The GBE Expert Player Reports: Who, what & why? featuring Goduine Koyalipou (2000) and Aljosa Matko (2000)
Day 6 of The GBE Expert Hub content opens the window into our scouting process
“This player could be an EFL Championship starter”
We have spent the first five days covering the rules and regulations in bitesize portions. There is so much more detail to dig into over the course of the platform, but I wanted to turn our attention to something a bit different for today’s piece.
The GBE Expert Hub has assembled a crack scouting team to look at some interesting players in more detail, and hopefully provide you with some inspiration for how GBE and ESC can be used more effectively.
The first thing to say is that we are going to be putting a player report into the weekly bulletins that will only be available on the paid tier of the GBE Expert Hub, so this is a great time to convert that account into a paid one.
The next thing is that all of the reports will be stored by us for professionals to access. We are also keen to hear from clubs or agents all over the world who may be interested in having their player reported on, or domestic clubs who are interested in seeing what The GBE Expert Hub can help them with to add to their existing recruitment work.
Why do the player reports?
We want to demonstrate that there are lots of interesting options in the marketplace which are outside of the traditional areas that clubs are able to look at in detail.
The domestic market is saturated, and everyone knows all of the players in the British Isles, at least the ones that would usually be of interest to them, and it can be a tough game, especially for those ambitious clubs that don’t have the biggest budgets.
This is where GBE and ESC can play a huge role. A market that may seem closed to the lower EFL teams, or to Scottish Championship teams, or even Cymru Premier or NIFL teams, actually has plenty of options to improve their squad by shopping in very unusual areas with a real lack of competition.
Why the single match structure?
We chose to just do snapshot player reports from a single match because in terms of output, this is value for us as scouts as well as giving you the flavour of the player. This is our equivalent of a genuine scout report as if you were our scouting manager in a club.
In our case, we don’t have a single club to report to, and to try and specify as if we do would be nonsense, so we have to generalise to a point. However, we have tried to be as specific to the target market (PL/EFL/SPFL etc.) as we can be.
How have you chosen the players?
There are a few threads that we are following with the player database.
Firstly, all of the players that we report will have a certain GBE status. Either they will already qualify for GBE, they have ESC status, or, they could be a player who is on the verge of qualification, therefore we are giving interested parties notice of a potentially good talent about to come onto the UK market.
For clubs who don’t necessarily have the resources to track GBE statuses, this could be a real timesaver and moneysaver.
Secondly, we are taking keen notice of players who have contracts expiring in the near future. This may be in a couple of months from now, or perhaps in 18 months’ time. These players will usually get priority within the team because of the viability of a potential deal being done, especially in target areas where clubs are unlikely to be able to spend a fee.
Third, there is a data system lying in behind this which helps us to identify high performing players for particular roles. This is the AWRSS2.0 system that has been re-tooled specifically for this project. The initial launch of the AWRSS is still available to read here and view here, and most of the principles remain the same, whereas the execution has become much more easy to manage on our side.
Other factors involved may include recommendations, so if you have any players that you would like to see reported upon, especially as a paid member, then we can take those requests. For a number of players, that would be a paid for service.
What do the reports tell us?
Let me break down the report structure to give you the thought behind it:
Biographical Details
The relevant basics of the player in question.
This includes age, contract expiry, height and preferred foot/positions played.
Some other details such as value and current wage have been estimated from ‘best guess’ resources in the first instance. The real information can be sought upon a registered interest in the player.
Status
This is our unique trait. Our platform is all about presenting information that is relevant to the GBE status of players. We are able to tell you straight away what the player’s status is, which prevents you from having to look this up yourself. Explanations are also provided.
Relevant Data
The AWRSS2.0 ratings will go in here. At the moment the ratings are league specific, but the model is being expanded to give global scores and predictive scores for the level targeted.
The key attributes that shine through in the data are also presented here.
Match Info
This section simply provides the context for the match that has been reported on. Fixtures are rated by difficulty - low, moderate, and difficult, depending on who they are facing on the day.
Match Report
The report is then broken up into:
Effectiveness of role - how well has the player performed in the role that he is playing in on the day. Whilst we don’t know the specific instructions that the player went out with from his manager, we are attempting to infer how well the player is producing something effective for his team.
Physical attributes - we do not currently have access to physical data so it is important that we cover this as thoroughly as possible in our reports. Can they run? How are they in a battle? What type of physique do they have?
Technical skill - an appraisal of how well they are able to manipulate the ball or perform their technical tasks within their role
Decision making under pressure - again, we have no pressure data in our system, so it was exceptionally important to us that we assessed with the eye how effective the player worked when under pressure from the opposition. Were they able to remain calm? How did their technique stand up? Were they able to improve the team’s situation despite the pressure?
Psych & Social - this is an attempt to use the eye to discover something of the character of the player. Are they quite serene on the pitch? What is their body language projecting? How do they deal with the officials?
Any other business - if there is something interesting that the scout has noticed about the player or anything that doesn’t necessarily fit in the other sections, but is relevant, then it can go here
Verdict
The verdict is the main unique value to our work at The GBE Expert Hub, because we are dealing with a specific niche scenario, we are able to be very specific in our recommendations.
Key attributes - what a club who signs this player should expect from them in terms of positive outcomes
Risks to mitigate - if a club signs the player, what should they expect to have to mitigate or attempt to improve on the training pitch
Current level recommendation - where does The GBE Expert Hub scout expect the player to be effective in the domestic structure
Potential level recommendation - if things went well for the player and the potential was fulfilled, where would we expect them to play up to
To demonstrate this in practice we are providing a couple of the reports that are already in the database. The first is by Andy Watson and the second by Craig Bradley.
GBE Eye Match Report
Biographical Details
Name: GODUINE KOYALIPOU
Age/D.o.B: 24 (18.05.2000)
Citizenship: France / Central African Republic
Position(s): ST (AM R)
Club: CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria (Band 6)
Height: Approx 184cm
Preferred foot: Right
TM Market Value: £1m
Contract: Expiry: 30.06.2027
Current wage (FM24 estimate): £1400 pw
Status
GBE Status: Fail
ESC Status: Pass (international caps for Central African Republic)
Relevant Data
AWRSS Best Role: Power Forward (#4 in Bulgaria)
AWRSS Best Attributes: Shooting, Decisions on the ball, Penalty area presence, Durability
Match Info
Observed: 2nd November 2024 vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv (Bulgarian First League) - moderate difficulty
Final score: 2-2
Shape: 4-1-4-1 (vs 4-2-3-1)
Brief match report: A mid-table clash that was mired by multiple instances of timewasting by Plovdiv once they took the lead for the second time at the beginning of the second half.
Koyalipou had earlier equalised for the first time in an even first half, but CSKA took the initiative once they fell behind for a second time and deserved their very late equaliser.
Style of play was unrefined from both teams, with direct play being favoured.
Match report
Effectiveness of role
Koyalipou played as a lone centre forward for CSKA. His role was to be the main goal threat for the team, so it was important for him to be in goal scoring positions when required, but he also had to help the team when in possession by providing an outlet to get out. He struggled to be effective in that part of his role as he was isolated against multiple defenders.
However, he occupied defenders well in the box, and showed signs of being able to press effectively. This is definitely something that can be improved with specific direction.
Koyalipou scored an excellent header in the match that was taken with aplomb.
Physical attributes
Koyalipou is of a good height for a lone centre forward, however he probably wouldn’t be that effective as a target man in the EFL. He is more of a power forward type who can hold up play, but is more effective having it played into him rather than fighting for the ball with central defenders. This is because he doesn’t seem to play to his height and strength, despite having a good body frame to start from.
He demonstrated above average pace for the level, and I have no doubt that he would be able to play to the pace of EFL football, and outpace some defenders if sent over the top or down the channels.
Technical skill
The technical level that Koyalipou showed was impressive for a man of his stature. There were multiple occasions, especially late on in the match, where he was able to take defenders out of the game with single touch passes to teammates. Whilst these flicks around the corner could be frustrating if they were unsuccessful, in this case they worked to open up the attack, and the late equalizer came as a result of one of these combination moves.
There are some improvements to be made if Koyalipou is to be effective in the EFL around his first touch and holding the ball up.
Decision making under pressure
Koyalipou was under pressure in almost every touch that he made in the match. He coped with this admirably and though he didn’t always make the right call with his decision making, he was direct and tried to create more dangerous situations for his team in the vast majority of his work with the ball.
Psych & Social
There wasn’t any evidence of any attitude problems in the video footage. Koyalipou could’ve given more in his pressing, but, also, he was happy to chase back into the full back areas on a couple of occasions.
It should also be noted that Koyalipou was frustrated a couple of times by his teammates when he felt that he was in a better position to score than they were, especially late on in the match when they were chasing an equalizer.
Any Other Business
There was an incident during the game of at least one supporter throwing a banana onto the pitch after an action that Koyalipou made. It is unclear from the footage whether there was racist chanting or whether anything was directed at Koyalipou himself, but it is potentially something he may have to deal with as a character.
Verdict
Key strengths
Variety of movement
Goalscoring instinct
Physical capability (good pace and acceptable height)
Really good combination play under pressure
Risks to mitigate
Inconsistent pressing desire
Playing up to his size
Combining his movement into something more effective for the team
Current level recommendation
L1+ (Top of League One starting CF)
Potential level recommendation
CH (Mid-table Championship starter)
Biographical Details
Name: ALJOSA MATKO
Age/D.o.B: 24 (29.03.2000)
Citizenship: Slovenia
Position(s): RW
Club: NK Celje, Slovenia (Band 5)
Height: Approx 176cm
Preferred foot: Right
TM Market Value: £800K
Contract: Expiry: 30.06.2026
Current wage (FM24 estimate): £1,700 pw
GBE Status: Fail
ESC Status: Pass (Conference League and Band 5 senior appearances)
Relevant Data
AWRSS Best Role:
Match Info
Observed: 3rd November 2024 vs Olimpija Ljubljana (Prva Liga) - high difficulty
Final score: 0-1
Shape: 4-1-4-1 (vs 4-1-4-1)
Brief match report: NK Cejle were unfortunate to lose 1-0 at home to Olimpija Ljubljana. Cejle were dominant in possession, territory and shots but couldn’t get themselves a goal.
Aljosa Matko had the best chance of the half in the 8th minute which he fashioned for himself through individual skill. The rest of the first half passed by without barely a chance of note.
Olimpija took the lead, against the run of play, four minutes into the second half when a poorly struck shot from range by Raul Florucz somehow found its way into the far corner.
After a second half of endeavour, but few chances from good shot locations, NK Cejle were awarded a penalty deep into added-on time following a handball.
Matko took the penalty but it was a terrible effort and he blasted the spot kick high and wide.
Match report
Effectiveness of role
Matko played the role of throwback right winger, keeping width and continuously looking to drive at his direct opponent, regularly trying to get to by-line so he could deliver a cross or pull back into the box.
The role suited Matko perfectly and he was Celje’s primary method of attack. Cejle were so dominant territorially that Matko wasn’t required to show any defensive capabilities and he could concentrate solely on providing a threat for his team.
Physical attributes
Matko carries himself with a low centre of gravity and displays a great burst of acceleration from a standing start. Matko didn’t have the opportunity to show if he could maintain his speed over mid-long range distances. Matko displayed great energy levels and was committed to running at the opposition full back from minute one right through to the full time whistle.
Matko has below average height and didn’t engage in any aerial duels.
Technical skill
Matko’s final action was poor on more than one occasion. His crosses were frequently overhit and at times his short passing was underhit.
But Matko’s relentless nature of getting on the ball meant that he always carried a threat. He showed moments of skill and a willingness to drive on the outside to the by-line and on the inside into the penalty area. His unpredictability made him difficult to defend against.
Matko fashioned chances for himself on two occasions in the first half and his finishing was mixed. The first opportunity saw Matko choose to shoot with the outside of his right foot and he hit his effort straight at the keeper. The second strike saw him strike the ball with his laces in a more purposeful manner - he scored but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside.
Matko used the same technique of power when taking a last minute penalty which he blazed high and wide.
Decision making under pressure
When out on the flank, Matko displays a calmness under pressure. He delays making his move until the defender commits and repeatedly beats his marker. His composure and relaxed nature is evident but it doesn't last and his final action can be rushed and inconsistent.
Psych & Social
Matko’s endeavour and work rate is persistent throughout the entire game. He presses relentlessly and gets rewarded by winning possession close to the opponents goal. Matko is brave and demanding of the ball at all times and didn’t show any gestures of negativity.
Matko took the penalty with the final kick of the game. Whilst no sign of nerves were visible, Matko's penalty was wild and lacked composure.
Any other business
There doesn’t seem to be any reason why Matko couldn’t be effective on the left flank as well as the right although that wasn’t a tactic applied in this game. Matko has the required attributes to be able to play an inverted winger role.
Verdict
Key strengths
Acceleration
Dribbling
Balance
Work rate
Risks to mitigate
Inconsistent final action
Penalty box composure
Height disadvantage
Current level recommendation
CH- (Lower range of Championship)
Potential level recommendation
CH+ (Top range of Championship)