WANDERERS expect to do a different kind of business in the next transfer window.

Ian Evatt hopes to boost his club’s inconsistent season with two or three new additions which will “move the needle” and make an instant impact in his staring XI.

But for the first time since their link with Bolton was announced last January, Ludonautics, the sports advisory firm owned by ex-Liverpool recruitment expert Ian Graham, will have a significant input in the process.

Wanderers’ sporting director Chris Markham and his analysis department have worked alongside the data firm in assessing potential targets, both permanent and on loan.

Evatt is hopeful that another qualified pair of eyes and opinions on each potential signing can make sure the club find the right kind of players to aid their cause.

“We have had a lot of input from Ludonautics for the first time really,” he explained. “Chris (Markham) has had a few meetings which, hopefully, are going to be important for us.

“There are some big decisions to be made, of course, and we want to bolster the squad. But as I have said before, the most important thing for me is that we move the needle up on the team.

“The starting XI has to be improved and that is where our focus is.

“As always, the board are trying to help us as best as they can and, fingers crossed, you will see some exciting things coming through the door.”

The agreement with Ludonautics involved issuing B Class shares in the club in exchange for assistance in the data-driven areas of player analysis and recruitment.

According to their website: “Ludonautics is a sports advisory business dedicated to helping sporting organisations improve their decision-making capabilities through access to insightful statistical analysis.”

Evatt explained that the arrangement was additive to the work that himself and Markham have done over the last few years with the Whites.

“Chris and his team have their own algorithm, so to speak, and their way of doing things. Ludonautics have theirs, which is different to ours,” he said. “But for us, it is more about checking boxes.

“If Ludonautics are saying yes, Chris’ team are saying yes, I’m saying yes and the board are saying yes, the likelihood of failure is a lot less than if only two of the four agree.

“If we are all in agreement on somebody, it means it has a good chance of succeeding. With recruitment, around the 50 per cent mark and you are doing well, you are doing OK.

“That is kind of the process we use, it is about everyone collaborating together to be in agreement.

“It makes our first trawl easier – who we are looking at deeply and who we are not.

“Like I said, we have got some really exciting things on the horizon and hopefully they can pay off.

“Chris is working very hard on trying to do some of the deals and we will see how we get on with that. But we kind of know what we want, who we want, where we are making strides and going after it.”

One of last season’s successes on loan, Paris Maghoma, has recently made his first appearances in the Premier League for Brentford.

Replacing the midfielder has not been easy – but Evatt is pleased to see him flourish.

“Paris has been one of those hugely successful loans we have had with James (Trafford) and Conor (Bradley),” he said. “All three have played, or are playing, in the Premier League which is great for us and great for them.

“The type of player Paris is, that is probably something we need to look at – that ability to drive from the middle of the pitch and receive in tight areas, elite athleticism and that final bit of composure.

“I think that is something we haven’t really had so far this season. We have missed Carlos (Mendes Gomes), who can do that role, and we missed Klaidi (Lolos) for large parts, who we think can do that role.

“Paris is a player who we are all very fond of and there is nobody happier than me to see him play in the Premier League, he deserves it.”