It was unlike Town to be involved in a public transfer saga, it was even more unlike Town to be competing with sides in the division above. The mission statement for the transfer market has been set and with eight new players (at the time of writing) through the door, the new season looks to be one filled with excitement. Whilst there are gaps to be filled and depth to be bolstered, the squad is looking in fine shape ahead of the big kick-off against Morecambe.
Target Practice may have been absent from your lives for a short while, and whilst I’m certain all the pain and devastation that partners such absence has been challenging to live with, it is back with a bang. The public transfer saga that rumbled between desperate selling club Rotherham and keen buyers Ipswich looks to have been settled, with long-term target and real life tree impersonator Matt Crooks set to join Middlesbrough.
Whilst missing out on a key target is disappointing, there’s still plenty of time to acquire an adequate alternative. In this edition of Target Practice, we are going to take a look at three players who could fill the Matt Crooks role and provide versatility and muscle across Town’s midfield.
Joe Powell
We’re starting with a dark horse, but by all means a player who could significantly improve Town’s squad. Whilst Powell is closer to a Fraser than a Crooks, his contributions for Burton last season proved significant in their successful fight to avoid relegation.
Born in Canning Town and blooded in the West Ham youth system, you’d be mistaken if you believed that Powell was a one-dimensional player. A quick midfielder with a deadly free-kick and an eye for a pass, Powell has quickly become one of the ones to watch for next season. Whilst no direct links have been made between the parties, I wouldn’t be surprised if Town were keeping an eye on Burton’s starlet.
For a direct comparison, Powell is very much like Teddy Bishop, just with a cleaner injury record and better temperament. His determination, tricky feet and wonderful left foot allows him to drift past opponents, much like Town’s most recent addition Scott Fraser.
Last season, Powell scored 9 goals and provided 7 assists across all competitions, becoming a pivotal member of Burton’s team. Whilst his average rating may not be eye-catching (6.64, all stats according to WhoScored), it’s worth recognising that this campaign was Powell’s first season of sustained, regular football.
Whilst Powell may not posses Crook’s strength and versatility, it’s his silky footwork and direct goal contributions that make him an enticing prospect for Town.
Cameron Brannagan
Usually, a player of Brannagan’s quality would almost immediately shoot to the top of the list, but there are a few variables that prevent that from being the case for Oxford’s battling midfielder.
Realistically, this deal would appear too unlikely to make a valuable case for, but we have already seen that Town are willing to flex their muscles if the right deal is available. Already possessing leadership qualities, bags of talent and plenty of experience in the third-tier, Brannagan is the kind of player that has been the envy of every team in the division.
Now entering his fifth season as an Oxford player, is it time that the former Liverpool prospect sought pastures new? That’s not to say that Town would be the ideal destination. However, as we have spoken about many times this summer, there is a project developing that could prove appealing to a player of Brannagan’s quality.
Able to play anywhere through the midfield, much like a certain tree impersonator, Brannagan possesses an immense array of passing and dribbling skills. Last season he scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists for his teammates and whilst those numbers aren’t breaking any records, he was largely considered to be a key member of an Oxford side that battled for promotion.
Captaining his club on several occasions, Brannagan also possesses the leadership qualities that Cook has been searching for. His age and experience are huge positives for Town, but as stated previously, this deal would seem a little too far-fetched.
I’m certain that there are many surprises yet to come in this transfer window and whilst Brannagan holding aloft the Ipswich blue may be one of the least likely, I’ve often learnt to never say never!
Lewis Wing
What would be more annoying to Rotherham than acquiring their best player? Well, it would probably be pipping them to the man they are hoping to replace him with.
When discussing alternatives to Crooks, I’d look no further than Lewis Wing, the man he could well replace in the Middlesbrough side. A man that has toured the doldrums of English football, Wing got his big move to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2017. His time up north has been mixed, making 80 appearances across four seasons.
It was Wing’s time on loan at Rotherham that enamoured him to the footballing world, with his impressive individual performances almost proving enough to help Paul Warne’s side survive relegation. With Rotherham down and Wing in flux, it seems there’s a good chance that the 26-year-old could depart the Riverside and find a new home. Could that place be Portman Road?
Much like Crooks, Wing can operate anywhere through the midfield and many Rotherham fans have actually stated that Wing was the better player out of the two. Whilst that remains to be seen, it does appear certain that Wing needs to depart in order to further his career. A physical player with excellent free-kick abilities and a penchant for a long shot, Wing ticks the boxes for attitude, application and ability.
Town would have to make an enticing offer to Neil Warnock’s side in order to secure their man, but with Crooks’ arrival imminent, it appears that the exit door is more ajar than it’s even been before. Many Middlesbrough fans would scratch their heads at this departure, but it seems best for all parties. Rotherham have already made their intentions known, with Paul Warne seemingly unable to understand the gentlemen’s agreement between clubs when transfers are in circulation…
Wing would be my top pick as a Crooks alternative and he also appears to be a realistic target for the Blues. At 26, and with his best years ahead of him, could the former Shildon start provide the lift that Town’s midfield requires.
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!
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