AmericanHotspur's Offical Scouting Thread

[AmericanHotspur]

Hey guys, AmericanHotspur here. I've noticed a problem on the forums (well not so much a problem, but something that can be improved.)
Whenever we are linked with a new player that we aren't familiar with, not everyone knows much about them, it hinders our opinions on him as we don't know how good he is, what type of player he is, sometimes even who he is.

So I got to thinking- why don't I start a thread putting the player in profile? Put it in a clear, organized scouting report, complete with videos and that should do the trick as to both educating forum members and helping myself become better at scouting.

So.. What is it exactly?

I call it the (working title) "AmericanHotspur scouting report!!!" Compiled by me (an aspiring scout) by looking at various YouTube videos, Wikipedia pages, statistics, and reading other people's opinions on him. Basically, everything you can do without actually watching the player regularly. But done thoroughly, I'm not going to try and say I know everything about the player- just make a clear, thorough, and unbiased interpretation of the player's ability. If anyone wants to help or add to these, they are more than welcome.

Disclaimer- If you watch the player regularly, or know someone who does, please send me a PM so I can add opinions into the scouting report. I'm trying to keep this as organized as possible so what I'll do is either put it in my signature or post in this thread about an upcoming player, and then you PM and get the opinion in (don't worry, you'll get credit) as opposed to you posting it somewhere else. This will help get an even better view of the player.

Also, more importantly, GIVE ME INPUT! Tell me what to do better, things to include, star rating, format, other ideas. Remember- this is for you guys and I can't help you guys if you don't tell me what I should improve.

I'll start with Ruiz as an example.

Bryan Ruiz.

History- He began his professional career playing for Alajuelense, Costa Rican team, at only 18. He soon broke into the first team and "gained repuation as both a great goalscorer and playmaker." He won the CONCACAF Champions Cup (equivalent of Champions League) with them. Left the club with 24 goals in 83 games.
He then moved to the Belgian team, Genk. He soon became captain of the team in 2007, as well as being the team's top scorer. Even back then, he was tipped for greatness, was Gent's best player by some margin, and soon moved to Twente in 2009 for 5m Euros.
He started out absolutely on FIRE, scoring in his debut and then scoring in 10 games straight. That season, Twente won the league and Ruiz scored 24 goals in the league.


Age/Experience- Born August 18, 1985, so currently 25 going on 26. Not exactly a "potential" player, however has not been tested at higher than Dutch league level so does not have true top-flight experience. He has, however, played in both the UEFA cup with Gent, Europa League with Twente, and of course the CL with Twente, where he was in our group last year. He also has won the league with Twente.

Position- Ruiz is a right winger playing inverted, as he is left footed. He is the RW in Twente's 4-3-3. However, one of the best things about him is his versatility- he also can play on the left as he has a pretty good cross on him, as well as playing anywhere from second striker to the central striker. But his best position is RW as he can cut in and launch with his left foot. He'd probably be deployed in either Lennon, Bale, VDV's or even the lone striker role. Versatile striker.

International- He's from Costa Rica, and has scored 9 goals in 26 games. He played in qualification for both 2006 and 2010 world cups, however didn't play in either (no call up to 2006 and lost to Uruguay in the play-off for WC 2010)
Against the USA/Mexico he was always the danger man and scored 6 times in CONCACAF WC qualification 2010.

Style of play- He plays as a RW higher up the pitch, however, given that he's playing inverted he tends to drop into the middle and also deep to get the ball. He isn't a traditional winger- not standing on the touchline usually. When he's playing as a SS he drops deep but also gets in the box for the cross as he is 6'2" and can head the ball well.
His tendency is to cut in and shoot first, as he has a great left peg on him. He can also pass, and he has good vision and play-making ability, hence why he drops deep and plays in the middle somewhat.
He can actually cross with his right foot, granted he doesn't do it often but he does it pretty well and is good enough to keep the defenders honest because he can go down the line as well.

Strengths- What sets Ruiz apart is his expert ball control and dribbling skills. The way he possesses it, as well as the position he plays is reminiscent of Messi tbh. He is capable of taking on multiple defenders, but isn't a ball hog and is good at knowing when to pass. He is used to being double-teamed so I think that is a strength that makes him play very quickly.
His speed isn't Lennon or Bale, but he is very quick and all he needs is a step on a defender to make the pass or shoot.
He also has a GREAT left foot on him. IMO as good as VDV's. Can shoot with power, accuracy, and even does the chips reminiscent of Negredo or Villa.
Another strength he has is that he can change the game very quickly, and always makes an impact.
His height also makes him a threat in the air, and for 6'2" he is very silky and elegant.

Weaknesses/things to improve on- He is not the strongest, and his skinny, tall frame may need some adapting to the PL.
Also, very one-footed, very similar to VDV.
He isn't lazy but doesn't track back well- perhaps not a bad thing as he is usually deployed high up the pitch.
Also, not to be too critical, but he perhaps could work on his tackling and pressure higher up the pitch.

Where he would fit in here- He's that versatile winger striker that we need- can play in Lennon or Bale's position but mainly VDV's position. He could be used as a super-sub. Also, he holds the ball up pretty well and I've already mentioned his height so he may be able to play alone.

Would he want to come?- Imo, yes. He said it would be "an honor" to play for the "great club that is Tottenham." Even without that, he's 26 and needs to make a move to a top league, with a top team. We could be that opportunity and he would probably accept whatever role we gave him.

Price- 10-14m pounds. I'd say we could get him for 12m, but his release clause is 13.7m.

Wages- Not sure of it, but probably not a problem. Wouldn't ask for anything more than 45k, if that.

AmericanHotspur's final verdict- I'd say that he is a very realistic target- as well as fitting in pretty well here. IMO, if we can get him for 12m pounds that would be a steal and he can make an immediate impact. Wouldn't be our only striker signing though, remember that.

Videos-







Hope this helps.

[Enfield_spurs]

Looks good mate and I look forward to reading future posts.

Any chance for a stickie so this thread doesn't get buried and then make a reappearance every so often, just to make it easier.

[AmericanHotspur]

Looks good mate and I look forward to reading future posts.

Any chance for a stickie so this thread doesn't get buried and then make a reappearance every so often, just to make it easier.

Good idea mate- not sure if I deserve a sticky lol but hopefully a mod can help?
Also, should I run this like the Javi show? I.e not close it after every post like the ITK thread is? I think it'd be better if we didn't close it so we could put input, ideas, etc. in the thread itself, plus I'm not a mod so I couldn't close it.

[spursman18]

Sticky, done.

if you want me to close it, which would make sense in a way for people not to go through all the clutter so that its easier to follow all the input (which is why the ITK thread is locked) then just let me or the other mods know and we can open it back up when you're ready to post a new player.

[boo]

hang on, before i go off on one, funk on A for putting the effort in mate! really appreciated!

ok... my 10¥ worth....

you could take it one stage further, although the hassle factor would increase. the thread should be locked when it is up and running - after the feedback e.t.c - so only you can post to it, like the ITK section.

you could also index the players in the first thread that are referenced (like the 'javi's dvd box set special')

[AmericanHotspur]

Both great ideas guys, however I'm off to bed. Gotta get up early tomorrow. Hopefully when I wake up this thread will have more responses and ideas and then I'll make some decisions.

[rossdfc]

Sounds like a great idea mate, I like it. Definitely something we've been missing - hopefully it'll save me having to trawl through the internet just to find out what he's like

[Paul 1300]

I am very impressed with the work you have put in American Hotspur

[SweSpurs]

Hey this is awesome @AmericanHotspur thanks alot!

[AmericanHotspur]

Right, so I've made a decision. I'd like to keep this thread open, so members can give input and suggestions for players they want done, but I don't want it too cluttered so I've come to a compromise- how about we take the ITK thread approach with this thread (opening/closing by a mod) so you won't have to dig through the thread to see posts, but have another thread with suggestions for how to improve the thread or players you want me to do. You can also use PMs with me.

The only problem I could see is if I need to post something but can't open it, but usually there's at least one mod on so I could ask them?

If this is okay, I'd like to see these changes happen soon- I'll be doing my next one on whoever we sign next and hopefully that will be soon.

Thanks.

[Reserrved]

i could also make some videos similar to the llorente vid if you want

[AmericanHotspur]

i could also make some videos similar to the llorente vid if you want

Defo, send me some PMs once the new player is revealed. It'll most likely be in my signature and I'll post in here who it is so everyone can have time to PM me stuff they want included in the post.

[tdw76]

The only problem I could see is if I need to post something but can't open it, but usually there's at least one mod on so I could ask them?

This is all a ploy to get mod privileges isnt it! lol you're doing a great job here buddy keep up the good work! many thanks!

[Reserrved]

Defo, send me some PMs once the new player is revealed. It'll most likely be in my signature and I'll post in here who it is so everyone can have time to PM me stuff they want included in the post.

will do ill see what i can find on ruiz

[spursman18]

Alright AH, should I shut it for now?

If you need one of the mods, PM one of us to reopen it.