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The Changing Face of Scouting: Rob Mackenzie’s full series of articles

The Changing Face of Scouting series with Rob Mackenzie

Rob Mackenzie was part of the scouting team at Leicester City that brought the likes of Riyad Mahrez to the King Power Stadium, before moving to Tottenham and helping make the case for signing Toby Alderweireld.

Over a series of articles for Sky Sports, Mackenzie outlines the challenges facing the modern football scout and the insights that can help to overcome them.

Here, we bring together the full series in one place…

Buying from abroad

There are bargains to be had when buying from abroad but the global game brings difficulties too. Mackenzie explains how minimising the risks in recruitment can maximise the rewards… READ ON

Buying from abroad
Buying from abroad

Find out what made Heung-Min Son an attractive option for Tottenham.

Anticipating spikes

When is a player about to get a lot better? What clues can we spot? Mackenzie talks us through the importance of recognising when a player is going to enjoy a significant spike in performance… READ ON

Also See:

Anticipating spikes
Anticipating spikes

What were the clues that Serge Gnabry would come good in Germany?

Anticipating decline

What are the clues that a player is finished? How do you pick up an experienced bargain? Mackenzie explains how to identify ageing players on their way out and those who still have plenty to offer… READ ON

Anticipating decline
Anticipating decline

Find out why Leicester were confident that Esteban Cambiasso could still do it.

Dealing with agents

Dealing with agents is a necessity in the modern game but it can cause problems if a club's recruitment department is not wise to the risks. Mackenzie explains the challenges and how some agencies are responding in the right way. READ ON

Dealing with agents
Dealing with agents

Hear from an agency that is using stats to give football clubs what they want.

The Limitations of data

Analytics have added a new dimension to scouting in recent years. We examine power of data as a tool to identify transfer window targets and its limitations... READ ON

Limitations of data
Limitations of data

The power of data in football recruitment and its limitations...

The January window

The January transfer window can be a busy time as clubs scramble to turn their season around. We take a look at the pitfalls of buying mid-season and those who have got it sussed... READ ON

January transfer window
January transfer window

The pitfalls of buying mid-season and those who have got it sussed.

Signing Alderweireld

Defenders are notoriously difficult to analyse from a statistical point of view, so what do scouts look for in such a player? Mackenzie discusses the challenges and picks out the qualities that made Toby Alderweireld stand out from the rest… READ ON

Signing Alderweireld
Signing Alderweireld

What makes defenders tricky to scout and how can you get around it?