Who Should EFL Clubs Be Casting Their Eyes Over? Part II

 

Last year, I wrote about which players I believe should be stepping up from the National League into the Football League. The piece went down quite well amongst supporters so I figured I’d give it another go this year. 

Cherry-picking 11 players from a division almost entirely made up of full-time footballers is difficult. The professionalism and standard of football being played means a good majority of clubs could play in League Two next season and survive, if not thrive. The difficult part is escaping via the two available promotion places. 

Over the last 12 months, we have seen numerous National League footballers step into the Football League, such as Joe Tomlinson, Tahvon Campbell and Ben House. Then there is Sorba Thomas, the poster-boy for the National League having become a regular at Huddersfield Town and made his Wales debut. 

It’s those types of players I want to shine a light on here. The players that are performing consistently for their clubs and have the ability to progress and form good careers for themselves at a higher level. 

I’ve selected a starting XI again. I wanted to challenge myself to find a player in every position that has the ability to step up – it seems unnecessary to have a list containing, for example, four full-backs and five attacking midfielders. 

There are some things to note. 

This isn’t the definitive “best players with the highest ceilings in each position” list. There’s no point in me listing players from Stockport County or Wrexham, who probably don’t receive better offers even if their clubs don’t win promotion. The same goes for Ruben Rodrigues and Kabongo Tshimanga. My aim here is to shine a light on some of the names lesser known to wider audiences. And I’ve had to narrow this down to 11 players, so if your preferred player isn’t on the list, it’s not personal, it’s not that I don’t rate them, it’s just that I’ve chosen to shine a light on somebody else instead. 

I’ve also made it a rule not to include loanees again. Most are going back to Football League clubs and it feels like cheating to include them. I have made one exception, however, and that’s because there are a limited number of goalkeepers in the National League of a decent age that could conceivably be signed. There are also no more than two selections per club – can’t be having claims of bias against me! 

And finally, I don’t have access to underlying data metrics, beyond information accounts such as the excellent @Notts_stats and @henshawanalysis provide. Selections in this list have been made almost purely via the eye test and statistics are almost entirely from my own count (assists up to end of April), Soccerway or Fbref. I hope this also rules out the idea I’m sort of scout or that there is an inside track here – I’m just a fan of the league and want to give time to those ready to make the next step forward in their careers. 

And with all that in mind, here’s the team: 

George Wickens

Club: Wealdstone (on loan from Fulham) 

Age: 20

As the National League season began, I was pretty confident that Wealdstone would be relegated and a little part of me wondered whether their new rookie goalkeeper would last the season – it wouldn’t be the first time a young goalkeeper has been signed, proven a little too inexperienced, cost his side points and been replaced. George Wickens has been fantastic. Wealdstone were never going to blow the division away given their budget and part-time status but they have dug in and played on tight margins – they had won or lost by more than one goal on just five occasions by the end of February, around the time their safety was all but secured. Wickens has been a big part of that, visibly growing in presence throughout the campaign and making several crucial saves. He is the youngest goalkeeper to start at least half of his team’s matches this season by almost a full two years and his performances have been so strong that when he faltered against Altrincham recently, fans rallied round to support him – they know how important he has been. It’s hard not to imagine Wickens ends up on loan in the EFL next season to continue his upward trajectory – he actually rejected two EFL loan offers this season according to manager Stuart Maynard. 

Kyran Lofthouse

Club: Woking

Age: 21

Footballers need exposure to first-team football and Kyran Lofthouse is proof of that. The 21-year-old has been a regular pretty much since he joined Woking from Oxford United and over the course of 64 league appearances, he has grown into his “man” legs, able to play at a higher intensity for 90 minutes and brush past his opposition without having to break too much of a sweat. His growth allowed former boss Alan Dowson to move to a back three without losing much down the right-hand side because of his ability to get up and down the pitch and move with the ball into open space while his final ball has started to improve too. He has also been prone to producing memorable moments, including this incredible goal against Altrincham. It’s a shame that his season was cut short by injury as he would be a nice fit for new manager Darren Sarll, who has proven at Yeovil Town he can develop and nurture young talent (more on that later). 

Toby Mullarkey

Club: Altrincham

Age: 26

Honest truth, I finished last season having not quite worked out what Toby Mullarkey’s role at Altrincham was from afar. He largely played centre-back but spent time in central midfield, played most games but not all. There’s been far less doubt this season. Mullarkey has made a role at centre-back his own and, in the absence of the more experienced Tom Hannigan, has taken on a leadership role at the back in the final third of the campaign, playing alongside a number of less experienced defenders and to good effect – Alty have kept 8 clean sheets in their last 16 games. The most striking aspect of Mullarkey’s game is his composure on the ball and willingness to step out of defence, perhaps typical of a player who was brought through at Crewe Alexandra. He isn’t afraid to let fly, as he did vs Torquay United and, erm, Torquay United. It’s little wonder Phil Parkinson quickly moved to bring Mullarkey with him from Nantwich to Alty put he may have to finally part ways with the 26-year-old this summer. 

Joe Lewis

Club: Torquay United

Age: 22

Like many young players at Torquay United under Gary Johnson, Joe Lewis has come on leaps and bounds. The ex-Swansea City youngster initially joined on loan and was tasked with a number of roles in the backline, filling in for injuries at right-back, centre-back, left-back and even central midfield. He joined permanently midway through last season and has not only made himself a regular but, at just 22, he is their defensive leader. He was one of few to come out of The Gulls’ early season struggles amid a promotion hangover with credit and his performances have remained consistent as others have stepped up – Torquay have conceded 0 or 1 goals in 18 of their 24 matches since the start of December. Lewis has proven adaptable in this time, either starting in the centre of a back three or on the right or left of a two, depending on the availability of others. He is a good height, built well, has become stronger in aerial battles, comfortable progressing past the halfway line in possession, adds goals (6) from defence and can even shoot from range. 

Sam Beard 

Club: Barnet

Age: 24

I’ve got time for Sam Beard. As a teenager, he was released by Brighton and Hove Albion and responded by playing men’s football with Loxwood. He had played around 100 games by the time he was 18, got his move to Dorking Wanderers and took a risk last season in leaving the upwardly mobile Surrey outfit to join a Barnet side rooted to the bottom of the National League having lurched from one disaster to another. He performed well and earned a full-time contract only for Harry Kewell to sign personal favourite Josh Doherty and the experienced Joe Widdowson. Kewell didn’t last long and Brennan immediately installed “Beardy” as his first-choice left-back and he hasn’t let the Irishman down with his tenacious displays down the left. He’s also an ex-winger and it shows with his delivery from wide areas. The second half of this season has been disrupted by injury but a good pre-season could see a fitter Beard thrive, with or without Barnet. 

Callum Maycock

Club: Solihull Moors

Age: 24

Callum Maycock joined Solihull Moors and it looked initially like he was the younger, cheaper addition to supplement an experienced midfield of Stephen Gleeson and Kyle Storer. The midfielder had just left Coventry City following half seasons with Macclesfield Town and Leamington before joining the Moors under Jimmy Shan. He quickly established himself as a regular, impressing further under Yates before making himself an integral fixture in Neal Ardley’s ever-improving side. Maycock is so impressive because his game is so well-rounded, a big, powerful runner who isn’t easily nudged off the ball and is tidy in possession. A big feature of Maycock’s game is his ability to move with or without the ball and break into the final third where he often remains composed. He is also starting to find the net, scoring six in all competitions this season having failed to find the net at all last season. 

Kieran Green

Club: FC Halifax Town

Age: 24

Kieran Green caught the eye last season at times and he was player I was keen to keep an eye on this year. Having done the hard yards at Spennymoor Town, Frickley Athletic, Gateshead, Blyth Spartans then a year at York City, Green was finally a regular in the National League, playing for a side involved in the race for promotion. His role was one of a more attack-minded midfielder last season, injuries meaning Green often had to play as part of a front two or three, asked to get on the half turn, win some aerial battles, get into the box and create chances, something he did excellently. He finished last season with just four goals from 32 matches but always looked something of a threat going forward. This season, Green has played more as an orthodox central midfielder, a position he prefers, tasked with protecting his backline and moving the ball forward, quickly in transition. Halifax’s defensive record has been almost immaculate – they have conceded more than one goal on just eight occasions and three or more just once – and his leadership, positioning and organisational qualities have shone alongside the more youthful Kian Spence. Green is said to be a big talker on the pitch and would be of value to sides higher up the ladder – League One Morecambe have already bid for him to nobody’s surprise. 

Armani Little

Club: Torquay United

Age: 25

Armani Little was a name I was not too sure about to begin with. At first, he was a player whose name would appear every so often after absences. I assumed he was highly-rated but that wasn’t showing. By March 2021, over a year after signing, he had made just 16 starts for Torquay United, scoring four goals. Slowly, he found fitness, got regular minutes and shown exactly why Gary Johnson has trusted him. He has been a shining light this season, scoring 15 goals from 37 league matches and assisting an extra 12. It’s more impressive when you consider Little has played both in attacking and nominal central midfield roles where his technique has shone, taking the majority of set-pieces, pinging passes across the pitch and showing composure in the final third. What has also improved is his durability – he has started all but 12 games since March 2021 – and physicality, enabling him to move from box-to-box with ease, glide past opponents and get touches in and around the opposition box. 

Tom Knowles

Club: Yeovil Town

Age: 23

Another player I can’t confess to have known much about prior to his move to Yeovil Town last season. Knowles didn’t take long to make an impression, scoring seven goals in 33 matches, 24 starts from his more attacking midfield role. It’s evident that Knowles has enjoyed the chance to settle, the ex-Cambridge United youngster taking on loans at St.Neots City, Cambridge City, St.Ives Town, Dartford, Hemel Hempstead Town, Kettering Town, Royston Town and Chelmsford City before finally signing permanently for Yeovil. His development has been evident, both in his goal involvements – eight scored, four assisted and three penalties won – and his overall performance, Knowles’ work ethic, understanding of his defensive responsibilities and ability to carry the ball improving. There is also the physical improvement, Knowles looking quicker and stronger than he did last term. Knowles has been managed well by Darren Sarll and is now a dependable and regular member of the Yeovil Town starting XI. The next task is reducing the number of yellow cards he receives...

Josh Kelly

Club: Maidenhead United

Age: 23

This is the season Josh Kelly turned from boy to man. It’s taken a while, and perhaps shown how non-linear player development can be. After making his debut in 2017, he joined Walton Casuals on loan where he scored 40 goals and returned to the Magpies as a first-teamer, scoring 10 goals in 68 appearances and making his Northern Ireland U21 bow. He actually left in the summer of 2020 in a bid to earn a full-time contract. It never came and he struggled to make headway upon returning. This year has been different. Kelly has started 34 league matches, scoring 15 goals, including goals against Wrexham, Chesterfield (two), FC Halifax Town and Boreham Wood in home victories. Maidenhead are an old-school side in many respects, hard to break down and reliant upon one or two individuals to do the damage, and Kelly has certainly done damage with his pace, quick feet and composure in front of goal. He has a knack of creating chances for himself from almost nothing, whether taking possession on the left, right or in central positions. 

Joe Sbarra

Club: Solihull Moors

Age: 23

Despite the moderate fanfare upon his arrival from Burton Albion, where he had managed an assist in the Championship and a first senior league goal in League One, the cynic in me always wondered whether Sbarra would lack the physicality and height to become Solihull Moors’ star man. It didn’t help that under Jimmy Shan, the slow possession style often required Sbarra to play with his back to goal in order to move or hold up the ball – at 5”3, it was never going to be his strong point. Neal Ardley has managed him differently. Sbarra’s game is about running and looking forward, asked to press the opposition, receive the ball in space on the half turn and run towards goal. The fluent, quick style of Solihull Moors’ play matches the improvement in Sbarra’s speed and endurance, and his increased output shows that, Sbarra scoring six last season and 17 this term, not to mention five assists, the winning of a penalty and having the final touch prior to an own goal – I make that 24 goal involvements. In a side choc-full of exciting young talent, Sbarra has made himself the go-to man in the Midlands.

And to whet the appetite for next season, here’s five to keep an eye on:

Tyrell Warren (FC Halifax Town – RB – 23)

Vincent Harper (Eastleigh – LB/LM – 21)

Ryan Barnett (Solihull Moors – RM – 22)

Ephrom Mason-Clark (Barnet – WG – 22)

Sam Dalby (Southend United – ST – 22)