CAMERON BRANNAGAN
AGE: 23 CLUB: OXFORD UNITED POSITION: CENTRE MIDFIELD VALUE: £450,000 2018-19 APPS: 53 GOALS: 6
WHAT HAS HE GOT?
THIS Manchester lad who served his apprenticeship with Liverpool really caught my eye. Playing as one of a midfield three, he drifted between defence and attack, clearly the fulcrum of the Oxford side. He has great energy and links the play, moving across the width of the field to get on the ball and make positive passes. He ‘pings’ the ball beautifully with his right foot and is given the responsibility for all corners, which he drives in with pace and accuracy. Some players were slow to read his passes but one perfectly paced ball bisected the right back and centre back to put his own left back in a crossing position. He has a competitive spirit and the respect of his colleagues, to the extent that he does not have to demand the ball. His colleagues look to give it to him, which is a good sign. They are receptive to his control and vision to find other players, which he can do by playing short and long. He was not caught for pace in a congested midfield and I would like to see his speed when the game is stretched. But he can tackle and once, when confronted in a difficult situation with two opponents snapping at him, he fought them off and emerged with the ball.
WHAT DOES HE NEED?
I COULD not doubt his bravery but on a couple of occasions he overstepped the mark and got a warning from the referee. He does not shirk a challenge and, after receiving one tough tackle, he took retribution a few minutes later with a body check on his opponent, which could have resulted in a red card. He may have a short fuse. Overall, he made a more than worthwhile contribution. In this particular game he got into the box a couple of times and his record suggests he can score. Already with three League One goals this season, in this game he timed his run perfectly to get to the far post for a precise finish. At 5ft 11in and still only 23, with 60-odd games behind him, he looks a good bet for a step up to the next level.