Former Player Round Up

With half the season now gone, Vital Crewe takes a look at how players who left the club for pastured new last summer have since fared.

Unsurprisingly, former Alex favourite Madjid Bougherra has excelled since joining Sheffield Wednesday. Bougherra has been a regular for the Owls, and has become a firm fans’ favourite with his solid defending and exciting style of play. Wednesday recently rejected a £1.3m bid from Charlton for the Algerian, with new boss Alan Pardew reported to have phoned Dario for his advice. Everton, Reading and Birmingham have since been linked with the defender, but may be deterred by the £3m price tag. The Actim Index – which ranks players based on statistics – rates Madjid as the 51st best player in the Championship this season – Sheffield Wednesday’s highest ranked player.

However, although Madjid has been grabbing the headlines, Steve Jones has been impressing at Burnley and is ranked 41st of all Championship players but Actim. Jonah began the season up front for the Clarets, and with 3 goals in his first 2 games looked to have rediscovered his touch in front of goal. However, the goals have since but this has not stopped him impressing as a left winger – grabbing 6 assists – Burnley’s joint highest.

Elsewhere, Kenny Lunt has established himself firmly at Sheffield Wednesday. Despite a mixed start under Paul Sturrock, the arrival of Brian Laws has reinvigorated Lunt, who is Wednesday’s leading assistsman. Steve Foster, meanwhile, is a squad player at Burnley, often finding himself on the bench, but a total of 15 appearances suggests a significant role.

Down in League One, Chris McCready has been the surprise package as he has managed to establish himself as a centre-back in a resolute Tranmere side, whilst also steering clear of injuries. Team-mate Gareth Taylor has played an important role for Rovers this season too, contributing 9 goals to date. Eddie Johnson’s progress at Bradford has been hindered by injuries, limiting him to 5 goals in 22 appearances. The much maligned Richard Walker has mustered 22 appearances for Vale, but has been less than impressive according to many Vale fans. Meanwhile, Justin Cochrane has been a solid member of the Rotherham side with 21 appearances, but was sent off at the weekend.

In League Two, Adie Moses has emerged as a regular at high-flying Lincoln, though Anthony Tonkin has failed to break into the Yeovil team. Juan Ugarte is back at Wrexham, but is yet to overcome his injury problems.

Finally, in other news, Dave Brammer was today released by Stoke following the permanent arrival of Salif Diao, freeing Brammer to discuss a move to lower league sides, whilst Neil Sorvel has been released by Shrewsbury and will join Morecambe.