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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

"It is not easy to come over to League One, play 46 games, all kinds of pitches, weather etc. It is what makes these leagues so exciting!" And as @AliMaxwell_ & I discussed on the new GBE Eye Pod is one a factor which makes recruitment in L1 so difficult www.gbeexperthub.com/p/efl-league...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

A huge piece looking into League One specifically from a GBE and ESC recruitment perspective. What has happened so far? What will happen? Where should L1 clubs look to scout? www.gbeexperthub.com/p/league-one...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

League One Week begins with an exciting young African talent who has landed in one of the Eastern European leagues, but is available for immediate transfer to England under the ESC legislation" Big week on the GBE Expert Hub platform for pro subscribers www.gbeexperthub.com/p/ehije-ukak...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

We round off April with our free monthly piece for subscribers. We dig into the managerial merry-go-round post-Brexit. What has happened in terms of the quantity of non-domestic manager appointments, and have they actually had the desired impact? www.gbeexperthub.com/p/could-the-...

gbeexperthub.com

Could "The Great EFL Championship Manager Hunt" involve GBE?

Southampton, Norwich City, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion all need new permanent managers for the forthcoming EFL Championship season...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Using ESC slots in EFL L2 has been done by 3 clubs so far, should it be more? Our L2 week continues with an analysis piece that delves into this question. I believe that if you are connected to an L2 club then you will get so much out of this piece. www.gbeexperthub.com/p/esc-and-ef...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

I am joined by @hyfprw.bsky.social for a wander through the Balkans trying to find some interesting footballers. Some great tips for leagues ranging from North Macedonia and Montenegro through to Croatia and Serbia. www.gbeexperthub.com/p/croatia-se...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Finally. Someone else applies this really important piece of information into the debate around player health and workload. It is not just how many minutes we are asking them to play, it is the intensity in which we are asking them to do it. Both in training and in matches.

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Dealing with GBE in Scotland is very different than in England. To discuss this I invited @liamhenshaw.com onto the GBE Eye Podcast. This is a *free* podcast for everyone to listen to & if you work in recruitment, especially in Scotland, it is worth 30mins www.gbeexperthub.com/p/what-is-ha...

gbeexperthub.com

What is happening with GBE in Scotland - with Liam Henshaw of Hearts - GBE Eye Podcast #10

How is GBE interpreted in Scotland, and what makes it different to England?

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

One of my favourite pieces, a big old deep dive into Scottish football and how the SFA's GBE policies are changing the Premiership. www.gbeexperthub.com/p/the-effect...

gbeexperthub.com

Fewer Premiership minutes for Scottish players? The Scotland GBE Situation: Part 1

What is happening with GBE allocation north of the border?

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Excited about the new League of Ireland season that is about to kick-off? Did Michael Noonan's winner for Shamrock Rovers on Thursday turn you on to Irish football? The GBE Eye podcast is *free* for everyone this week & concentrates on 🇮🇪 andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/northern-i...

andywatsongbe.substack.com

Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland GBE Deep Dive - GBE Eye Podcast #5

How have the post-Brexit arrangements affected the relationships and recruitment across the Irish Sea?

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

What went on in the January Transfer Window?? Lots and lots of GBE and ESC transfers. Records were broken. Clubs filled their ESC slots. PL & EFL covered! Free mega piece for everyone! andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/records-ar...

andywatsongbe.substack.com

Records Are Broken in The Championship: The January Window Reviewed

Using the lens of The GBE Expert Hub, what went down in GBE/ESC circles in January, and why?

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

*FREE AGENTS WEEK* It is tough to get complex deals done atm There are some Free Agents who hit the GBE/ESC criteria who should be interesting EFL & Scottish clubs, we will be focusing on them *all week* Beginning with this bulletin for pro subscribers andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/free-agenc...

andywatsongbe.substack.com

Free agency GBE style, January updates & the J1 League in focus: GBE Pro Bulletin 5

The final bulletin from within the UK transfer window has a main driver of discussing free agents.

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Yesterday, Southampton were thwarted in their attempts to appoint 777s Johannes Spors as their new sporting director. @SidPanayi and I have addressed the issue *Why did this happen? *What are the regulations? *Who could pass? andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/sporting-d...

andywatsongbe.substack.com

Sporting Directors & The GBE Rules

Why Johannes Spors was denied a work permit & whether this is a maintainable position for The FA/Home Office

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

The GBE Eye Podcast is now live! *What is GBE and ESC? *A brief focus on the January transfer window *2 players that British clubs should be looking at this month *3 free agents that should be signed to improve your squads Listen to Episode 1 for *FREE* andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/the-gbe-ey...

andywatsongbe.substack.com

The GBE Eye - Episode 1 - What are we doing?

Listen now | features Ringo Meerveld, Ibrahim Olawoyin, Alexander Abrahamsson, Patrick Metcalfe, and Henrik Castegren.

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Dare I say...HERE WE GO!? Episode 1 recorded and in the can. Coming to your ears 20/01/2025 #GBEESCrecruitment

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

ESC slots are a big deal. Norwich have just had to suspend registration of Matej Jurasek because of them. My latest free piece for andywatsongbe.substack.com concentrates on how to use them and convert them. andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/the-esc-sl...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

I love Football Manager. Work in the game has reduced my recent ability to play the game, but I have felt connected to it ever since receiving my first copy, CM98/99, as a teenager. I got to talk GBE/ESC with @tonyjameson.bsky.social and Si Maggio on The FM Show this week youtu.be/rDdEubWZYUk?...

youtu.be

Premier League & EFL Recruitment Expert shares his Football Manager tips

YouTube video by The FM Show Podcast - A Football Manager Podcast

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Yesterday, all of the paid subscribers of the GBE Expert Hub received their first Pro GBE Bulletin. This is a weekly analysis that you will not get elsewhere. It is a truly unique offering. Tomorrow, this will be followed by a player report. Link is in the comments to join in!

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

Interesting to see reports of Michael Wimmer being approached to manage in L1 Looks to be a great profile for that level, but he doesn't meet the criteria for a head coach role He is months short of the requisite experience, needs 2yrs consecutive, or 3yrs total open.substack.com/pub/andywats...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Was just in Lidl at 21:50 Had a chat with the staff member counting the bakery items left at the end of the day "It must be difficult to work out how many to make" I said, surveying the vast quantities of croissants & baked goods "The worst thing is, it all goes in the bin" In. The. Bin! WTF!!

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Went to Boro U21 v Benfica U21 tonight. Benfica #73 Beni Souza was an absolute class above. He won the penalty that won the game for the Portuguese. Boro really struggled to create anything against a physically dominant opponent.

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

The 12 Days of content are done, this is the future of The GBE Expert Hub. Can we help you? Can you help us? andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/the-gbe-ex...

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Craig Bradley @brad8926.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Scored versus Cambuur in the KNVB Beker last night. 2nd goal in 3 matches. Convinced he’d be an asset to many a Championship club.

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

The combination of ESC transfers and the EFL is one that is going to be really important over the next few years. What can we learn from the first 18 months of the ESC regulations in the EFL? andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/the-best-e...

andywatsongbe.substack.com

The best ESC/EFL combos in a post-Brexit world, featuring a GBE Expert Player Report on Miliano Jonathans

Day 11 of the 12 Days of GBE Expert Hub Content

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Yassin Oukili is an interesting profile who is soon OOC at RKC in the Eredivisie, which is Band 2 in GBE. @brad8926.bsky.social has done a report on Oukili which forms part of our offering on GBE Expert Hub today, plus analysis on Band 1-3 recruitment andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/the-most-i...

andywatsongbe.substack.com

The most important learning from recruiting in Bands 1-3, including GBE Expert Player Report on Yassin Oukili

Day 9 of the 12 Days of GBE Expert Hub Content

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

The last two days on The GBE Expert Hub we have looked deeper into the Premier League and then the EFL analysing the transfer trends and the effects of GBE/ESC in those leagues. Had really good feedback on these pieces so check them out! andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/the-most-i...

andywatsongbe.substack.com

The most important EFL trends

Day 8 of the 12 Days of GBE Expert Hub Content

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Following a couple of days' break, we are back with a piece of content going into subscribers' inboxes at 7pm tonight. So far we have covered the basics of GBE/ESC, the women's game, non-playing staff, home nations & GBE Expert Hub player reports! And it's all for free! andywatsongbe.substack.com

andywatsongbe.substack.com

Andy Watson - GBE & ESC Expert | Substack

All the data and information you need to find out how football recruitment can be improved through knowledge of the GBE & ESC legislation in the UK. Click to read Andy Watson - GBE & ESC Expert, a Sub...

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Reposted by Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert

Not The Top 20 @ntt20.com · 06/12/2024

WELCOME TO THE SOUND OF THE START OF YOUR WEEKEND! 🎉 #EFL

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Tom Curren @tomoc.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Here's my end-of-year editor's blog for 2024. It's a colossal 5000-word mess covering the year that was, the year to come, our big project at SCOUTED, and some other rubbish. Enjoy? www.scoutednotebook.com/p/the-techni...

scoutednotebook.com

This year at SCOUTED: The Technical Area, November 2024

This month at SCOUTED, we reflect.

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Felix Morson-Pate @felixpate.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Great work being done here

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

We at The GBE Expert Hub hope that you have enjoyed this week of free content to launch the platform culminating in this piece containing 2 of our player reports! If there's anyone in your network who you think will benefit from this then please send on! andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/the-gbe-ex...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Day 5 of The GBE Expert content launch sees us change tack a bit and move away from the pitch. GBE also applies to non-playing staff, not even just head coaches either, but assistants, directors of football, performance managers, and youth coaching staff andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/gbe-for-ma...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Time to discussion the regulations in the women's game now on Day 4 of the 12 Days of GBE! andywatsongbe.substack.com/p/gbe-in-the...

andywatsongbe.substack.com

GBE in the Women's Game

Day 4 of the 12 Days of GBE Expert Hub Content

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

On Day 3 of the 12 Days of GBE we take a look at the different ways that Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are tackling the issue of GBE for their own clubs. There are clear similarities but also some differences. open.substack.com/pub/andywats...

open.substack.com

GBE in the Home Nations

Day 3 of the 12 Days of GBE Expert Hub Content

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Day 2 of the 12 Days of GBE concentrates on the ESC legislation that came in for 2023/24. Find out what it is, how it works, and what impact it has had on recruitment in football in England. open.substack.com/pub/andywats...

open.substack.com

The Basics of ESC

Day 2 of The 12 Days of GBE Expert Hub Launch

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Couldn't be happier about this. Do not scratch your eyes...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Huge day for me personally as the first official piece of content drops on my project, The GBE Expert Hub! The first 12 days of content will be free, and there will be free content forever, so you have nothing to lose and only knowledge to gain by signing up! open.substack.com/pub/andywats...

open.substack.com

The Basics of GBE

Day 1 of The 12 Days of GBE Expert Hub Launch

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

The extraordinary talents of Tyler Dibling are there for all to see tonight against Brighton. He first name across my attention in April 2022 when I used the original AWRSS to find talented young "dribbling wingers" Let's have a look at what has happened to everyone else on the top list

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

When you work in football it can sometimes take some of the fun and joy out of it. That's why it was so great to attend the match with these two miscreants last night. They had an amazing time, and it was the daughter's first ever senior match.

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Can't remember seeing a better save for quite some time than Emi Martínez's effort for Villa last night.

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Not exactly breaking any new ground with this statement... But Alexis Mac Allister is an incredible footballer.

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Speaking at FTF12 today about GBE and ESC. Hoping to make it an enjoyable 30 minutes for all concerned! I will share some images from the presentation at a later date, some interesting data, especially about the women's game!

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Reposted by Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert

Tom Curren @tomoc.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Long read from me: Jake and I sat down with Diego Luna, the newly crowned MLS Young Player of the Year. A story about coffee, community, futsal, international allegiance and outside-of-the-foot passes. ☕: www.scoutednotebook.com/p/diego-luna...

scoutednotebook.com

Diego Luna shoots for the moon

The MLS’ Young Player of the Year looks to the sky - while fighting to keep both feet on the ground.

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Tim Keech @timkeech.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

mrktinsights.com/index.php/20... ICYMI. The people who make risky decisions in football clubs have a completely different idea of risk than the people who own the clubs. Whose risk is it anyway?

mrktinsights.com

Whose risk? - MRKT Insights - Football Consultancy Services

Reputational Risk Limits Upsides Football is a uniquely pressured industry. There are very few jobs compared to the number of applicants. Almost ever fan thinks they could do better than the “idiots” ...

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

There are some players in this team. Alfie Devine getting great experience outside of the limelight here. Luka Vuskovic is a monster. Future star without a doubt. There are another couple of players I would have in my EFL Championship squads as well from here.

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Reposted by Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert

Tim Keech @timkeech.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Hutchinson and Delap examples of players everyone knew were on the track to be PL players but someone had to take a punt. I'd much rather gamble on those types than 24+ year olds from overseas.

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Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert @andywatsonsport.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

There's a player that I've been following for 2 years who just scored again today to make it 5 matches in a row that they have scored, 7 goals in total. He qualifies for an ESC now as a result of his international appearances I genuinely think that he could make a big impact in the EFL somewhere

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Not The Top 20 @ntt20.com · 21/11/2024

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗶𝗽𝘀? ✍️ Up and down the division, second-tier strikers are performing like second-rate finishers. @alimaxwell.bsky.social examines why - and invents a new metric… 👀 www.ntt20.com/p/have-champ... #EFL

ntt20.com

Have Championship strikers got the yips?

Up and down the division, second-tier strikers are performing like second-rate finishers. Ali Maxwell examines why — and invents a new metric…

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