GIS Graduate Matt Jarvis on Analysing Opponents at Oxford United and Coaching at Juventus Academy

When Oxford United’s academy coaches prepare for a match, Matt Jarvis helps them understand how the opposition play. Since joining the club in August as an Academy Performance Analyst intern, he’s been able to see how coaches use his analysis in training and on matchdays.

Before taking up the role, Matt coached at Juventus Academy in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. He also completed the MSc Performance Analysis in Football at the Global Institute of Sport (GIS), where he worked with the same software he now uses every day at Oxford United.

Preparing for matchday at Oxford Untied

“There’s just something about English football that I am addicted to. The environment itself between staff and players, seeing the development of players, travelling to games, winning and losing.”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far at Oxford United. It has been eye-opening to watch and listen to professional academy coaches and see the detail that goes into their work.”

Matt looks for patterns in an opponent’s play and weaknesses Oxford’s coaches can prepare their players to exploit. Part of the job is being ready to adapt that work at short notice.

“It’s all about being proactive and prepared. Football is ever-changing, and you have to be able to think ahead and be prepared for things to change, whether that is last-minute changes needed in an analysis video or an impromptu post-match meeting.”

Coaching at Juventus Academy

At Juventus Academy, Matt coached in two countries using a shared approach to developing young players.

“In Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, my experience was within the academy environment, where there was a strong emphasis on technical development and working within a defined Juventus methodology. Working with the Juventus Academy also meant there was a consistent coaching framework that we followed.”

Using Hudl at GIS and Oxford United

For Matt, one of the most useful parts of the MSc was getting to work with Hudl. The practical assignments gave him experience with software he now relies on at Oxford United.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the course,” Matt recalls, having graduated earlier this year after studying full-time. “The balance between the academic and practical sides was ideal. There were enough practical challenges and access to Hudl software, which is something I am using daily at OUFC, which has helped me develop as an analyst.

“I strongly believe that this course has made a huge impact on my analysis skills.”

Alongside his studies, Matt gained further experience through an internship with Arlington Soccer Association, a club he continues to work with today.

Interested in how analysts help teams prepare for matchday? Explore the MSc Performance Analysis in Football at GIS.

Article by Zakaria Anani

Article by Zakaria Anani