Finally we received the unfortunate but expected news that Wes Burns has seen a specialist regarding the shoulder injury he suffered whilst on international duty with Wales. (Second injury picked up on international duty now.)
Wes has seen a specialist: fingers crossed for positive news that he doesn’t need surgery. If he doesn’t require surgery, he will be out for weeks. However if he does require surgery, he will be out for months.
In this article, I will discuss the potential replacements we have. Whilst Wes is a big miss, we are lucky to have a plenty of great depth options who can fill in.
Firstly, Omari Hutchinson will be the favourite to come in. He has looked electric in his brief cameos at RW. The hardworking and trusty Kayden Jackson is another reliable option.
Content
- How big a miss is Wes Burns?
- Analysis of Omari Hutchinson
- Analsysis of Kayden Jackson
1. How big a miss is Wes Burns?
Since joining the club in 2021/2022, Wes has been a mainstay in the first team and has made that RW spot his own, recently picking up his Town century of appearances. He is always one of the first names on Kieran Mckenna’s team sheet – Kieran has always stuck with him even during spells where he is out of form. Wes’s numbers in league one were always sensational: 18 and 19 goal contributions in each of his two seasons.
Wes has started every championship game this season: he has made a decent start ,with one goal and one assist in 14 games. However, that doesn’t tell the full story – Wes has adapted fine to the step up to the championship, tormenting his opposite full back at times. One part of Wes’s game that is vital is that he always provides an out ball for Hladky to pick out when there are no other available options.
Wes’s data compared to other wingers in the league makes for interesting reading (credit FB REF):
- He is a machine aerially and will always win his battles, Wes’s press is also extremely consistent and relentless, often winning the ball in good areas high up the pitch.
- His defensive data is excellent, ranking extremely high for tackles, interceptions, blocks, clearances and aerial duels.
- He is underperforming his expected goals and assist data massively, especially assists: 0.32 expected goal and assist per game is very good.
- His passing stats come out surprisingly poor and it’s clear he is instructed to look for the cross instead of taking on his man.
Three stand out games:
- Stoke (H) his best performance of the season: Wes was devastating and had Stevens on toast, winning four fouls mostly off him. Wes also created his season high with six chances created, deservingly picking up his only assist.
- Leeds (H) Wes’s pace in behind was electric and he contributed heavily to Drameh being subbed on and off within 20 minutes, absolutely tormenting him. His pace in behind caused Leeds high line nightmares. He also created five chances.
- Hull (H) Wes played a more narrow role exploiting Coyle onto his weak foot and got a lot of joy from that. He scored his first goal of the season in devastating style, arrowing a bullet into the top corner.
Something that has been noticeable is that Wes has been slightly inconsistent so far this season and will dip in and out of games. In some games, his crossing is right on the money, but in others, it is all over the place. This is understandable considering it is his first real taste of championship football and he will take some time to adapt. He has always played better at Portman Road, putting up much better numbers at home. This trend has continued so far this season.
2. Analysis of Omari Hutchinson
Omari Hutchinson has taken the championship by storm so far, at just 19 in his first full season of senior football. He has mesmerised defenders and fans with his classy footwork and unpredictable skills. He is developing massively – noticeably his defensive game is coming on leaps and bounds. At times, he has also shown maturity beyond his years, slowing the game down when it becomes more open. With Wes’s injury, this could be the perfect opportunity for Omari to get regular minutes in his preferred position.
Omari has proven his versatility featuring in three different attacking roles so far for us. He has mostly featured in the league out on the left wing as well as the CAM role. Whilst he still looks good in both these roles, it is clear his best position is elsewhere.
In the Carabao Cup, Omari has started at RW, his best position, where he has the freedom to drive at his man, bamboozling them with his ability to go inside or outside. In the league, he has made his impact out on the right wing, despite limited cameos. Against Blackburn and Huddersfield, he was the game changer and a key catalyst in the goals which proved difference makers.
A couple of standout games:
- Southampton (A) His first league start was rewarded with an excellent performance and a first goal. The tenacity he showed to win a couple of challenges, finishing expertly with a slide tackle! He also created the most chances in the game with three.
- Blackburn (H) His best performance for me in only a 30 minute spell, he came on straight away with intensity getting at his defender, looking to get shots off. The winning goal came through his positive play, ball retention and testing cross. He also made some vital defensive contributions.
Sadly he has not played enough minutes to have an overview on FB REF. His key traits are his dribbling, skills, pressing and pace. He is still raw, at times his decision making could be better but that will come with more experience. His ball striking is also impressive in particular, strike vs Wolves. I’m convinced that this boy will go to the very top and it is a joy to watch him play!
3. Analysis of Kayden Jackson
I highlighted the other day that Kayden Jackson has been our unsung hero so far: his impact off the bench has risen to new levels so far this season and he has chipped in with a couple of vital goals so far to close out games. I believe he has made his best start to a season in a Town shirt since he flew out of the blocks in the 19/20 League One season.
Jackson is a player that divides opinion in the fanbase – I myself have changed my mind over Jackson countless times, but now I fully understand his role in the team and appreciate his workrate massively. You know what you will get with Kayden: relentless pressing, raw pace and you know he will run himself through the ground. His defensive work is always excellent as well.
Whilst he is somewhat limited technically, it is clear that his cut backs have improved. He is also very versatile, originally being a striker, a position where he has made a couple of vital contributions so far this season. He has adjusted to a new look RW position brilliantly. KM has always been a big fan of Jackson and he is a vital squad player.
Standout games/moments
- Leeds (H) Jackson’s pace in behind caused Leeds defenders to have nightmares, and he was so unlucky to not get on the scoresheet. His assist was class – he anticipated the back pass and used his lightning pace to win the ball to cut it back for Broady.
- Goals Stoke (H) / Preston (H) In both games Jackson came up huge, working his way into the box to finish off a beautiful move clinically. These goals make him our joint third top scorer!
Do not be surprised if Jackson steps in for Burns – he has never let KM down. KM might prefer Jackson’s experience and physicality. Even if he doesn’t start games, Burns injury now guarantees him minutes off the bench which is important as he is such a valuable impact sub.
In conclusion
Burn’s injury could not have come at a worse time and, just before a mammoth fixture run, he will be a massive miss. However, we are extremely lucky to have immense depth and quality in the RW position and I have full confidence that whoever replaces him will step up.
Burn’s injury has come at the perfect time to finally unleash Omari in his best RW role: he had been knocking on the door for a start. Omari deserves to come in following his immense impact on games and clear signs of development. Who knows how good he will get if he starts in week in week out? Full backs have every right to be afraid of facing him. He has made multiple experienced full backs look like fools so far.
As for Jackson, I expect him to start games which is best suited to, such as high defensive lines. However, I fully expect Rotherham to sit back and play a low block, so Omari is better suited to unlock that. Jackson will continue to be a valuable sub as he has been for the last couple of seasons. I expect him to get even more minutes now.
So, in conclusion, I expect Omari to start on Friday but who knows what KM has in store for us?! He could even throw in a Marcus Harness wildcard.
Thanks for reading!