To begin with, he’s almost always played behind the central striker, but he can play wide left as well. He’s signed for us as a ten, that’s almost certain, which is where a majority of the following stats come from.
In the Blackburn season he played 52 games, with 47 outings to his name for Bradford last season. That’s impressive in itself, I appreciate he’s 24 but it suggests a great injury-free two years and one free of suspensions as well. To rack up 99 games in two years, albeit across three clubs, shows a level of consistency we’ll benefit from.
His goals tally is the same, although there is some doubt about the Bradford tally. Wyscout has him bagging eight in each season, seven for Oxford, four of which came in the EFL Trophy, and one for Blackburn. It’s debatable whether he hit eight or nine for Bradford though, his opener in the 4-3 win against Shrewsbury has been recorded as an Anthony Grant own goal in place. Still, he chips in with goals which is a bonus.
Personally, looking at his other stats, I think he can get double figures for us. In a side which relies on the ten to get forward and expose the channels, he’s going to get plenty of opportunities to shoot. He likes a shot too, averaging 2.16 shots on target in the first season we’re analysing and 2.61 in the second. One criticism I heard around me last season was we didn’t get enough shots off; Jack Payne likes a shot or two.
There is also the assist question and this is where I think he’s going to be a big help to John Akinde. He created 13 goals in League One two years ago, with a further five last season. Bearing in mind how badly Bradford did, I think he could be creating seven or eight this season. After all, he did create 2.37 shots per game for teammates during the Bradford stint, more than he created the year before.
To give that some context, last season Shay McCartan managed 0.63 shot assists per game. I’m not trying to be critical of Shay, merely highlight the different type of player we have joining us. Incidentally, Shay bagged seven goals, averaged 2,15 shots per game and got one assist.
Finally, the dribble stats. We all like a player who carries the ball forward, wins yards and gets the crowd off their seat. In both seasons we’re looking at, Payne averages over six dribbles per game, 6.05 in his two-team season and 6..53 for Bradford. For comparison, Danny Rowe’s dribbling figures for last season were 6.21 per game.
What does all this tell us? In terms of being on the ball, he’s got Danny Rowe style qualities, but he’s a central attacker and not someone being used in a different role to previous. In the struggling Bradford team, he actually created more for teammates than in the Blackburn and Oxford sides, but profligacy in front of goal from others ensured his assist level didn’t reach double figures. In truth, that’s what ultimately relegated them; that and a terrible defence.
Those shot assist figures are fascinating. Even Bruno, our assist king, only managed 0.93 shot assists per game. That isn’t a true like for like of course with Bruno playing out wide, but it shows the creativity that Payne will bring to the side. I firmly believe he could be the key to revealing a more potent John Akinde. Big John will get more chances and, when we’re playing an adventurous style, Payne will give us the means by which to unlock a defence. How often did we struggle at home against a side who came to shut up shop last season? Fewer teams will do that this year but, when they do, we have a fresh approach we can try.
Hopefully, by now you can see I’m really excited by this signing. I can see him scoring as many as Shay did, possibly a couple more, but in terms of return from the ten role, I think Shay did alright last year. It’s not about scoring twenty, not from there. It’s about creating for others, getting forward and ensuring our attack has an added dimension. John looked isolated at times last season and the one position we had to address was the player behind him.
Today, we addressed that problem, in the same way you would address not having a car to drive to the shops by buying a Range Rover Evoque rather than a Corsa or Astra.
Genuinely, this isn’t just hype, I truly believe this is the biggest signing we’ve made as a club in the modern era. 24-years-old, proven in League One and coveted by clubs much higher up. It’s definitely on a par with Bozzy and everyone involved in this deal, be it Danny, Jez George or Liam, deserves a medal.
Your excitement is off the scale. Mind you, I’d have been thrilled if we’d signed a shop window dummy, the wait has been so long. All we need now is a striker and we’re in business
Where is the creative midfielder we desperately need?
Isn’t Gary saying he’s the assist that will get Akinde etc. free scoring? I agree it’s getting nailbiting re signings.
Another fresh face ..which is good …but goals win games …a good finisher is required..
he scored 9 for a side who went down
He is one of the most overrated players I have ever seen! Good luck
Payne is overrated and you are quite clearly deluded. He came through our youth ranks (no mention of that above) before leaving a year too early and so is not the player he could have been and he will now not reach his full potential. He played at Bradford last season and they finished bottom. Says it all. He didn’t play 52 games for Blackburn. He played IN 52 games, the majority of those were substitute appearances. Get off your high horse and calm down. This is just another signing for you, he’s nothing special anymore. You’re basing this purely on stats without even seeing him play.