I can tell you for a fact that DW wanted Winnall. He wasn't a spreadsheet signing. Part of the reason why he was sacked is becuse he wanted to retain some ability to track and sign his own players. LJ had this and signed Michael Smith. So far, no scope for Hecky to do the same
Until Yiadom or Cavare is fit we dont have the defenders to play in a back 4 - Left back is a bit of a problem . We might get away with it if we had a Left Mid with the defensive capabilities of Hammill but neither Barnes nor Hedges show much aptitude for that Once Yids is fit we could play a back 3 with him on Left Mid - dont think we will though - he will just slot into the left back position
Yep. Agree with all that. Very few options to change the system. A few options in terms of personnel but I'm not sure if they are any better than who is already playing. I've heard worrying things about Cavare's attitude.
Winnall looked very much like a spreadsheet signing under 25 good stats lower league. Lj may have signed Michael Smith on loan. He also signed Roberts,watkins,mawson. Both lee Jay and danny made good and bad signings. Wilson also gave us Alex kimwoyma lita treacy Ross Turnbull. We hadn't won since November away from home I think that was a big reason. Lee Jay would have got the same if we hadn't given him a 3 year deal. Hecky has had 3 Windows and I think his he has been poor in recruitment.
How many more times does someone have to tell you how the club signs players now? Targets are identified by means of statistical analysis. It is why Billy Beane is wanting to buy 10% of us as he pioneered this approach in baseball. Under DW, it was not as embedded as it is now; there was still scope for the MANAGER to bring his own targets in - as you say he signed some that worked and some that didn't. He had been looking at SW since his time at Sheff U. LJ worked under a more stringent applciation fo teh recruitment strategy but (in Patrick's own words) was allowed to decide to bring in Michael Smith, how was garbage. Other players were recruited based upon the statistical analysis method. PH has worked in the fullimplementation of the statistical approach to recruitment. All signings to date, with the possible exception of Gary Gardner have been recruited based upon being identified by the statistical model in place. PH can say yes or no to potential targets. So he may reject several to decide upon a shortlist that the club then try and sign. It is why he went ballistic after the shambles at Rotherham. It is why we have an unbalnced squad. We have signed 5 players so far trying to find/develop another Conor Houriane. Not one is close so far. Lee Johnson was not on a three year deal as far as I can recall.
Pretty sure he was on a 3 year deal me old. Conor hourhine was brought to the club's attention from the spreadsheet and suggested to danny. Danny liked what he saw and him and Patrick met Conor at Manchester airport before he went on holiday and the rest is history. That was from the horses mouth. Danny also worked from the spreadsheet but was allowed to bring in his own more experienced players he wanted.
Thanks for agreeing with me. Hecky had Potts suggested to him. We've no idea who the alternative might have been. Just checked and you're right about his contract.
At the end of the day spreadsheet or not the manager/head coach has final say and will ultimately take any credit / blame and that’s right imo. I credit Wilson and Johnson with some good signings though at least one of Wilson’ s Winnall was as said off book and some less good ones but neither could get those signings playing properly. The recruitment since promotion as been average to poor. Of 5he permanent signings from last year you could only say Yiadom and MacDonald were successful with the jury out on the rest though Hedges looks promising and Bradshaw is a decent squad player. Far too early to tell about this years lot the problem we have is that we need all of them to be good enough straightaway that’s never going to happen. Only 50 percent at best will succeed and some of them not straight away. Onwards and upwards