Kemar Roofe Type

This is one that is specific to MA. I think we need two strikers in the window if we can get them. My suspicion is that we’ll see a couple of loans; the quality of player we need is simply not going to be easy to come by in January, so we may have to ‘make do’ and be patient. Or, we might end up going with someone in a similar position to Kemar Roofe.

For those who do not know, he was a West Brom reserve player struggling to make a name for himself at the Hawthorns. He went on loan to Oxford, did well and they bought him for an undisclosed fee. He exploded into life, bagged a hatful of goals and made a substantial seven-figure sum move to Leeds United where, again, he excelled. He’s now with Anderlecht.

It sounds so very easy, doesn’t it? I firmly believe there are ten Kemar Roofe’s that slip through the net every year. In the youth ranks of our domestic clubs, the talent thrives but isn’t exposed to chance or opportunity. When they do get plucked for loan or even a permanent move it is all down to the manager and the training. Kemar Roofe thrived under Michael Appleton and our manager’s real skill is on the grass with his players. Look at Dan James; I was told by Joe Morrell that at a young age few could see Dan James would be a big star, yet hard work, exposure to senior football and the right manager have seen him arrive at Manchester United as an exciting talent.

I’m not saying here that we need to sign a future superstar, that’s ridiculous, what I am saying is I hope to see us going for a younger player with talent to develop. They are out there and it’s our time to make room for someone not proven, but also not as much of a gamble as a 19-year-old from Gainsborough or the Nike Academy.