Statistics show why reignited interest in
POMPEY are looking to sign one of the National League’s most prolific and imposing players by reigniting their interest in Notts County’s Kyle Wootton.
And the stats reveal why head coach Danny Cowley is actively pursuing the Magpies hitman, as he looks to shake up his forward line going into the 2022-23 League One campaign.
The News reported this week that the Blues are ready to pounce for the 25-year-old’s services, but are facing a battle with League Two new boys Stockport County to secure them.
However, it’s also believed the forward is keen on a move to Fratton Park and a jump of two divisions.
If he is to do so, he’ll be confident of replicating his 21-goal haul from last term - but when using Wyscout’s comprehensive performance data, it’s clear he’s more than just a goalscorer.
The former Scunthorpe man flourishes in aerial duels, averaging 7.31 successful battles won per game - which is just over 50% of all he contests.
Despite his 6ft 2in frame, Wootton is also no slouch on the deck, completing an average of 1.28 dribbles per game while boasting a 79.2 per cent pass accuracy.
An element of Pompey’s game that let them down last term was the inability to score across long periods of the season.
But Wootton may help rectify that issue. The striker is outscoring his xG of 17.5 – which suggests, more often than not, he converts chances that come his way.
It’s not just his work on the ball that has seen him court the attention of Championship clubs, as he
is also a useful asset in ball recoveries.
This season, he wins 57.7 per cent of his attempted turnovers with an average of 2.3 per game.
The former Lincoln man also ticks a number of the club’s transfer boxes.
His age qualifies him into the category of players they can sign, nurture and sell for profit from nonleague in the eyes of the hierarchy.
And the fact he’ll be available for free in pre-season makes him even more appealing to Cowley.
It’s no secret Pompey are in the market for new strikers this summer.
At present, the club have no senior strikers contracted beyond June. Aiden O’Brien’s short-term deal will be up, while the loans of George Hirst and Tyler Walker have finished.
This has seen them linked with a swathe of figures, with Wootton understood to be high on their priority list.
And the Blues will likely be keeping a close eye on his performances during the upcoming National League play-offs.
The Magpies, who finished the regular season in fifth place, will host Grimsby in the eliminator stage on Monday night.
A victory there would then see them travel to runners-up Wrexham in the semi-finals next Saturday.
The final will be played on Sunday, June 5.
The League One play-off final takes place at Wembley today (3pm) as Sunderland take on Wycombe.
Sunderland edged out Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-finals, while Wycombe overcame MK Dons.