Are comparisons significant?

We are all enthusiasts, differing only in fields. In football enthusiasm stems from our love, love for our teams, love for our close-to-heart players and coaches. This mutual feeling among two (or more) football enthusiasts, almost always, climaxes to comparisons.

'Player X is better than Y'. 'Coach X is better than Y'. Few of us ever stop to ponder on the significance. We love who we love and in so we want them to be not only better than the counter person they are in comparison with, we want them to be the best. So is human nature.

Accompany me in this essay as I try to gain distinction from the crowd and ponder on the significance of comparisons in football — if any exists.

The main question.
To puzzle-out this query and refute misconceptions sequestered to it, let's delve into the professional zone.

In the professional sphere, comparisons do exist, that is, with the dissension to provide value with it's outcomes. When properly carried out (which I will explain in a bit) the process of comparing is actually an important incentive.

Below is a non-exhaustive elaboration on how comparisons play out in the professional zone.

1. For scouts: working within tight budget constraints football clubs can't always afford the highest value signings on the market. Demand (needs and wants) at the same time is never-ending. Comparing provides information on the best viable candidate and proves a scouts ability to fulfill club demands.

2. For analysts: whether it be player, coach or team analysis, analysts are constantly expected to give intellectual, professional and reasoned takes on who/what is better then climaxing this process with executable solutions.

3. For head coaches/managers: burdened with day to day tactical decisions of a team head coaches are under massive pressure both internally and externally to always keep the clubs standard alive on the pitch. That includes choosing which players gets to start, which ones stay on the bench and which ones watch from their televisions.

4. For other professionals: the game evolves, players change, success is only possible if and only if everyone adapts. Methodologies need to be constantly reviewed and compared to trends for the best outcomes. This applies to assistant coaches, physical development coaches, set piece coaches, throw in coaches, physios, sports doctors, nutritionists, cooks etc.

5. For players: knowledge to compare cushions decision making processes for players. Those honing to develop successful career pathways need to compare their choices precisely. Inherently, one player can assess areas to better his game by simply relating himself to his colleagues.

Yes, comparisons are significant, they do matter but only when properly done. Now how do we compare properly? Continue scrolling.

Definition.
By definition, a comparison (with reference to football) is when two or more variables are related based on similarities and differences.

From this definition we obtain four parts of a comparison:

1. The variables
2. The reference
3. The relationship
4. Similarities and differences

The masses among football enthusiasts are flawed in their thought processes when comparing. Often, such comparisons are begotten as a bid for mandate-showcasing or just small talk to pass time. In truth, we should all be focusing on the above mentioned parts to achieve the cognitive content when comparing.

Let me explain further.

• The variables: is anything that is subjected to change or variance and holds value when assessed. These are the core actors in a comparison. Questions to ask: What are we comparing? Does it meet the laid sample space? What are the possible outcomes?
• The reference: the topic forehanded, a discipline with laws and principles. This shapes how one thinks when approaching the comparison. Questions to ask: What is the overarching topic? Have we established a reason behind?
• The relationship: a common base where the variables interconnect beleaguering and platforming the last final part. Questions to ask: What is the comparative base? Is the base strong enough?
• Similarities and differences: innate characters both akin and contrastive between given variables. Guiding points: Elaborate similarities. Elaborate differences. Questions to ask: What outweighs the other? What is the vastness of outweigh-ment? What are the reasons behind it?

Whenever there is a comparison initiated by enthusiasts then one of the following errors exists:

1. Error in choice of variable.
2. Error in cogitation of reference.
3. Error in establishing relatability.
4. Error in relation to individual knowledge.
5. Error in deciphering cues.
6. Error in individual mentality.
7. Error of exaggeration.
8. Error of down play.

Professional are aware and do well to evade such errors not only while comparing but throughout their thought processes.

What’s all that for? We just want to have fun!
Well, we are human beings, we have our differences. Different aspirations, different fantasies, different journeys, different behavior, different culture, different norms, even our physical appearances differ. If you want to have fun then have fun, enjoy to the fullest, do what makes you happy. But if you are a maniac obsessed with the little things that matter most, as I am then this essay was probably pretty helpful.