level, which are audited every six weeks to check whether they are hitting their targets. But it is not just details of current Saints players that are stored in the black box - data is inputted into it from games across every major league. Into it are loaded video clips, performance and statistical data, plus information about the character, personality and injury history of a player. When Reed discusses a potential signing with the manager he has a range of options, all of whom he knows will fit into the style the club wants. "When you are trying to unearth potential that can be turned into excellence, you need lots of information," added Reed. "Scouts can spot a player if they are looking at Gareth Bale - but to find a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, you need more detail." Saints signed Hojbjerg, a 21-year-old Danish midfielder, from Bayern Munich in the summer on a five-year deal for a fee believed to be in the region of £13m. The data in the black box helped inform them of the player's suitability for Southampton. They knew that Hojbjerg had been through an excellent academy system at Bayern, that he was bright academically and had bundles of skill and potential. "Performance data allows us to say technically if he is what we are looking for," added Reed. "Physical information is not just high-intensity sprints. It is whether they are in high-level competition, how they hold the ball up, what the first touch is like." A good example of how Saints' long-term thinking and attention to detail allowed them to overcome the loss of an important player revolves around the departure of defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama. They signed the Kenya international from Celtic in 2013 and, according to Reed, he had opportunities to sign a new deal for two years. "It was clear he was being advised not to. When those tell-tale signs started happening we began looking in the black box," said Reed. "Potential replacements for Victor had to meet certain athletic and technical requirements. One of them was Oriol Romeu." Southampton had started monitoring Romeu as a 19-year-old when he joined Chelsea from Barcelona. They kept feeding information into his profile during a loan spell at Valencia. As Wanyama's future became uncertain, Southampton took an additional interest when Romeu joined Stuttgart on loan in 2014. Twelve months later, they approached Chelsea themselves, paying £5m for the player who has this season become Wanyama's replacement. It had been the same with Lallana and Dusan Tadic. Tadic was in the system from 2010 because the club understood that Lallana was developing into the sort of player that other clubs might want to buy. When Liverpool bought Lallana for £25m in 2014, Tadic was one of several replacements the Saints had been monitoring for years. When Adam Lallana (centre) left for Liverpool in 2014 the club already had a series of potential replacements in mind Three interviews and a 50-page profile Eight weeks after Southampton won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in 2010, Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan won the Champions League final to complete the treble. Since 2011, the Italian side have not won a trophy or qualified for the Champions League. At the start of the month, Inter played Saints in the Europa League and lost 2-1. It was a match played just days after they had sacked manager Frank de Boer, who had himself replaced Roberto Mancini after he was dismissed in August. Reed said: "If they go after 80 days, fingers need to be pointed at the people who recruit. "When managers are appointed usually they want lots of changes. They want to bring their own staff, they want money to spend. If you go down that route you are putting everything you have built at risk. "Our manager is a coach. The process is, 'are we the right fit for you, are you the right fit for us?' That is why it goes through several stages." Reed has a dossier of potential coaches that is continually updated - and has been since the appointment of current boss Claude Puel - but he describes it as "very private" and only he has access to it. When the club's Argentine boss Pochettino left for Tottenham in 2014, some thought it would mark the end of Southampton's rise. In fact, they got better, improving their Premier League placing from eighth to seventh and then sixth under Dutchman Koeman. It was the first time they had finished in the top half of the top flight in three successive seasons since 1979-82. Reed did not expect Koeman to leave for Everton this summer - but he had to be ready when it happened. He said: "Succession planning is a major factor in big business. You have to be ready for the surprise. It shouldn't be any different in football yet that is how it appears." One newspaper picked 11 potential replacements for Koeman. Puel was not among them but it was the Frenchman whom Saints eventually appointed on a three-year deal. "Every candidate to replace Ronald was in the system a year before and had a 45- or 50-page document, with a profile. The interview criteria were four pages long. Claude went through three interviews to get the job." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37954971

What do the little red exclamation points signify?

I'd take Docherty. Seems to be a standout player in the league -- although I've not been paying too much attention -- and a player we could use; box-to-box, creative, and can take the physical side.

I watched bits of it too: he didn't get a sniff of the ball, but he didn't do anything noteworthy; he looks powerful and quick, though. Hopefully he has some of his father's guile!

It's a good deal: We get to try him out, guaranteed to get him at the end of the season if it works out, and we don't have to fork out all the money now. Most importantly, he improves the first-team; very few coming in have actually done that.

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand/This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:"

Oooh, the notification is a nice touch. Yes, I checked that the spreadsheets work; they do. Good job guys!

How do you unlike a post?

As with Docherty, Morgan is perhaps just the latest 'prospect' who's name has been flung around; without even seeing them play, we jump on the bandwagon of thinking we need to make a move for them.

He certainly 'improves' the first-team, and fills a position in which we are short.

SSN: Jamie Murphy to have medical at Rangers after fee in region of £1M agreed with Brighton.

I think it was revealed on Twitter that the translation was a No.10 ("Enganche"), not a holding midfielder. Typical Sun.

I think we're fine, if not ideal, in the No.10 position: Windass and Kranjcar can play there; as well as Dorrans if he returns this season, or even Holt. We are desperately short out wide, particularly on the left flank.

Ah, yes; I had forgot about those returning. Makes sense to recall them; they provide more depth in problem areas -- regardless of whether they are any good! LW (Dodoo) - ST (Morelos/Herrera) - RW (Candeias/MOH) AM/No.10 (Windass/Kranjcar/Pena) LM (XXX) - LCM (Holt/Halliday) - RCM (Jack/Barjonas) - RM (XXX) CDM (McCrorie/Goss) LB (John/Wallace) - LCB (Wilson/Cardoso) - RCB (Alves/Bates) - RB (Tavernier/Hodson) GK (Foderingham) NB: Primary positions used, and I left out Miller and Dorrans because it looks unlikely they'll feature this season.

I think Goss is not a bad option, if he is good enough to play; bringing another defensive option. However, yes, you are right we need players in other positions more urgently. The left is completely missing! LW (XXX) - ST (Morelos/Herrera) - RW (Candeias) AM/No.10 (Windass/Kranjcar/Pena) LM (XXX) - LCM (Holt/Halliday) - RCM (Jack/Barjonas) - RM (XXX) CDM (McCrorie/Goss) LB (John/Wallace) - LCB (Wilson/Cardoso) - RCB (Alves/Bates) - RB (Tavernier/Hodson) GK (Foderingham) NB: Primary positions used Actually, wide players on the whole are missing, so it's no surprise we've adopted a diamond that removes the need for them!

If he caught the eye of Van Gaal -- whatever that means -- there may be something about him. No harm in taking him on a 6-month loan.

Rangers Sign Goss On Loan https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/gers-sign-goss-loan/

At least we're moving quickly. He's not a marquee signing, so I'm not going to be too negative on the signing. We'll see what he can do. He adds depth at least, and perhaps gives more options in midfield.

Confirmed, according to SSN. Sean Goss signs on loan until end of the season.

SSN: Goss to join Rangers on loan until end of the season.

I recall his name a couple of years ago as being a prospect. Not played much, though. He sounds like an Allen signing, which I'm content with; young, versatile, brought up in the Man Utd academy, so he hopefully has a winning mentality. I'm content.

No.10 -- it's been a No.10 for decades.

I think a box-to-box role would suit him; he has the energy and desire to get about and influence things.

He'll be a good squad player. He knows the club, and he'll be willing to play in any number of positions and do any number of jobs to help the team. I would hope he gets played in his better positions, but I hope even more so that we get better players for the first-team so we don't need to rely on him. I'd like everyone back. MOH, Dodoo, Forrester etc. can all boast our squad depth, and give us options. We have a thread-bare squad. And get some more youngsters promoted, like Atekayi (?).