Moneyball! Wayne Rooney reveals data-led transfer strategy at Plymouth – with January targets already being identified

The Manchester United legend is in the process of piecing together plans for the January window, with additions clearly required at Home Park as the Pilgrims languish at the foot of the Championship table. Rooney has been made aware of how much he has to spend.

Funds will be in short supply, with Plymouth working on a limited budget, which makes finding value and unearthing hidden gems all the more important. That process in Devon is being aided by statistical analysis – with an approach that became famous in baseball circles now being embraced across the sporting board.

Rooney has said of efforts to get fresh faces through the door: “There is one which we have had an eye on for a long time - well, certainly six months - we are hopeful we can do, and then there is other players we are trying to bring in which will help us. They are not close at the minute but we know the players we want to bring in. We have identified players and then back-up players to that, and back-up players to the back-up players. That's how it works and certainly in January sometimes it takes longer. We hope we can get players in as soon as possible. If not we have to keep working.”

The ex-England captain added on how primary targets are settled upon: “We identify players a lot of the time with the data of what suits us, what fits the club, and the players' qualities. We come up with a list - myself, the coaches, Neil (Dewsnip, director of football) and Jimmy (Dickinson, head of recruitment) - and we sit down and watch the players together and make a decision. It's a big team effort. I think the recruitment team are really good here which certainly allows me to do my job and lets them do theirs. Of course, when it comes to making a decision on whether to pull the trigger and try to bring someone in, or approach players, then I have final say on that and we go from there.”

Rooney needs to find inspiration from somewhere as Plymouth have picked just 18 points from 21 games this season. If results do not improve then a coach that spent just 83 days in his last job at Birmingham may find another short reign being brought to a close.