Who’s on Rangers Radar: Sam Field

For the second time in just over a week Rangers have been linked to QPR midfielder Sam Field. The report comes via Peter O’Rourke for Football Insider. The 25-year-old has entered the final year of his deal and both Rangers are Burnley are apparently interested in the English midfielder.

He would add depth to the number 6 position at Ibrox and potentially lessen the minutes required for John Lundstram, Lundstram has been in for serious criticism recently and the majority of fans won’t be upset at him having less time on the pitch.

There hasn’t been a fee mentioned this far and with QPR struggling financially currently alongside the fact that he’s in the last year of his deal and he could be a bargain.

Let’s look at his numbers from last season.

The Numbers

• 46 Appearances
• 2G/2A
• 1.8 Interceptions Per Game
• 2.5 Tackles Per Game
• 64% Ground Duels Won (4 per game)
• 61% Aerial Duels Won (1.9 per game)

These are great numbers for a defensive midfielder. Sam Field is a tall and powerful player who loves a tackle, which is a profile of midfielder Rangers have lack in recent seasons.

Sometimes you just need a wrecking ball in front of the defence and he is capable of providing that. Nico Raskin averaged the most tackles per game for Rangers last season with 1.8, comparatively, Field averaged 2.5 so that shows how much he loves a tackle.

Add to that the % of duels that he wins and you have a defensively solid number 6. That’s not to diminish his ability on the ball. He has a lovely left foot and is comfortable carrying the ball forward. He isn’t the most creative midfielder but having the likes of Cantwell, Cifuentes, Dowell and Raskin next to him would mean he doesn’t have to be.

Rangers need a number 6 who adds defensive stability and helps hold on to the ball, could Sam Field be the player to provide that? He previously played and thrived under Michael Beale at QPR, does that mean a reunion be on the cards?

Conclusion

All things considered, I wouldn’t be against this transfer, especially if it meant the departure or reduction in minutes for John Lundstram, although, it would also depend on the fee being paid. Anything from £1-2m represents a good deal, anything above that, I wouldn’t be paying.

At the end of the day the club need players who want to play quick and attacking football. That means players like Lundstram have to be filtered out. For Rangers to truly take the handbrake off the team needs to be filled with positive players. Could Sam Field be that player at the number 6? Time will tell.

How do you feel about this deal? Obviously, there should be positions that take more of a priority but as a midfield reinforcement, would he excite you?

ICMYI you can read yesterdays article with my line-up prediction for tonight’s match here.