Deal Town manager Steve King highlights importance of data-crunching in the next few weeks

Boss Steve King has highlighted the importance of data-crunching at Deal Town in the next few weeks.

The Hoops finished eighth in Isthmian South East, despite a superior points total to 2024/25’s tally, when they came seventh in their maiden year at the level.

King is hopeful he can again retain the bulk of his loyal squad. While they will be open to making signings, recruiting is not always easy due to the location and finances on offer, and King is willing to look at other avenues for improvements.

“We have got some [friendly] fixtures in already,” King revealed. “We’re trying to shore up a couple of those.

“Obviously, we have got to have conversations with the players but I’m hopeful - as in the past - a core group of players will stay with the club and that we will look pretty similar next year.

“We have got some targets where we think we can make improvements and we will look to do that. The most important job for myself and the coaching staff is probably doing a full review of what has happened this season.

“We film every single game, we have got running data, we have got Wyscout data and we need to spend a few weeks really mulling over that and finding out where we can make improvements for next year. Yes, you can get improvements in terms of player recruitment, but that’s not always easy.

“A lot of the time improvements have to come from how we work - whether that’s tactically or our preparation - and we will be reviewing everything we have done this year to try and be even more effective in our work.”

If King is to make summer signings, he knows he might well have to be patient.

He said: “We know areas we need to strengthen in. We think there are areas in the squad where we need a little bit more depth.

“We know