Brentford’s Head of Performance Analysis said he was extremely lucky to work with a group of players and two managers that embraced the scientific approach to football.
Neil McIlhargey has run the analysis department at Brentford for the past three years.
He worked under Uwe Rösler and current Brentford Manager Mark Warburton, who appointed him to the Head of Performance Analysis role when he was Sporting Director.
Neil, speaking to Bees Player from Brentford’s pre-season training camp in Florida, said both bosses used analysis as part of their managerial styles and the players were on board as well.
Neil travelled to Florida with Luke Stopforth, who has covered the First Team with him for the past two years, to do analysis work on the training sessions.
“We are lucky to work with the players we do,” said Neil.
“After every game they watch all their involvement.
“Luke cuts up the video so players can watch on a Monday or Tuesday.
“They can watch all their involvements.
“These players are keen to take on board everything the manager and coaches say to them and we can play a part in that.
“The players embrace everything and we play a part in that.
“Both managers I have worked with here have taken on board everything I have given them.
“They use analysis as part of their managerial philosophy.
“We can meet and fulfil their needs.
Neil explained his role within the Club and how his department has grown.
There are now six staff working on covering matches and teams in the Academy up to the First Team.
“We analyse all the players from First Team down to Under-Nines,” said Neil.
“We analyse the teams we are playing next, the opposition and players that are coming in.
“Last year we ran a work experience programme and we sponsored students through their Performance Analysis MSc.
“They have all come on board with us this year.”
Neil and Luke will cover every First Team match between them.
They report to the manager and coaching staff at half time and immediately after the match before doing a fuller analysis of the game.
“During the game Luke films it and there are certain things the manager and the coaching staff want to see,” explained Neil.
“We record when that happens and why patterns of play are successful or unsuccessful.
“We can feed that back at half time or when the game is finished.
“We take 24 hours to turn around all the information for the team debrief on a Monday.”
Neil explained how he worked in the days prior to a match.
“The build-up to the game is busy as we produce reports and videos for the coaching staff and players,” he said.
“There is a mixture of qualitative and quantitative information.
“Everything from the general statistics seen in a newspaper – possession, shots, territory – and more subjective tactical analysis and strengths and weaknesses.
“Once our game is finished we analyse our game as soon as we can.
“The in-depth work can run through from Saturday night until Monday morning.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Neil McIlhargey here.