England players given iPad app to study their opponents

The England squad training for a successful campaign

England looking to improve their performance at the World Cup finals are relying on technology developed by the Football Association. The players have been given iPads that contain the Brazil 2014 scouting app specially designed to suit each member of the squad.

The programme has been built by Andy Scoulding, FA’s head of performance analysis. The app allows each player to access personal data and footage of their direct opponents at the tournament. The players had earlier made use of similar technology during their two-year qualification campaign to reach the finals.

The app is part of various techniques being employed to keep the squad a step ahead of their opponents including heat chambers to adapt the players to the Brazilian weather and the individual unit sessions for goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers.

Manchester City midfielder James Milner is happy about the progress being made through the use of technology.

“We’ve had meetings about how we want to play in units, and communication has been excellent. We haven’t left any stone unturned, and our preparation has been very good. The weather wasn’t as warm as we’d have liked in Europe, but the heat chambers helped us”

Speaking about the heat chambers he further states, “We did two sessions last week in the heat chambers, 20 minutes and 30 minutes on bikes, and we’re getting used to the conditions, simulating what we’ll have in Brazil. Before the last World Cup we did altitude training on the bikes, wearing oxygen masks. Everything’s been spot on and everybody is ready to go”