https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/462193/how-to-win-the-premier-league-by-graham-ian/9781529934632 I'm half way through this at the minute and it's fascinating. Explains a lot about what we tried to do analysis wise c2014/15. Biggest takeaway - only works when there's agreement across scouting, analysis and the manager. And interestingly our 'recruitment' has failed when we didn't have that consensus. Wilson mk2. Heckingbottom second season in Champ etc. Worth a read. Genuinely interesting.
The interesting thing for me was Cole was Val's last signing for the club. Then he signs for West Brom after Mowatt. Are the numbers men using the same algorithm now and it's who gets in there first? Flatman on Farrugia saying we got in there first.
Yep. He'll have been the best player available in that position, style and experience for the price they could get him. So they went for him. Same for Styles etc. On this new lad, there's talk of using European games to validate suitability for English football - the fact he's played Europa League and seemingly did ok v Chelsea will point to him being able to play L1. I'd imagine.