MONEYBALL HOLLYWOOD
Oldham’s crash from Prem is not the only National tale of woe Notts County manager Luke Williams was Poyet disciple at Brighton... now his ‘data revolution’ is rattling Wrexham’s A-listers
THE Latics dropped into League
Two for the first time since 1971 just five years ago – but that was only the beginning of their problems.
Since then, there has been chaos at Boundary Park, not helped by the fact that there were different owners of the club and the stadium.
Eventually, amid much recrimination, 10 months ago, the club suffered the fate of becoming the first former Premier League side to drop into non-League.
Finally, following a takeover by businessman Frank Rothwell, a semblance of calm has descended but at what cost to the club and fans?
SCUNTHORPE UNITED
THE Iron waved goodbye to a 72-year stint in League football last April as they finally paid a price for flirting with the drop once too often.
The current campaign has been – putting it politely – a roller-coaster. The club has been subject of a winding-up order and sat bottom of the National League midway through last month.
Since then, businessman David Hilton has taken over and paid up several of the outstanding debts, allowing a transfer embargo to be lifted. And with a renewed sense of optimism due to the buy-out, they could escape the drop.
YEOVIL TOWN
AFTER an illustrious stint in non-League football, the
Glovers achieved their dream back in 2003 with promotion to the Football League.
The club made it into the Championship where they spent one season, eight years ago. But back-to-back relegations knocked the stuffing out of them and after three seasons flirting with relegation they fell out of the Football League three years ago.
Currently sitting in mid-table, the club has been stabilised but with the competition appearing to become stiffer by the year, it could be some time before the chance comes again to savour League football.
THE NUMBERS – always the numbers.
Notts County are currently on track in the National League to finish with a staggering points haul up around the 110 mark – and aiming even higher.
There’s only one big problem. So, too, are Wrexham.
While the nation’s attention has been grabbed by the glitz and glamour of Ryan Reynolds’ Hollywood shake-up at the Racecourse Ground, a very different revolution has been taking place in the east Midlands.
A data-driven strategy – quiet, understated but devastatingly effective – is reaping rewards at
Notts County.
With this ‘Moneyball’ approach and on-pitch tactics driven by football purist boss Luke
Williams, County are bidding to tear up the script of a fairytale ending in Wales.
After yesterday’s games, just two points separate the two clubs.
Wrexham are in second but have two games in hand. It’s all to play for.
“I don’t know how it will end,” said Williams,
who cites former Brighton boss Gus Poyet as having a major input on his own philosophy, “but the numbers being stacked up are incredible.
“This season we’ve been the first club in the country to hit 70 points. The first to break 80. We have the most goals in open play.
“It might sound crazy, and we’re at the top of the table, but we have a mentality that we’re second.
“We find it difficult to believe that Wrexham won’t win their two games in hand. In our minds, it’s us chasing them.
“We came out against Southend on Tuesday night to hunt Wrexham down. They’re an incredible side. We know they’ll win those games in hand, and what we’re doing is not enough.”
Williams’ passion for coaching was ignited by sharing an office with Poyet at Brighton, while in
charge of the Under-21s. The Uruguayan’s preachings were devoured.
Williams said: “I felt strongly that football should be played with a passion where you can express yourself. Gus was my first big influence. I can’t tell you how much I learnt from him and how generous he was.
“We shared an office. I coached the Under-21s. He said to me, ‘I can’t tell you how to coach. I’m a manager. I get across what I want’.
“He gave me small guidelines such as, ‘If I’m coming to watch your team you’d better make sure you have all the ball and all the chances. I don’t want to see it being passed around and goals not being scored’.”
The 42-year-old Williams has put that attacking outlook at the heart of County. Macaulay Langstaff (left) has benefited most, bagging 32 goals from his 34 league appearances.
County put four past Southend in midweek, but last night were shocked 2-1 by visitors Dagenham and Redbridge.
Defender Connell Rawlinson has thrived during the data-led revolution, pioneered by Danish owners Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz, who are making waves using their Football Radar company.
There’s only one problem for the centre-half. He hails from north Wales. In fact, you’ve guessed it, he was born in Wrexham.
Rawlinson said: “If I go to the pub with my dad, then it all starts. I’ve seen Wrexham and their fans suffer for years.
“However, I’m a professional footballer with Notts County – I’m Notts through and through – and it’s unfortunate they’re competing with us.
“I think they’re a great side, great players. What the ownership is doing there is expanding knowledge of nonLeague football. There’s a lot more eyes on it. It’s helping everyone.
“It’s pushing us too, in a strange way. In a normal season, you might think, ‘We’re romping this.’ But would we be as consistent as we are without them? Would we be as mean and hungry as we are without the pressure?
“If you’ve got the right players, that pressure brings out their best. They know how to thrive on it. They know how to perform under it. It’s making it special – whether it’s us or Wrexham.”
That could all turn on Easter Monday at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.
In the finest Hollywood tradition, a cliff-hanger, a showdown.
At Notts County, you get the feeling they would welcome it.