This is the second part of a series looking at who United could be searching for in the January market. From the faces we all recognise, to a few new kids on the block. This is the Oxfordshire scouting network.
Name: Scott Wright
Age: 23
Current Club: Aberdeen
Position: LW/RW
Availability: Small fee/free
Likelihood: 3/10
The next in the saga of Oxford’s search for a winger is
Aberdeen star Scott Wright. There have been numerous sources suggesting
Scott Wright would be leaving Aberdeen, and a swap to Scottish Premiership
leaders Rangers has long been the most probable destination.
However, recent reports have
claimed that Steven Gerrard is now in competition with his fellow Liverpudlian
Karl Robinson.
The two managers actually have a very close relationship, and
their similarities clearly extend beyond their Merseyside roots.
Both coaches have been attracted by the Wright's quick feet
and wand of a right foot which has made him a fan favourite at Aberdeen.
An average of 2 take-ons per game at a 50% success rate is better than any of the wingers currently at Oxford, and his individual talent makes him an exciting prospect for a side who will be looking for someone with the ability to change a came from the bench or perform when the midfield is struggling.
The stats show that he is only really rivalled by Rob Hall
in terms of his individual skill and ability, and that’s not the only ability
he shares with the former MK Dons man.
Despite being right footed, he prefers to play on the left
wing in an attempt to cut in and act as an inverted winger - to great effect to as shown below.
This tendency to cut in can have negative impacts on the
rest of his wing play though. He has averaged only one cross per game so far
this season and only 0.2 successful open play crosses. In fact, his crossing
accuracy is only 20%, suggesting when he is able to get the ball into the area,
it is largely from difficult angles or when he is forced onto his weaker foot.
This weaker foot is probably the largest issue in his game,
having never scored a league goal with his left foot.
Having said this though, Olamide Shodipo plays in a very
similar way to Wright and his remarkable efficiency at cutting in and curling the ball into the right hand corner has brought him seven league goals this
season – all coming with his right foot.
Wright however, has a more balanced style than Shodipo despite a weak left foot, and this would allow
for different options and creative input for Oxford.
He has averaged more chances created per 90 minutes (1.6),
passes per 90 (30.4) and assists per game (0.1) this season than Shodipo – the fact Shodipo
is yet to register an assist for his new side illustrates his style of play
compared to the potential new target.
Wright is also more flexible, with the ability to play on
the opposite flank or down the middle should Oxford need it.
This is another trait he shares with Hall and given
Robinson’s currently waning faith in his former MK Dons player, Oxford would
surely be looking to bring in a possible replace should the right option come along.
Wright’s current contract situation is what makes this
option so feasible.
His contract only runs to the end of this season and he is
yet to sign a new deal at Aberdeen, and though he says he remains committed to the club, his manager is resigned to the fact he is unlikely to have his player come
the start of the 2021-22 campaign.
But with interest rising, a move away in January is becoming
more probable. Oxford though, are less likely to be leading this race.
Rangers, whilst leading the Scottish Premiership, pose the
clearest option for the 23-year-old and Gerrard has made his desires for the
player clear.
Despite Oxford’s success at raiding the Scottish league in
the past – Sean Clare and Alex Gorrin in recent seasons – a chance to stay
within Scotland seems most likely, and though he would undoubtedly offer Oxford
an excellent option, getting his signature may be a step too far for Robinson.
Name: Dan Happe
Age: 22
Current Club: Leyton Orient
Position: CB
Availability: Medium fee
Likelihood: 2/10
John Mousinho’s knee injury not only opens up another slot
for United to fill, but also creates a slight cavity for back up centre backs.
Sam Long has shown he is more than able to do a solid job in
the position he started his career at, but his performances at right back and
the sale of Sean Clare means Robinson would be reluctant to move Long back
around the defence as he did at the start of the season.
With Moore looking established and Atkinson growing into
life in League One, there is no pressing issue for a star signing, but Atkinson
has already proved to be somewhat injury prone and a little inconsistent – or
just risk taking – at the back, so depth in the left sided centre back position
may be required.
These kind of players though are hard to come by, and
looking at the current selection Oxford could choose from, Dan Happe is the
stand out player.
At only 22, Happe is establishing himself as a mature player
at League Two level, playing 21 of Orient’s 23 league matches so far.
Leyton Orient’s favoured tactic of passing out from the back
has helped him develop his quality on the ball - he is calm when he
gets it and has a superb range of passing.
Happe completes an average of 44 passes per 90 at a rate of 75.22%
- marginally higher than both Moore (35.1 at 75%) and Atkinson (32.4 at
74.15%).
Though it is in his forward play that Happe really stands
up, averaging 13.8 long passes per game which is far higher than Moore’s 8.5
and nearly triple Atkinson at 5.1. Happe also has an impressive long pass
accuracy of 40.81%, showing that it is not just hopeless balls forward, but he
possesses true skill in his passing range.
This would fit into an Oxford side who favour a passing
style and ask their centre backs to regularly step out to start attacks - and Moore's switch of play has often been a major weapon for United this season so Happe would certainly fulfil that criteria too.
There is also no concern over him struggling
physically in the step up, given he is also a man mountain at over 6”5.
The combination of physicality and technical skill is
something Oxford have found in many of their centre backs in recent years – Dickie,
Atkinson and Moore all have such qualities – and this would seemingly make him a
perfect fit at Oxford.
However, he would also be a perfect fit at many clubs, and
his sturdy performances for Orient have got him on the radar of quite a few teams throughout the lower leagues of England.
This not only makes a reasonable fee needed to acquire Happe,
but would also make the prospect of becoming second fiddle at Oxford – as he
would likely be if both first choice defenders remain fit – less appealing when
there are other offers on the table.
Even if Oxford are unable or unwilling to pay out for Happe,
it still serves as an example of the talent that is out there and is the kind
of player Robinson will be looking to bring as at only 22, he has opportunities
to really break through in the coming seasons.
Name: Nathan Holland
Age: 22
Current Club: West Ham
Position: LW/RW
Availability: Loan
Likelihood: 7/10
Up go the heads, over Eastwood, Taylor jumping,
Hollaaaaannnndddd…
Holland needs no further introduction to United fans than
that. A player whose time was cut short with the club after the enforced
COVID-19 break, there is a sense around Oxford that the West Ham winger has
unfinished business.
A West Ham news account recently posted this, and there have
been many sources since that suggesting Holland is on his way to a League One club
this January.
Hull City were the other club rumoured to be interested in Holland, but after they recently signed another of Oxford’s fan favourites in Gavin Whyte on loan, their interest may be less of an issue.
Holland has the
most important element missing in Robinson’s plans this year, pace.
Holland has a
certain drive which has been missing in some of Oxford’s play this year, using
his blistering pace to grab five goals in his small number of appearances last
year.
He averaged 1.9
shots per game in the league and was fouled on average 1.4 times per 90 minutes,
a clear sign that his directness proved troubling for defenders, especially in
the latter stages of his loan spell where his confidence was clearly higher.
Despite playing
largely on the left wing for Oxford, he would be more than comfortable on
either flank – meaning he could provide a different option to the less
frightening – though currently lethal – partnership of Long and Henry when required.
Holland would offer a directness that Oxford are missing, as even with Shodipo’s pace, playing on the left wing means he often wants to come inside to collect the ball rather than run in behind, something which Holland has already shown he is more than happy to do from his time with Oxford last time out.
Watch his last goal for the club (below) in the 5-0 drubbing of AFC Wimbledon last season.
Holland is sitting
on the shoulder of the last defender as the ball is cleared away by the
Wimbledon goalkeeper, and the winger is ready to charge in behind when Elliot
Moore powers over a header which Holland uses his pace to latch onto and grab
his second goal of the game.
With other
candidates for Holland’s signature decreasing as we move through the window,
West Ham will always have an Oxford offer in the back of their mind, having
seen him and Browne make successful loan spells at the Kassam previously, and with much of last
seasons squad remaining settled, Holland could be the player to fix Oxford’s
pace deficit.
If you haven't checked out the first of this series, click here. (Note Luke Thomas has recently signed for Ipswich Town so is no longer a target)
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