AFC Wimbledon are experimenting with utilising substitute coaches as they seek a new avenue to make marginal games during matches.
The League One side have given the role to Sammy Lander which is reported to be in place for the season as a way of analysing how best they can make their substitutions.
Lander has already been on the bench this term for matches against Charlton Athletic, Doncaster Rovers and Bolton Wanderers and is also performing part-time coaching at the training ground.
Lander had approached the League One outfit following research he had compiled on substitutions in the division as well as League Two last term.
The former midfielder formerly of Weymouth, admitted the concept came to his attention during his playing days.
He told TGG: 'I had the idea for this role after I was drafted onto the bench for Weymouth for one FA Trophy game and the gaffer said, "are you ready?" and I thought "absolutely not."
Since retiring as a player, Lander has been an opposition analyst and an assistant first-team coach at Weymouth, as well as a scout at Bournemouth's academy.
It was at Weymouth where he would start to inform the bench of opposition subs from his position in the stadium.
Based on his research he has made a points system based on the impact of the substitution, although concedes that much more research still needs to be done on limited data.
It was Wimbledon's openness to new ideas, having appointed a restarts coach last March in Andy Parslow, to approach the club over the idea.
'I reached out to Wimbledon and presented them the work I had done,' Lander added. 'They are fantastic, so open-minded.'
His matchday activities in the role see him try to make sure subs are fully prepared to come on, mainly by talking to them, but hopes to expand on this as he learns more about being a specialist coach.
He admits to having been in touch with Thomas Gronnemark who himself has been a specialist throw-in coach at Liverpool and that his best advice was to 'stick what you believe in.'