Comment: Data can only be part of Sheffield Wednesday's James Bord identity

But only a little bit, and a lot of it confirming what we already suspected. There is only so much we can be told at this stage.

If and when the Short Circuit consortium's takeover whose figureheads introduced themselves on Tuesday is signed off, fans quickly need to be served a bigger vision, and given the identity of its frontman James Bord and the divisiveness of his ethos, it needs to be good.

Those involved in the Sheffield Wednesday takeover process have had to strike a difficult balance. From the moment they took over as administrators, Begbies Traynor tried to be as transparent as they could, but always warned there would come a time when the shutters had to come down for a while.

Confidentiality matters to those who buy football clubs. Those that go public rarely last the course.

John Textor was very open about his interest, which appears to have amounted to nothing. Within hours of an interview where David Storch revealed he had lodged a bid being published, it was announced a preferred bidder had been chosen. Our suspicions it was not him have now been confirmed.

Over Christmas, poker player Bord played his cards close to his chest, keeping quiet whilst others openly discussed him undergoing the owners and director's test at the Football League.

Secrecy when lodging bids was understandable, but failing to acknowledge he was going through the vetting process only appeared to make sense if he was not confident of getting approval. Whether that has changed, we do not know.

But for whatever reason, Bord has come out of the woodwork and named partners Felix Roemer and Alsharif Faisal Bin Jamil.

They appear to be what Owls manager Henrik Pedersen affectionately calls "numbers geeks".

"The consortium focuses on long-term, responsible investment supported solely by its own capital, with an emphasis on stable governance, operational discipline and data-informed decision making," said a statement by Short Circuit.

"It brings together complementary expertise across technology, analytics and high-growth ventures to support sustainable performance in the organisations with which it engages.

"The consortium supports a long-term sustainable ownership of this historic club and is committed to preserving and enhancing its legacy. It aims to strengthen Sheffield Wednesday to enable the club to regain its position at the pinnacle of the game."

Buried in that waffle, one phrase leapt out: "data-informed decision making".

"Data-informed decision making" is a bit like expected goals or video assistant referees – some hate it, others embrace it.

"Data-informed decision making" is a big reason why Brighton and Hove Albion – led by poker player Tony Bloom, who has shared his algorithms with Hearts – and Brentford – under poker player and Bloom protege Matthew Benham.

It is also why others have faltered, most notably Sheffield United when Bord advised them in 2025.

Dunfermline Athletic, Cordoba and Septemvri Sofia – other clubs Bord and co are involved in – are not runaways successes yet either. It makes their methods a harder sell.

It also makes it important to reassure fans they are only part of it.

The Owls will not want another Jefferson Caceres, Christian Nwachukwu, Mihail Polendakov or Ehije Ukaki. If you do not know who these artificial intelligence-led signings from Bord's laptop are, point proven.

"Data-informed decision making" goes beyond recruitment, but plucking players from obscure markets is not what the biggest club in League One will need next season so much as proven, third-tier players.

The sprinkling of stardust will come in more useful when the Owls get moving back up in the pyramid.

Data does have a place in football when done well and backed up.

It needs to supplement the eyes and ears of football men who know what they are looking for. Rough diamonds must be polished by coaches who – like Pedersen – have a reputation for improving young players.

And it needs to take place in a talent factory that feels like a cutting-edge place of learning. Creating that sort of environment will hopefully play to the strengths of Bord, Roemer and Bin Jamil, but will need big investment in Middlewood Road.

This needs to be a long-term project to revitalise a club left to rot for a quarter of a century.

It might come too late to stop a talent drain. Goalkeeper Pierce Charles, for example, is already too good for League One.

But a blend of young talent – Harry Amass-style loans alongside the pick of the academy – and League One veterans to guide them has to be the platform for better times.

Data can play its part, but no more than that.