Shahid Khan's programme notes were smothered in diplomacy - but there was no doubting the message that Slavisa Jokanovic's rant on Fulham transfer policy was heard loud and clear.

The head coach complained bitterly that data analyst Craig Kline ignored potential targets because they failed to tick boxes on Kline's check box of statistics.

The policy was an echo of the Jonah Hill character in the movie 'Moneyball' whose data evidence decides the success of a baseball team.

Owner Khan agreed there was a learning curve that saw the club soften its policy to speed up the process of signing 14 new faces.

Moneyball men: Jonah Hill (L) and Brad Pitt

Khan tellingly wrote: "Our scouting staff which is balanced and extremely strong in both classic scouting and player data - also listened and worked with Slav.

"The transfer window that just concluded is an excellent example of how our personality is changing.

"Slav was unafraid over the past few weeks to express, candidly, his opinion as to what he wanted in the name of improving our First Team squad and in the overall process of player scouting and recruitment.

"Slav’s comments inspired public conversation and drew some scrutiny. But, the views he shared didn’t distract us. If anything, they were refreshing.

"The road to excellence, in business or sport, is rarely smooth, and in our case it was evident that we now have a Head Coach who prefers accomplishment over hope. So Slav spoke and I respected his opinion without qualification."

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