Life After Gus

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MayorOJC

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Done some digging into the stats this season to see just how impactful Gus has been, and how we can even start to think about replacing him. For the record, not a Hamer hater - I like him a lot.

As our main creative threat, let's see how he does compared to all Championship players at chance creation (per 90):

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Unsurprisingly, fourth highest chances created per 90, up there with some of the league's finest in Scienza, Hackney, Clarke and James. Ouch, this could be expensive to replace.

But what if some players on this list take all their teams' set pieces? That could artificially inflate stats such as chance creation and assists, making them seem more threatening in-play that they actually are. Let's look at chance creation (per 90) excluding set pieces:

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Don't squint too hard, he really isn't there. Take away corners and free kicks from everyone, and Gus Hamer is not in the top 50 Championship chance creators (he landed at #65).

Of the 2.3 chances he creates per 90, 61% are from set pieces! Only a handful of players in the league have that ratio or higher (Matty James, Doughty, De Keersmaecker and Cantwell).

This is a good thing. It is significantly cheaper and easier to replace a set-piece taker than an open-play creator. We already have two set-piece specialists at the club in Rothwell and Burrows.


Any standouts in the Championship?
I'm not going to look at just chance creation for this. I'll be using an index that takes 9 attributes (including open play chances, cross accuracy, progressive carries, total defensive actions and non-penalty goals vs. xG.).

Screenshot 2026-04-30 151956.webp

No surprise to see Clarke, Azeez, Scienza, Thomas and Roberts in the top 10. Hello Femi and Ogbene.

In terms of who could potentially be available in summer? Wes Burns still has it at 31 years old and is coming to the end of his contract - but that may be extended. Mohamed Belloumi at Hull has had injury problems - but don't be surprised if he tears up the league next year if fit. Divine Mukasa is going to have a fantastic career. More of a number 10 than a wide player - but I'd love to see us push for him on loan next season. Ryan Alebiosu at Blackburn ironically impressed a lot on here with how well he managed Hamer defensively. Bit further down, but Adam Idah has strong creative stats despite not scoring many as Swansea's centre forward. He looks more like a wide forward to me. Lewis Dobbin has some positive attributes, but misses out on this list mainly due to often playing as a CF.

Here's the same for League One. Previously linked Reyes Cleary and Brighton (via Bolton)'s Amario Cozier-Duberry are the standouts, excluding promoted players. Might be worth looking at Huddersfield's young Cameron Ashia, although he is perhaps a bit rawer than the two above.

Screenshot 2026-04-30 152229.webp

Personally, I think there's significantly better value abroad. Follow the Norwich model - everyone in England will rip us off. Can see if there's any interesting options for replacing Peck or McGuinness if there's interest.

Data taken from https://footverse-v2.streamlit.app , which uses Opta as its source. Not affiliated by me.
 

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