“It Seems Like a Very Good Match” – We Get The Jack Moylan Lowdown

January 8, 2024 Gary Lincoln City 0

Decent cameo for MoyPhotography for Lincoln City FC

The Imps face a week before taking to the field against Wycombe in what feels like a huge game.

With four defeats behind us and Derby and Peterborough up next, we need a good showing against Wycombe for supporters to enjoy. Something a bit different from the shot-shy December would be nice, and to help us achieve that, there will be at least two new faces.

One is new to us, but not brand new, Freddie Draper. The other is former Shelbourne striker Jack Moylan, who officially signed last week. He’s been around the side for a while, but he’s a player we don’t know a huge amount about. He was mentioned as an attacking midfielder when we first went after him, a player who sat behind the striker, but he’s now being suggested as a possible solution to our problems in front of goal.

Which is it? We spoke to Adam Scully, a Shelbourne regular and Deputy Head Of Writing at The Real EFL, to find out more.

“Moylan’s career path has been quite interesting,” Adam said when we chatted this weekend. “He was never really a prolific goalscorer until last season. His highest career tally in the professional game was seven, and he primarily played as a more creative player at Shels, normally behind the striker.

“However, an injury to Shels’ main striker, Sean Boys, practically forced Moylan into being Shels number nine and it worked. He finished last season as the joint top scorer in the league.”

That switch in position has seen some qualities come out of Moylan that sound a lot like those shown by Ben House.

“Jack is excellent at receiving between the lines and running into space. He also draws a lot of fouls because he can use his body really well to back into defenders. He’s not the quickest or the strongest, but he knows how to maximise his strengths and minimise his weaknesses.”

In terms of weaknesses, whilst he may draw fouls and use his body well, like Ben, he might need to work on other aspects of his game to reach the levels we hope to see.

“He needs to build up his body up. He’s not the biggest lad and has sometimes struggled against more physical centre-halves. In England, this weakness will be heightened, given the intensity of some of those defenders in League One. It’s likely that Moylan will start out playing in a wider position than leading the line because of this.”

Success is never guaranteed, nor is failure. Some players come over from Ireland and are a huge success; others come over, struggle, and go back. I asked Adam what he felt was the right formula for successfully making the transition and if he felt Jack had that.

“Timing is the most important thing for players coming over from the League of Ireland. A lot of players have come over to decent sides and are up against it from the get-go (Richie Towell), battling for a spot in the team. Lincoln City are struggling for goals, and Jack knows where the net is. It seems like a very good match.”

Finally, Adam finished by giving a ringing endorsement of our new number 28.

“Jack was unbelievable for Shels last season and was undoubtedly one of the best players in the league. If it doesn’t work out for him at Sincil Bank, he’ll always have a place for him at Tolka Park.”