In their pursuit of data-driven perfection, Toulouse need a software update

The inability to find a moneyball solution for the departure of Thijs Dallinga has left Le TeFeCe languishing just above the relegation zone.

This summer has been a season of upheaval for Toulouse.

Out of circumstance and financial precarity, Les Violets made big money sales from players such as Logan Costa and Chris Mawissa. Both giving the club 34 million Euros total.

While making money in the transfer market is great, Toulouse decided to sell their star striker Thijs Dallinga to Bologna to generate more revenue from player sales.

While Toulouse’s data-driven approach helped them achieve the unthinkable by winning the Coupe de France, its summer signings have yet to hit the ground running, especially in the goal column.

In eight matches so far this season, Toulouse forwards have only scored seven goals. A paltry number if the club are to still dream about European qualification.

To address the goal-scoring crisis, the club decided to bring in an aging Joshua King, a trend that sees the club recruiting in the Norwegian market as opposed to Dutch players in the Ereste Divisie.

King is a forward who has only scored 11 goals in three seasons as he left Fenerbahce with a lot to be desired.

Any data software would know that he has not produced to a level a team in a top five league would expect. Nor does he have any sell-on value if the club decide to flip him. It seems like a gamble rather than any data-informed decision.

As a result, the club’s goal-scoring woes have continued.

Toulouse have not won a match since September 15th when they beat Le Havre 2-0 and they have only scored three goals since.

Defensively, they’re alright.

According to Footy Stats, they are middle of the road when it comes to conceding goals as they average 1.38 goals conceded per match.

Their xG per match total is 1.11, which is low.

The club’s top scorer is winger Shavy Babicka with three goals. Both strikers Frank Magri and King have one goal between them.

While there still is 26 matches left to play in the league, Toulouse will need to find a solution to rectify their situation before the January transfer window.

The Dallinga-sized hole in attack will have them as buyers in the window.

The the lack of hist from their data-driven signings this summer will have the calling calling their IT department to get a software update because if one relies on data to gain an advantage, you have to get more right than wrong.

This summer, the club has got more wrong than right, and hopefully those computers are updated and ready to go before the business end of the season.

Toulouse have a chance to get a much-needed win vs. bottom of the table Montpellier this Saturday away from home.