Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert
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andywatsonsport.bsky.social
Andy Watson - GBE/ESC Expert
@andywatsonsport.bsky.social
Usually working on football data or research. Ask me anything on GBE in football. Enjoy all sports, especially athletics & tennis.
"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...
May 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
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...
May 8, 2025 at 11:02 AM
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...
May 5, 2025 at 3:54 PM
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...
April 17, 2025 at 10:38 AM
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...
March 31, 2025 at 8:04 AM
It's tight. I'll be honest I had him down as GBE too initially

No apps in Europe in this or last season = 0pts

Only 29% Bundesliga mins = 0pts, but 30% = 6pts

Polish international time in last year = 0pts

Promotion = 1pt

So if they pinched 1% mins from somewhere, possible, then he could be GBE
January 28, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Dare I say...HERE WE GO!?

Episode 1 recorded and in the can.

Coming to your ears 20/01/2025

#GBEESCrecruitment
January 18, 2025 at 11:09 AM
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...
January 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM
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!
January 2, 2025 at 11:23 AM
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...
December 20, 2024 at 1:35 PM
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...
December 18, 2024 at 3:10 PM
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...
December 6, 2024 at 3:09 PM
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...
December 6, 2024 at 10:10 AM
A couple of real successes here from the youth data, and all ten are in and around a decent level, and none are older than 21yo so there is plenty of chance for more success.

I have just re-tooled the AWRSS to use in conjunction with The GBE Expert Hub to identify talent across the world.
November 29, 2024 at 9:44 PM
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
November 29, 2024 at 9:44 PM
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.
November 28, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Can't remember seeing a better save for quite some time than Emi Martínez's effort for Villa last night.
November 28, 2024 at 1:20 AM
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.
November 24, 2024 at 8:18 PM
*SCOUTING OPPORTUNITY*

Straight up, this is not currently a paid gig.

But we are building something special here at The GBE Expert Hub & if you want to showcase your skills in front of some influential and important football people then this is a great way to do it.

1/2 reports a week on video
November 21, 2024 at 5:17 PM
Two weeks to go...

@brad8926.bsky.social has started writing player reports...

I have planned out the first twelve days of content...

Meetings with agents, companies and clubs booked in...

Exciting times!
November 18, 2024 at 4:37 PM
It is the final international break of 2024, so, for me, it means "Who is qualifying for GBE or ESC this week??"

I know, I know. It's a thrilling life.

But I am 100% certain that there will be some gems that qualify for a move to the UK this week that no-one else will be in for.

Time to watch 👀
November 14, 2024 at 10:55 AM
Hello Bluesky!

Of course, my first post had to be about The GBE Expert Hub!

Launching on Dec 1st, with 12 days of free content, we are here to demystify and analyse all things around work permits in UK Football!

Check out the platform and everything it entails at andywatsongbe.substack.com
November 13, 2024 at 5:04 PM