Just wanted to give you guys a heads up on how scouting is done in the EPL...I wonder when MLS will get up to par????

The following is an example of a Scouting Report and Analysis for an upcoming opponent in the English Premier League.
It shows the attention to detail that goes into such reporst week in week out in the EPL

SCOUTING REPORT


FOR.................................... DATE..............

Remember this is for reference only. Each club would present it slightly differently but the main format remains. This will go on week in week out even to the extent that sometimes a club will employ the services of Scouts NOT connected to the club to scout thier OWN team to see where their weaknesses are.

TEAM A?................................................

System of play used: Classic 4-4-2 or 4-4-2 Diamond Shape
.....................GK

.............CH..............CH
..RB..................................LB

.......RDM
...........................LDM
RW......................................LW
........................L/STR
...............R/STR

ATTACKING ORGANISATION

• Team organised in Classic 4-4-2 or 4-4-2 Diamond Shape.

• Inconsistent displays, but getting someway back to good results.
• Motivation high at present with a noticeable team spirit.
• Very attack minded with aggressive play, always wanting to play forward keeping a high tempo
• The build up phase and transition passes are fast and targeted with sudden bursts of even fast paced possession balanced with direct play deep for the main striker.
• Extremely effective 4th Phase efficiency with a powerful attack duo that punish crosses
• Short build-up has 1st pass to central defenders
• They are really vulnerable in 1st phase under pressure and one particular centre back makes frequent mistakes by trying to play 1st passes to the midfield defensive duo
• Long build up is a big threat. The GK puts the ball on the tall strikers head precisely with the danger of the flick on into the 2nd strikers
• 2nd balls are also contested aggressively by the midfield defensive duo, who react quickly with organise straight away
• From 2nd to 3rd phase, the build up also a pattern. Normally it’s a mixture of direct play and short possession passes.
• The full backs like to combine with the wingers to progress with the ball
• If space is tight, the smaller of the two strikers will make shuffle movements to the right wing (usually) to receive
• The other pattern is when the defensive duo come short to receive and instantly release the strikers in depth using their vision to anticipate the level of depth
• The nature of this system of play, one of the defensive duo is involved in central penetrating runs, especially down the central right hand side
• The Right Winger seldom goes wide on the right. He prefers to play as the 3rd midfielder between the lines and the front two strikers to arrive with deadly timing beyond opponents defensive midfielder and from there, releases the strikers with dangerous penetrating passes between positions.
• If he is unable to do that, because the defence is tight, he will attempt to release the right full back who arrives from behind to cross ( important for our winger to be aware and track back)
• The Left sided player is a pure out and out winger who gives width, receives when opened and from there attacks the full back 1v1 with tremendous fast pace.
• Employs the full range of winger behaviour, with a great awareness to do inside diagonal runs everytime the taller striker drops into midfield
• Has the timing to arrive just in time to finish
• Always expect the 2 striker combinations between the front two with lots of across the face of goal and decoy runs all with speed and aggression
• Apart from the times when the smaller striker shuffles to the wings to receive, the other striker always plays slightly behind in order to feed the ball to him
• They do this very effectively so we must ensure we have a plan to defend this (full backs closing well inside) to the 2nd ball played from the taller striker (which could be a header or by holding defender, turning and making the pass).
• The smaller strikers movement is more unpredictable when near the box as it can be played in front or behind the last defender (important to anticipate but with certainty in decision).
• Every cross is a dangerous situation, so it’s important to prevent them or at least restrain them in any situation.
• The normal movement is to attack the cross diagonally; the small striker fakes back post but arrives at the near post. The taller striker likes to attack the penalty spot using his body and power to free himself from opponents


ATTACK TRANSITION – AFTER WINNING POSSESSION

• Quick and aggressive change of attitude. The smaller striker’s movement in depth is the main threat. From their defensive third, they can track his run and instantly free him in space behind our defence.
• When aggressive transitions are not possible, possession will be established with the defensive duo become focal points for a measured attack and organisation.
• The team quickly move up to support, particularly the full back who arrives from behind, giving width and from there can hit quality crosses into the box
• Inside the defensive third, they commit mistakes and react poorly to pressure from the opponent which is an ideal moment to stop their momentum and exploit it.
• Transitions from the GK starts with an instant long pass in depth or counter attack throw to the winger or full back just outside the box. It will important to block or anticipate this.