Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has given an insight into the role data and analytics play at the club - both in preparation for games, and in transfer recruitment.
The Welshman recently added David Tivey to his backroom staff, as head of sport science, with the pair having worked together at Swansea City and for England Under-17s.
Reds chief executive Dane Murphy has also spoken about the importance of data, while the club brought in George Syrianos, who was head of analytics at Bundesliga side Vfb Stuttgart, during the summer.
And as the January window approaches, careful analysis of a player’s statistics will play a part in Forest’s decision-making process.
January exit?
Forgotten summer signing Xande Silva could be set to leave Nottingham Forest in the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old penned a two-year deal with the Reds on deadline day in the summer, making the move from West Ham United.
However, he has featured just once since then, coming off the bench in what proved to be Chris Hughton’s final match in charge of Forest, a 2-0 defeat at home to Middlesbrough.
He has yet to even be included in a matchday squad under Steve Cooper, finding himself down the pecking order.
International duty
Nottingham Forest defender Mohamed Drager has linked up with the Tunisia national team part way through the FIFA Arab Cup.
The Reds right-back joined up with his country at the weekend for the tournament, which is taking place in Qatar as a prelude to next year’s World Cup.
And he was included in the starting XI for Monday’s 1-0 victory over United Arab Emirates as the Eagles secured a place in the knockout phases.
They are due to play Oman in the quarter-final on Friday, at the Education City Stadium. If they progress, the semi-finals take place on Wednesday, December 15, followed by the match for third place and the final on Saturday, December 18.
Championship news
Preston North End moved quickly to appoint Frankie McAvoy's successor when the Scot was sacked on Monday night.
They lured Ryan Lowe to Deepdale from Plymouth Argyle and have appointed Mike Marsh as a first-team coach in a flurry of activity on Tuesday.
Marsh is a trusted ally of Forest boss Cooper, working with him at England's Under-17s and with Swansea City before leaving South Wales in the summer.
Alan Tate is Cooper's assistant coach, while Steven Reid holds the same position at the City Ground.
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