11 Questions with Matt Cheetham

The pursuit of wisdom in any walk of life quickly reveals that what you think you know is not nearly enough to get you to where you want to go. As I'm starting out in my football scouting journey I challenged myself to reach out to those already working in various roles in football to answer a short list of questions. My goal wasn't to get answers but relevant perspectives on the game within the game.

Here is Matt Cheetham:

How did your first opportunity in football come about?

Think my very first opportunity was just out of uni, thanks to AFC Wimbledon. My degree wasn’t relevant to football, so I needed to improve my CV. I contacted the club and they kindly added me to their match-reporting rota, which went on their website or in match programmes. Unpaid, but first steps and helped a lot.

What attracted you to data/analytics?

I’ve always been weirdly obsessed with numbers around sport. From scoring cricket matches to keeping endless spreadsheets of personal 5-a-side teams, etc. 

My job is far more about data than analytics – finding the stat before, during or just after a game that gets everyone talking. I read a lot around analytics but, more for my own interests than profession.

Who was/is your favorite footballer? What caught your eye?

First favourite footballer was Roberto Baggio, on the back of WC 94. Felt – with very young eyes! – that he was playing a different game to most on the field.

If you could start over what skill would you build on first?

Being able to code would make a lot of things quicker, or always helpful to be more advanced at Excel.

What is your favorite sports moment? Why?

Tough one. Two teams I follow closest are Everton and New York Jets and neither have delivered a trophy for a (painfully) long time! As pure moments, the Aguero(oooo) goal/or United’s late CL win stand out for pure drama. Actually, maybe Louis Saha’s FA Cup Final goal in 2009 – what followed wasn’t as pleasant… 

Away from football, absolutely loved Goran Ivanisevic’s run to win Wimbledon. Or Jets’ successive runs to AFC Champ games in ’09, ‘10

What coach/player/team inspires you? Why?

Predictable answer, but any underdog. Anyone getting an edge through numbers, whether through scouting or on the field.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into data/analytics?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I’m constantly badgering/annoying people by trying to understand something they understand that I don’t. And I guess try seek criticism; if it’s fair, it’s one of the best ways to improve.

What is your favorite app/tool to use (fun only!!)?

Have had access to some of Twenty3’s graphics which have been fun to use of late.

What other sport/hobby/discipline do you feel improves your work. Why?

I enjoy a lot of American sports. I think there’s a lot of great ways stats are shown over there and it always helps to see how other sports put things on screen. Cricket, too, has had so many fun recent additions through CricViz.