David Pleat replaced by robots as Spurs scout
- David Pleat has been let go from his scouting position at Tottenham Hotspur as the club adopts a data-centric approach to player recruitment.
- He voiced concerns that relying solely on statistics fails to capture important player attributes, such as teamwork and off-field behavior.
- Pleat's exit signifies a significant shift in the club's scouting strategy, which he believes undermines the value of traditional scouting methods.
David Pleat, a veteran scout and former manager for Tottenham Hotspur, has recently been let go from his scouting role as the club shifts towards a data-driven approach in talent identification. Pleat, who had been with the club for decades, expressed his concerns about the reliance on computer statistics, arguing that they cannot replace the insights gained from observing players in real-life situations. He emphasized the importance of understanding a player's character and interactions with teammates, which data alone cannot provide. In his new book, Pleat reflects on the changes at Tottenham during Antonio Conte's management, noting an increase in data scouts who rarely left their offices. This shift has led to a significant reduction in the number of traditional scouts, with five senior scouts released by March 2024, including Ian Broomfield, who had been chief scout under Harry Redknapp. Pleat's departure marks a notable change in the club's scouting philosophy, which he believes is unnecessary and detrimental to the scouting process. He had previously recommended several successful players to Spurs, including Dele Alli, and feels saddened by the club's current direction.