x+football

x+football explores learning insights from various fields and applies them to football, drawing on wisdom of crowds, cognitive biases, strategies from sports and non-sports figures, and the impact of team context on performance. It includes analyses on club strategies, player development, and the financial dynamics of football.

Sports Management Cognitive Biases Team Dynamics Financial Strategies in Sports Player Development and Performance Strategic Decision Making Football Club Strategies Market Dynamics in Football

The hottest Substack posts of x+football

And their main takeaways

Can you use the wisdom of crowds in football?

19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 20
  1. The wisdom of crowds theory suggests that large diverse groups are smarter than individual experts, popularized by James Surowiecki.
  2. Using crowdsourcing and the wisdom of crowds can benefit football clubs, like TC Freisenbruch's digitized approach.
  3. Incorporating fans or external opinions in decision-making processes, like player recruitment, can lead to better outcomes in football.

Charlie Munger FC -- Part 1

0 implied HN points • 24 Dec 21
  1. Learn from personal experiences rather than the experiences of others to avoid failure.
  2. Be patient and wait for good opportunities rather than settling for second-best options.
  3. Dig deeper to understand underlying reasons and avoid following trends blindly to make informed decisions.

Sorare - the different football fantasy game

0 implied HN points • 21 Aug 21
  1. OpenSea reached $1 billion in trading volume in August 2021, showing the growth of NFTs and gaming.
  2. Sorare stands out from other NFT projects by combining collectibles with a football fantasy game, adding utility and engagement.
  3. Sorare's growth is fueled by pillars like community involvement, licensing deals with clubs, and leveraging the Ethereum blockchain.

What I learned from Sam Hinkie

0 implied HN points • 21 Jul 21
  1. Approach everything with a beginner's mindset.
  2. Always take the long view for long-term success.
  3. Follow the regret minimization framework to make decisions.

What I learned from Johan Cruyff's book "My Turn"

0 implied HN points • 14 Sep 21
  1. Never stop progressing and always aim for improvement.
  2. Turn disadvantages into advantages by thinking creatively.
  3. Listen and learn from your surroundings, soaking up knowledge like a sponge.
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What I learned from Daryl Morey

0 implied HN points • 02 May 21
  1. Always keep innovating and iterate from the first idea.
  2. Fight cognitive biases by not trusting intuition and using objective analysis.
  3. Know your goal, study history, and focus on winning if you aim to be among the few teams with a real shot at success.

Is There Something Like a Lasting First Mover Advantage in Football?

0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 21
  1. In football, being a first mover can provide a long-term advantage by investing in better players and increasing success.
  2. Separating from the pack and doing something different can help clubs improve their position in the football pyramid.
  3. Maintaining a first mover advantage in football depends on how well a club adapts, strengthens its position, and consistently performs over time.

Promotion – and Then What?

0 implied HN points • 22 Apr 21
  1. When facing relegation in football, clubs can trust the relegated squad, adapt to the new league, or overhaul the squad for potential success.
  2. Many clubs focus on trusting the current players or adapting to the new league post-relegation due to factors like reliability, short-term focus, and fear of dismissal.
  3. In decision-making for football clubs, considering second-order consequences beyond immediate outcomes is crucial for long-term success.

Charlie Munger -- Part 2

0 implied HN points • 29 Dec 21
  1. Blame others for mistakes leads to failure.
  2. Stick with your ideas can be detrimental.
  3. Trying to do everything yourself can be counterproductive.

Cognitive Biases in Sports

0 implied HN points • 28 Nov 21
  1. Cognitive biases are unconscious errors in thinking that lead to irrational decisions.
  2. Common biases in sports include outcome bias, fundamental attribution error, and confirmation bias.
  3. Being aware of these biases can help combat them and make more rational decisions.

Could this be the season of Julian Brandt?

0 implied HN points • 15 Jul 21
  1. Julian Brandt has shown great potential as a midfielder but his career has been inconsistent since his move to Dortmund in 2019.
  2. Brandt excelled at Leverkusen under Peter Bosz but struggled to find his form under Lucien Favre at Dortmund.
  3. The upcoming season at Dortmund could be crucial for Brandt to showcase his abilities under a new system, new coach, and a need for his skills.

The Cry for Help in a Broken System

0 implied HN points • 25 Apr 21
  1. The European Super League failed, but underlying financial issues of clubs persist.
  2. Some clubs need money to sustain their operations due to mismanagement and debt.
  3. Players recognizing their influence can be a powerful force against changes in the football system.

How good will a player be?

0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 20
  1. Estimating a player's potential development is challenging due to many influencing factors.
  2. Using both an 'outside view' and an 'inside view' can help in predicting a player's improvement.
  3. Luck plays a significant role in a player's development, alongside skill and team management.

Why do so many expensive signings don't live up to their expectations?

0 implied HN points • 22 Aug 22
  1. Expensive players may not always meet expectations due to various factors like fit, influences, and context.
  2. The myth of A-players highlights the importance of considering how individuals perform within different contexts and team dynamics.
  3. Performance is influenced by multiple factors such as culture, fit, and the support system around the player.

How to turn your season around?

0 implied HN points • 19 Sep 20
  1. In January, clubs commonly take two main actions: signing new players or changing the manager.
  2. Improvement in performance during a season turnaround can come through smart managerial changes, transfers, or sometimes, sticking to the current team.
  3. Finding a clear starting lineup, strategic transfers, and thoughtful managerial changes are key factors in turning a season around successfully.

Shakhtar Donetsk and the Brazilians

0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 20
  1. Shakhtar Donetsk has mastered the football transfer market by buying young Brazilian talents at low prices and selling them for profit.
  2. The success of Shakhtar's strategy lies in identifying and developing talents, offering extensive playing opportunities, and selling them for a profit.
  3. Despite challenges like the war in Ukraine, Shakhtar continues to focus on acquiring young talents, especially from Brazil, to rejuvenate their squad for sustained success.

The transformation of CSKA Moscow

0 implied HN points • 28 May 20
  1. CSKA Moscow is undergoing a transformation by bringing in young talented players to refresh its aging squad.
  2. Financial constraints have led CSKA Moscow to focus on scouting undervalued talent and utilizing loan deals.
  3. CSKA Moscow's rebuild strategy involves signing young players and focusing on developing talent for potential future profits.