PERRY NG

AGE: 21 CLUB: Crewe Alexandra POSITION: Right back VALUE: £350,000 2017-18 APPS: 36 (all comps) GOALS: 2

WHAT HAS HE GOT?

CREWE have been quietly playing their fixtures with a traditionally young side under difficult off-field circumstances. It was refreshing to see seven products of their youth system playing in a recent game. On a bobbly pitch I was impressed with the way they did not try to bash the ball forward but tried to play more considered football. I liked the look of the right back who was born in England but has Singaporean heritage. Ng has played more minutes in Crewe’s first team this season than any other colleague. He may be a late developer — he looks boyish with slightly hunched shoulders — but he’s still a decent size. He showed an excellent attitude by making himself available to support teammates when they were in a tight situation. He coped well against a striker who moved out to the left and fought for aerial balls but it was his calm, controlled passing which caught my eye. He trapped a high ball instantly and moved forward in one movement with smooth strides and played a splendid pass which bisected the opposition left centre back and full back. So few full backs at lower-league level play in a constructive fashion, but at every opportunity Ng selected his pass early and gave the receiver time to control. When he went forward into the middle third, he turned neatly inside and showed he could pass with his left foot, too. Late on, he fired a superb shot past a startled goalkeeper from 20 yards. He really caught my eye.

WHAT DOES HE NEED?

WITHOUT a winger to mark, I could not assess his tackling but he covered well when play was on the opposite side and looked a natural defender. I could only pick fault on one occasion. When the ball was played behind him, I thought his recovery run should have been more urgent. A fast sprint was needed, but his quality outshone any downside.