Tam Courts uses in-depth stats to lead the decision-making process as Dundee United boss.
Courts regularly updates spreadsheets that contribute to the data-led growth of his United team.
He uses it to aid team selection, target recruitment and to inspire added value from his squad.
“We only want to recruit players who will improve what we’ve actually got,” Courts told the North American Scottish Coaches Association.
“By using data it’s a way of validating gut feel and what our eyes tell us.”
Opta spike & Dundee United success
The data-led approach from Courts has, thus far, proved successful.
They are joint third with Hearts and recruitment has been excellent.
The majority of United’s squad has ‘levelled up’ from last term.
Courier Sport has delved into the data, using Opta stats, to pick out three players who have raised their game under Courts:
Ryan Edwards: The Liverpool Wall
Ryan Edwards is having the season of his life for Dundee United.
He currently tops the Scottish Premiership charts for the most clearances (94).
With three goals, the Liverpool-born star is also the joint-top goal-scoring defender.
He ranks fifth for aerial clearances.
But it’s the year-on-year improvement from Edwards that most impressive.
Out of 13 Opta metrics used to determined the effectiveness of a player’s performance, Edwards has improved in NINE.
Defensively, he’s making almost TWICE the amount of tackles and Edwards is more prominent in attack.
With goals at Hearts, Hibernian and in the win over Motherwell, Edwards averages 0.5 shots per game – double his tally in 2020/21.
The goals from our outstanding performance at Easter Road, with Nicky Clark, Ryan Edwards, and Kieran Freeman on the scoresheet as United demolished a lacklustre Hibernian, leapfrogging the Edinburgh side in the process🔥🍊 | #DUFC pic.twitter.com/n2BW6PwWPE
— OurDUFC (@OurDUFC) October 16, 2021
Ian Harkes: Living the American Dream
Ask any Dundee United which players have improved this term, and Harkes will feature in every list.
To the naked eye, Harkes has cranked his game up a few notches.
And the 25-year-old was September’s cinch Scottish Premiership Player of the Month.
With crucial goals in the wins over Aberdeen and Dundee and the Celtic draw, Harkes has made a significant impact.
Drill deeper into his stats and you see improvements in 11 of the 13 Opta categories.
Harkes has seen the biggest hike in passing accuracy, with an increase of over 5% to 80.35% per game.
He is more potent in attack with more shots and chances created.
3⃣ league goals for the season for @ian_harkes
This one proved to be the winner against Aberdeen!#cinchPrem | @dundeeunitedfc pic.twitter.com/ss0BRFJGdd
— SPFL (@spfl) November 22, 2021
‘Peter Pawlett baby’ maturing nicely
Courts urged Peter Pawlett to become a ‘key player’ after he impressed in pre-season.
Pawlett has risen to that challenge and become a crucial component of Dundee United’s three-pronged attack.
His comparative data is also impressive against last season’s. There are marked increases in EIGHT of the 13 Opta areas.
Pawlett has been given the freedom to roam this term and it’s evident in attacking numbers.
He averages 2.59 touches in the opposition box, compared to 1.76 last term.
Pawlett has also doubled his chances created from open play to 1.21 per game up from 0.52. He has almost twice the amount of shots.
Peter Pawlett bay-bay! 🙌
The Terrors are unbeaten in their last 5 league matches 👀💪#cinchPrem | @dundeeunitedfc pic.twitter.com/mamlSUQFUo
— SPFL (@spfl) October 28, 2021
