50 JOE ALLEN
STOKE CITY
POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 32
Stoke are a better team when the Carmarthen-born controller is in it. With an exemplary work rate and a penchant for strong challenges, the zestful former Liverpool favourite solidifies the Potters’ midfield and has forged a steady partnership with Lewis Baker. Unfortunately for City, it hasn’t been enough to propel them into play-off contention.
49 PETER CLARKE
TRANMERE ROVERS
POSITION DEFENDER AGE 40
He’s not quick, he’s not that tall – but it’s never stopped the grizzled veteran before. Clarke’s vast experience is pivotal to a Rovers side that have churned out clean sheets for much of their League Two promotion challenge. Forty!
DID YOU KNOW? David Ginola, Wayne Rooney and Gazza are all former club team-mates of his.
48 MATT JAY
EXETER CITY
POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 26
Jay wasn’t exactly an early bloomer, so the Grecians have had time to nurture their diminutive skipper. They now boast one of the strongest technicians in League Two, and if City were to finally drop their status as the division’s nearly-men, one-club man Jay would be more than ready for the step up in quality.
47 CAMERON BRANNAGAN
OXFORD UNITED
POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 25
Brannagan nearly lost his vision following an injury at Gillingham in October 2020, but kept his sight thanks to heroics from a doctor who cancelled their holiday to perform key surgery. The driven midfield dynamo then bagged a record-breaking four penalties in a 7-2 shellacking on his next appearance at Priestfield. Apt…
46 EMIL RIIS JAKOBSEN
PRESTON NORTH END
POSITION FORWARD AGE 23
PNE’s best business in years was tying their star marksman down to a long-term contract. Selfless, hard-working and capable of an acrobatic finish, the ex-Denmark Under-21 striker is close to being the complete striker at Deepdale.
DID YOU KNOW? Jakobsen was on Derby’s books from 2015-18, but never made a senior outing.
45 JAMES MCCLEAN
WIGAN ATHLETIC
POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 32
Wherever he goes, controversy usually follows. Ever since the Derry-born wideman declined to wear a poppy on his shirt in 2012 for political reasons, he’s been subjected to more than his fair share of stick. More recent incidents – not least a two-goal performance against Bolton in October, which saw him pelted with bottles amid unruly crowd behaviour – have done little to diminish his image.
Nonetheless, McClean’s drive to defend his beliefs off the field mirrors the drive he brings to Wigan on it. The ex-Sunderland and West Brom midfielder has helped the Latics put last term’s dice with the drop behind them, and their promotion tilt under a new regime is in no small part down to the 88-cap Irishman, consistently offering ace service after bold dashes down the left.
THEY SAID… “He does the right things off the pitch every day; by Saturday he’s ready to produce” – Latics boss Leam Richardson.
44 JONNY WILLIAMS
SWINDON TOWN
POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 28
You’ve doubled your career tally of league goals in one season. How much have you loved this campaign?
It’s been good – it’s something I’ve always been keen to improve on, having the confidence to shoot more. I get around the edge of the penalty area with the way I play and dribble – my initial thought was always to pass, but sometimes you have to take a risk yourself. Who doesn’t like scoring goals?!
Boss Ben Garner signed you for Swindon shortly after their takeover. How did the move happen?
I got back from the Euros and was out of contract. I just wanted to make sure that whatever I did, I enjoyed it, as there’d been two or three years where I hadn’t so much. I’ve known the manager since I was in the academy at Crystal Palace – he always told me that if he ever became a first-team manager he’d bring me in, and he was true to his word!
You’ve stayed in the Wales squad despite dropping to League Two – did you speak to boss Robert Page first?
Playing for Wales is always a massive honour – playing in the Euro 2016 semi-final was beyond my wildest dreams. The manager said he believed in me regardless of where I was playing, whether that was League Two or abroad, which was great. I was open to travelling – a few different countries were possible – but I’m glad I stayed in England.
You’ve had a few injuries in your career – you featured heavily on the Sunderland Netflix documentary, for example, feeling pretty down.
That time was frustrating; lonely as well. I went up there on my own, and when you’re injured and a long way from home, it can be tough – especially when you go with high hopes to do well. Being a footballer can be the best job in the world, but also the worst. No matter how much money you earn, it can’t buy you happiness – if you’re not on the pitch, you’re not going to be happy. But I had lots of nice messages from people around the world after that – when you’re getting videoed doing your rehab,
