OWEN Garvan is using the appliance of science to help him become an even better player.The gifted Irish midfielder admits he is a fan of the ProZone system, which allows coaches to analyse what a player has done during a game and what he can to get better.

By Derek Davis

OWEN Garvan is using the appliance of science to help him become an even better player.

The gifted Irish midfielder admits he is a fan of the ProZone system, which allows coaches to analyse what a player has done during a game and what he can to get better.

Garvan said: “It is used a lot by clubs to find out about how much possession the team has had or how far someone has run so I try and balance out which is particularly useful for me.

“After every game a lot of the lads will look at the ProZone to analyse the game, which can only help.”

Using video technology to aid players caused controversy recently when it emerged Steve McClaren sent his England palyers DVDs of their own individual roles in the defeat by Spain but Garvan believes it is a good thing.

He said: “There is nothing wrong with the manager doing that and then it is up to the players what they do with it

“The good players will look at the DVD and see where the manager is coming from, accept the criticism and learn from it.”

The 19-year-old has had a stop-start season after suffering from shingles earlier in the season and a gashed foot more recently. All of which has not helped him build up a rhythm, yet he has still put in some good displays.

Garvan said: “It has been a weird season for me and for one reason or another I have been in and out.

“One or two of my performances could have been better but I'm still trying to improve my game. I'm listening to various people at the club to learn from and always picking up bits of advice.”

His return to form has been noticed on the international front and he was selected for the Republic of Ireland squad to play in a tournament in Madeira but was pulled out, along with Shane Supple by Ipswich.

It has been frustrating on the national front after playing for his country as a schoolboy he has not won caps since, despite being selected.

He said: “I have not played for three years but that is the way things go. Every player wants to represent their country and I'm no different.

“At the moment the results are not going well for us and I want to focus all my energy on Ipswich and helping them.”

But being far from Dublin has not been too much of a problem, especially with so many other lads from the Emerald Isle to keep him company.

He said: “It is funny how it has worked out with all the players coming here with Irish blood - I'm not sure how much Irish blood some of them have but it is good.

“It is the same with Wolves and Sunderland, which shows the way some teams are going.”

Garvan is close to reaching the 50-game mark for Town and with a little help from science he will surely go on to make many more appearances.

ProZone provides in-depth data by using specially set up cameras dotted around a football ground.

The format is designed to help coaches and players analyse the game by capturing and delivering raw data on-screen.

The company was founded in 1998 and is part of the Sport Asset Group's network of companies with former Manchester City player Ray Ranson at the head.