Brentford's analytical approach to scouting was expected to turn up a few surprising signings with Ryan Williams immediately catching the eye.
The 25-year-old was released by League Two Morecambe at the end of last season, so what is he doing signing for a club who finished in the top five of the Championship?
The answer to that is simple. He ticked the boxes the Bees' analytical methods have looked for.
Much has been made of the numbers approach to scouting but the stats also agree with common consensus.
Co-director of football Phil Giles said: “The data says that Lionel Messi is the best player. It's so clear cut. We can't afford Messi though so we're looking to sign players we can afford.”
That is, of course, not a shock. Only one player at this moment, Cristiano Ronaldo, can be considered to be in the same league as the Argentine magician.
So then, if we dive deeper into the methods Brentford use we come up with how the data is going to be utilised alongside the human eye.
Co-director of football Rasmus Ankersen said: “It’s a lot about understanding what stats can be used for and where the weaknesses with stats are.
“For example, it’s more difficult with stats to measure the value of defensive players rather than offensive players because a defensive player tends to prevent something from happening and how would you measure something that never happened?
“There are things where the eye can spot something the stats can’t and there are other matters where stats can reveal something the eye and the ear can’t.”
Ankersen touched on how the method works in that the stats throw up a variety of players but then it is up to the club to work out which one on the shortlist provides the most efficient gain.
This is where the eye comes in and it may soon become clear that a player would not be the right fit for the club.
Giles added: “If the data is excellent then when you watch a player to see how they play and whether they can fit in the system we have.
“When you watch a player with good stats, but they don't fit stylistically, such as their team plays long ball football then we won't sign them. That's what the scouting department will look at.”
But Williams wasn't necessarily catching the eye at Morecambe, even though he was, briefly, linked with a move to Motherwell in January. The question is, 'if he was that good wouldn't the Shrimps have offered him a new deal?'
From speaking to a Morecambe fan it appears as if the midfielder is the opposite of what Giles was saying. Williams might not have looked impressive but his stats were saying otherwise.
This is because the style of play Jim Bentley's team has is not necessarily suited to him.
League Two football is all about power with many sides doing well with big, strong strikers and defenders who lump the ball forward as quickly as possible.
Williams, on the other hand, is described as a good, technical player on the ball who can pick a pass but didn't have the strength to deal with the brutish midfielders that lurk in that division.
What comes to mind immediately is he is a player in the Alex Pritchard mould. Obviously, not as flashy as the former loanee who is going to be given a chance at Tottenham next season.
Putting together a football team is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. At Morecambe, the 25-year-old's piece might have been too small for Bentley's image but it might fit perfectly at Brentford.
Former boss Mark Warburton was a master at putting the puzzle together, although not all of his spare pieces fitted together as neatly as his ideal starting XI. It is the art of the squad builder to ensure a seamless transition when one piece is lost or broken.
It is clearly a signing Brentford are taking a punt on. While Akaki Gogia was signed, it was on a 'long term contract' but it was made clear Williams' deal was to last just a year.
The Bees are clearly hoping that the midfielder can make the step up in quality. If he does, it will look like a masterstroke. If it doesn't go well then it will be ended quickly.
