Peter Beagrie offers his verdict on Deadline Day signings from the Sky Bet EFL
Wednesday 1 February 2017 17:34, UK
Peter Beagrie offers his verdict on the Deadline Day signings from the Sky Bet EFL on the latest EFL Weekly Podcast.
The Sky Sports EFL expert cast his eye over a number of big name moves from the Championship, League One and League as he chatted to Jonathan Oakes.
Read on to see what the former winger had to say and head here to download the EFL Weekly Podcast...
Jordan Rhodes (Middlesbrough to Sheff Wed)
I think when you look at the outstanding goalscoring talent in the Championship over the last few season, Rhodes has been right up there with the best of them. His record speaks for itself. He did incredibly well and broke all kinds of records with Huddersfield and then he went on to Blackburn with some huge transfer fees as well, but that's what you get when you are guaranteed goals.
I feel sorry that it hasn't happened for him at Middlesbrough. He has not really been given a lot of game time and speaking to the people up there, they are disappointed that he hasn't been given an opportunity as such with the way Aitor Karanka likes to play with the solitary striker.
He is a very good acquisition with how important goals are. Sheffield Wednesday have got him in when they are just outside the play-off places on goal difference so that is what he could bring. There is competition for places at Wednesday now, it is incredible the amount of strikers they have got. It looks like they are stockpiling and they just have to find the perfect blend of two of them.
Scott Hogan (Brentford to Aston Villa)
We look at the set-up that they have got at Aston Villa with the two pacey wingers and Jonathan Kodjia up front and they have a lot of mobility and ability there. Hogan certainly gives Steve Bruce some attacking options and an opportunity to try and change the shape.
I know he was very excited about getting the deal over the line. He will be glad now the window is shut and he has all these new players to work with, particularly after the defeat to Brentford, it is quite apparent now that they do need goals.
The other side of the coin with that is they are getting Ross McCormack out as well. Bruce has got plenty of players that play in that withdrawn striker role and with Jordan Ayew going as well, he needed another striker and he has got one of very good repute.
Ross McCormack and Zach Clough (Aston Villa and Bolton to Nottm Forest)
They are two diminutive strikers really and two people in the mould of each other physically and a little bit more in the way that they play. I think Clough is more dynamic than McCormack, who possesses great vision when he drops deep and is brilliant from set pieces as well. They will definitely be fighting over who takes the penalties and free-kicks there!
It is a sudden influx that Nottingham Forest needed and it is good for the players, especially McCormack to get rid of the negativity at Villa where he had his attitude questioned and probably rightly so. He needs a new challenge and to move away from there until the end of the season.
In Clough, Bolton have lost a player who was their star performer for many a season. He is a tremendous young talent and a lovely footballer. Again, he is one of those players that you wind him up and he just goes, he loves football and he backs his own ability. It is a chance for him to progress.
Live EFL
Lewis Grabban (Bournemouth to Reading)
Sometimes you put too much pressure on the solitary strikers that you have and Grabban is one of those who can play anywhere across the front three. I've watched him since he was a youngster at Crystal Palace going out on loan at the likes of Brentford and Millwall. He is powerful, direct and he has had a few outstanding seasons.
He still has the hunger and the talent to have a bearing at Reading. They definitely needed people in those forward areas so he is a good acquisition for them.
Yanic Wildschut (Wigan to Norwich)
There are ways and means of going out of a club and I'm sure a deal could have been manufactured if the right amount of money was offered because clubs have to do business. I worry for Wigan with him going out because he has been their outstanding performer this season.
It seems that they got a tidy fee for him so at least they are being recompensed in that way and they have been very busy by bringing in eight players themselves.
Wigan have a couple of exciting arrivals who have been in non-league, hungry guys like Omar Bogle who is strong and physical, puts himself around and certainly knows his way towards goal. It will be interesting how much game time they get and if they can find their feet in the Championship.
Matty Taylor (Bristol Rovers to Bristol City)
I think he can do it in the Championship. He is another guy who positions himself right, he has great anticipation for a striker with very quick feet. He can play with his back to goal as well so you can play off him, he's not just an out and out goalscorer although his record would suggest that. After a phenomenal season with 28 goals, you're wondering if he can replicate that or will he suffer a dip in form and he certainly hasn't.
It is a contentious move to say the least but there are many players who have made moves like that. I think he has got the mentality to cope with whatever negativity that comes his way and hopefully if it ever settles down, you would hopefully see that he has got an opportunity to play at a higher level and progress his career.
Ravel Morrison (Lazio to QPR)
The enigma that is Ravel Morrison. He is a massive individual talent, and covers the ground incredibly well with long strides from that midfield area. Some of the goals he has got and the cameos in 20 or 30 minute spells in games have been incredible. Ian Holloway will be hoping that coming back to the familiarity of Loftus Road and under his management, he is hoping to get the best out of him.
Adam Le Fondre (Cardiff to Bolton)
He is definitely a good replacement for Clough. It all depends if he gets the kind of service that he needs and I think in the wide open spaces of Bolton, he will find chances and get opportunities. Being a striker has a knack of being in the right places at the right time and you don't lose that.
When he has had his best form, he has been the main goalscorer and apart from the season he was coming off the bench at Reading and getting all the goals, he will be looking to be the main man now at Bolton and hopefully get his career back on track.
Scunthorpe reject £4m CSL offer for Kevin Van Veen
It makes good reading for the fans, to give them a sense of ambition when they are at the top of a really tough league with lots of big teams chasing you. If that is the case and they have turned them down, then it is extraordinary. He has been absolutely brilliant this season, a powerhouse who has lead the line incredibly well.
The Chinese Super League clubs are looking outside of the Premier League and Championship obviously to pick up bargains. He certainly would be one of them at £4m but if it is going to derail Scunthorpe's charge for the Championship then I think it is a good bit of business to keep hold of him because he is pivotal to their success.
