The Imps made it a triple-whammy of new signings this afternoon by adding Ipswich Town wide man Danny Rowe on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Rowe had a spell on loan with the Imps last season, but struggled for fitness in the latter stages of the campaign. When he was on it though, he was sensational. His goal against Exeter in the 3-2 win in March will take a long while to forget.
In total he played 16 times for us, including the Checkatrade Trophy Final against Shrewsbury. That consisted of nine starts in the league and four in the cup. His last appearance was the disappointing 1-0 defeat at Port Vale. he came off after 52 minutes of that game and wasn’t seen again.
He underwent surgery on his ankle in the summer, but regained fitness and looked to be a part of manager Paul Hurst’s plans at Portman Road. He came off the bench four times, once in the EFL Cup against Exeter and three times in the Championship. Sadly for Ipswich, they lost every game and sadly for Rowe, Hurst was replaced.
That meant the third manager of his short stay with the Tractor Boys and Paul Lambert was impressed with the former Macclesfield man, but only his ball control. He gave him two of his outings from the bench, but mainly limited his football to Under 23s. Lambert spoke of him needing to be a bit fitter, whether that was in terms of an injury or physical fitness was unclear, but it seemed to close the door on a return to the first team there.
When one door closes, another one opens and in this instance, it’s the door leading him back to Sincil Bank.
I really liked the fit Danny Rowe. He’s a mix of Andrade and Anderson for me, maybe even a different proposition altogether. He’s perhaps stronger than Bruno on the ball, fewer tricks and more direct but with an eye for the spectacular. In some instances I could see him playing the Shay McCartan role too, if the need arose.
I’m writing this ahead of the announcement, so I won’t have Danny’s reaction at all, but I’m convinced he’ll be utterly delighted. We’ve needed cover in the wide areas, certainly with Bruno out for three games and Rowe will be able to drop in to the first team knowing some of the lads and how we work.
I’d be surprised if he started against Grimsby though, he does lack game time and with Kellan Gordon and Tom Pett raring to go there’s no need to rush him back, but once he’s been with us for a week or so we’re going to see him in action.
This is one of the signings we’ve been waiting for. Cian Bolger is massive, but we’ve not desperately needed a player in his position. James Brown is a good signing too, but Danny Rowe is another attacking element, a man who we know well, who can make a difference to the last 20 games of the season.
I’m not greedy, but perhaps now a striker and one more in the attacking midfield role and I think our January business will be complete. It’s like Deja Vu though isn’t it? Signing Danny Rowe, a centre back from League One and waiting for a striker.
Is it still 2018?