Target Practice #6

Some frown at the thought of dipping into the lower leagues and acquiring ‘lesser’ talent, but the truth is: the gap between League One and League Two is minimal. The top performers in England’s fourth-tier are just as well equipped to showcase their talents in the league above. Another year of development in the lower echelons of the English football pyramid provides further lessons, readying them for a challenging jump into the Championship.

Whilst Paul Hurst’s Ipswich made the mistake of hoovering up decent talent before it was ready, Paul Cook’s Ipswich are in a much better position to offer top lower league talent the opportunity to flourish in an ambitious and hungry team.

In this edition of ‘Target Practice’, we’re going to take a look at three players who were turning out in League Two last season, but are more than ready to make the step up into League One football. Would all of these players walk into Ipswich’s team? Probably not, but we’ve all been exposed to the importance of a deep squad when mounting a serious promotion push.

Callum Guy

The name Callum Guy may be new to most of you, he certainly was to me when I started researching for this list, but it’s almost impossible to ignore him when you read his stats.

At only 24, Callum Guy has made an impressive amount of appearances across England’s second and third tiers, after coming through the ranks at Derby County. He’s had a few mixed spells throughout his career, but in 2020 he became a marquee signing for Carlisle United and the rest is history.

His return this campaign his been phenomenal. Whilst he may not have chalked on the scoreboard, his record of 14 assists from a central midfield position is outstanding, not to mention his overall average rating of 7.30, one of the highest in League Two last term (all stats according to WhoScored). Voted the club’s player of the year and featuring nearly 50 times throughout the campaign, Guy has achieved a breakthrough season that will put his name in the mouth’s of many scouts.

Town are on the lookout for a commanding central midfielder and Guy could be the one to fit the bill. Either coming in as a starter, or providing much-needed depth and strength in vital positions, Guy has experience playing for competitive League One teams. A drop in league appears to have done him the world of good and he may well become a hidden gem that could majorly assist Town’s promotion ambitions.

Paudie O’Connor

As you may have noticed with all of these entries, they are all at a good age. Whilst age is only a number, as many people’s mother would have you believe, it’s vital that Town refine their recruitment strategy in order to accommodate both experienced players, as well as those in need of a step up.

Despite an inconsistent season for former Premier League side Bradford City, 23-year-old commanding centre-half Paudie O’Connor has shown real class at the heart of the Bantams defence. Appearing 41 times for Bradford last season, O’Connor scored twice and assisted twice from the back, amassing an average rating of 7.22 across all competitions. His statistics are amongst the best in the division, especially for his position, and whilst Bradford didn’t pull up any trees, O’Connor certainly impressed.

A commanding defender with excellent statistics in aerial duals, tackling and interceptions, O’Connor represents a growing prospect that is stuck in a limbering team. He was voted Bradford’s player of the season last term and whilst I’m sure they would love him to spearhead a promotion push, a move appears likely for the former Leeds United defender.

With Town’s squad undergoing an overhaul, O’Connor could be likened to Adam Webster in terms of defensive attributes and experience. He has played 19 times in England’s third-tier, as well as 4 appearances for Leeds in the Championship. His talent is still raw, but after a breakout season in League Two, O’Connor looks ready for the next step in his career.

A move to Ipswich would see him fall down the pecking order, but as a player with plenty of grit and fight, I would predict that Paudie has a bright future ahead of him.

Carlos Mendes Gomes

Arguably the most exciting option on this list, Mendes Gomes is a talented wide player with an excellent goal scoring return for a Morecambe side that achieved promotion via the play-offs. Operating predominantly as a left-winger, Mendes Gomes is a hard-working talent with humble beginnings.

Quick, sharp and intelligent, Mendes Gomes was one of the standout talents in League Two last season, with his vital goals helping Morecambe to promotion. Throughout the course of last season, the 22-year-old winger scored 15 league goals, as well as a vital penalty in the play-off final. The tricky wide-man assisted 5 times for his teammates last campaign, amassing an average rating of 6.98.

In Paul Cook’s 4-2-3-1 system the men in the wide areas are key to the success of the side. Not only are they tasked with creating chances for other attackers, they have a vital role to put the ball in the back of the net. With his goal tally impressing and his overall performances raising the eyebrows of many League One and Championship clubs, it’s hard to ignore Mendes Gomes as one of the hottest prospects in the Football League.

His performances last season would dictate that he is ready to make a serious splash in League One, and Ipswich could be the perfect location for him to move forward. A slightly more affordable option to alternatives like Charlie Kirk and Owen Dale, Mendes Gomes ticks all the boxes, and whilst he may be untested, I’m certain that he would be ready to become a driving force in Town’s bid for promotion.

And those are my picks! Feel free to let me know your thoughts and get in touch if you have any recommendations for players that you would like to see become part of Town’s new look side for next season! Thank you for taking the time to read this piece; I’ll see you again soon!