Sheach Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 http://www.football-observatory.com/IMG/sites/mr/mr11/en/ This makes really interesting reading, but pretty grim from a Scotland perspective. They have analysed the top 50 national teams in Europe over the course of 2015: Average age on the pitch, 2015 matches Scotland – 29.0 – This is the highest average age of any of the top 50 Average height on the pitch, 2015 matches Scotland – 180.1cm (5 foot 9) – only Spain have a lower average height than Scotland in Europe. Average weight per player, 2015 matches Scotland – 74.5kg (11.7 stone) – This is the lower end of the scale but Netherlands, Brazil, Spain, Portugal and England are all lighter on average! % of minutes, footballers under contract with top division clubs, 2015 matches Scotland – 62.1% - only Northern Ireland are below us here. % of minutes, footballers employed by big-5 league teams, 2015 matches Scotland – 41.7% - Middle of the pack but above Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, Turkey. Those countries do have stronger domestic divisions though. % of minutes, players born abroad, 2015 matches Scotland – 32.8% - only four countries have a higher % than Scotland. Reading this it would seem what we need in the team are taller, younger, lighter players! Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErsatzThistle Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Oh great, more old fashioned nonsense about taller players "Sorry son, unless your at least 5'10 you cannae get a game." Lot of pish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glasgow jock Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Better players that is all !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougiemacfarlanearran Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Messi would be pretty buggered then!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheach Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 Nothing wrong with short players obviously, but when the average height is so low that can be an issue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoonTheSlope Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I'm surprised Keiron Teirney isn't quoted ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamntg Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 So our guys are taller than Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Uruguay but smaller than Iran, Israel, Norn Ireland, Bosnia and Greece - and the conclusion drawn is that we need taller players!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheach Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 Couldn't hurt to get a few younger guys on the pitch for the next campaign! Having the oldest team on average isn't great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
er yir macaroon Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Low average height is a problem at set pieces unless your wee players are top class. It's time we started producing top class players then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnyshaker Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 (edited) The height and weight ones can be discounted IMO, the other ones are concerning to varying degrees. particularly "% of minutes, footballers under contract with top division clubs, 2015 matches" @ 62.1%. Edited January 12, 2016 by Johnnyshaker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norsefox Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 The height and weight ones can be discounted IMO, the other ones are concerning to varying degrees. particularly "% of minutes, footballers under contract with top division clubs, 2015 matches" @ 62.1%. Other than the fact our players are smaller and heavier than Portugla, Holland and England. One or the other could easily be explained by the opposite, but to be both is quite clearly a concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudScot Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Age is the main concern. FFS lets get some kids in the squad for these friendlies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toepoke Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) Interesting stats, hope Mr Strachan is aware of them. I wonder where we would've ranked 20 or 30 years ago?... Edited January 14, 2016 by Toepoke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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