Doncaster Rovers | LOS THREE AMIGOS

_{Photo courtesy of Wigan Athletic}

Matt Smith was a key player in Shaun Maloney’s tenure as Wigan Athletic manager. If any player was almost irreplaceable in the Latics legend’s system, it was he. Maloney favoured a brand of possession football where moves are patiently built up from the back. Smith played the role of pivot in front of the central defenders, providing both extra defensive stability and creativity going forward. His serious hamstring injury near the end of December was a hammer blow to a manager who was struggling to impose his style of play on a young squad.

The Maloney era was one which helped stabilise a club that had come so close to going out of existence. The Scot had to operate on a much-reduced budget than his predecessors and aim towards making the club sustainable though the development of young players. Sadly, he is largely remembered for lacklustre home displays last season that provided scant entertainment for the fans. However, there were moments in his two-year spell where it looked like the manager’s vision might eventually come to fruition. Matt Smith was the catalyst who enabled those glimpses of skilful, flowing football.

Smith is still only 24 years old. An ex-Arsenal youth and under-21 team captain, he spent loan spells at Charlton, Swindon and Doncaster before Maloney signed him on a free transfer in July 2023. Although Maloney used him solely in the pivot role, he had shown himself to be an all-round midfielder in his Gunners days where he notched 7 goals and 22 assists in 94 appearances for the Gunners age group teams His attacking skills were also prominent in his stay at Doncaster.

In last night’s League Cup victory over Stockport County, he was employed in the #6 role in front of the defence, Baba Adeeko and Tobias Brenan playing further forward as #8s. However, Tyrese Francois has looked comfortable this season in the #6 role, which is also Adeeko’s best position. It leaves Ryan Lowe with options on how to utilise his midfielders. Both Smith and Francois have the skills necessary to play the #8 position. Adeeko’s strength lies in his ability to close down the opposition and protect the defence. Creativity is not his forte.

The return of Matt Smith was a welcome sight last night. Latics fans have not seen enough of him in his two years at the club. A groin injury in his first season and hamstring injury in his second meant that he has was available for selection for only half the time he has been at the club. Providing he can stay fit he can play a major role in Ryan Lowe’s plans.

Reece Wabara.
Photo courtesy of bbc.co.uk

Yesterday Wigan Athletic announced the signing of 24 year old Reece Wabara. He has signed a short term contract to the end of the current season. He was a free agent, his contract at Barnsley having expired at the end of December.

The 5 ft 11 ¹⁄₂ in defender was born in Bromsgrove and played at Walsall’s School of Excellence until joining Manchester City as a 15 year old. He became captain of the City under 16 team and progressed to become a regular starter in their Elite Development Squad. Wabara made a first team debut for City in the last match of the 2010-11 season, coming on a substitute for Pablo Zabaleta against Bolton Wanderers. He left City by mutual consent in April 2014.

During his time with City Wabara had loan spells at Ipswich, Oldham, Blackpool and Doncaster. He was to return to Doncaster on a short term contract after leaving Manchester City. He made 43 appearances for Rovers in 2014-15, before moving on to another short term contract at Barnsley, where he made 19 appearances.

Wabara clearly looks an excellent signing for Gary Caldwell who has been anxious to strengthen the problematic right back/right wing back position.

In order to learn more about Wabara we contacted the Doncaster Rovers unofficial twitter fan site (@Donny_Rovers).

Here’s over to them:

Football is in Reece Wabara’s blood; his uncle is the former Rangers’ icon Mark Walters. Unlike his uncle, Reece is more of an attacking fullback rather than an attacking midfielder. However, this hasn’t stopped him from posing a similar attacking threat. Furthermore, he is a very versatile player that has been deployed as a right-back, centre-back and even right winger during his time at Rovers.

The first time I saw Wabara play was actually for Oldham Athletic against my Rovers and on that day he was fantastic; marauding down the right, utilising his pace and strength to power past our left back on the overlap. Back then he was a young and raw footballer but nowadays his performances are more measured. Since his Oldham performance I have witnessed him playing over 50 times for Rovers, once on loan and once as a permanent signing. Despite his final ball being much improved and racking up a few assists, he still doesn’t have enough final product to be a championship level player, scoring only 2 goals in his entire professional career.

Although, I must admit he is definitely a decent acquisition at this level as he retains possession well and is good on the ball. Where Reece falls down most is defensively; as a one on one defender he is quite poor and his positioning is often questionable. Luckily, his blistering pace is a useful tool to have in these scenarios and I, myself, have witnessed him recover well from many predicaments he’s left himself in.

In terms of attitude, he seems like a genuine bloke and a hard worker that wouldn’t upset or destabilise the dressing room; then again, he didn’t endear himself to any Rovers fans when he slated the club’s ambition (having left us) in an interview for our South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley. So don’t be surprised if he doesn’t sign a long term deal at the end of the season.

All in all, I wouldn’t mind seeing him back at Donny, if it weren’t for his comments, because he is definitely a good squad player to have in this division. The reason I say squad player and not first team player is because against the top teams I’d be tempted to put in a more defensively minded player. Plus, who’s to say he won’t develop into an even better player than he already is as after all, he is only 24.