History for valeo

Relegation is always a rough one to take but for Clayton Lewis a stint in League Two next season might be exactly what he needs. The kiwi midfielder had been a fringe player at best for Scunny since he arrived but the last couple months of last season, under interim manager Andy Dawson, finally saw him get an extended run in the starting eleven and even though he wasn’t able to inspire them to stay up, he did show that there’s a fair bit he’s got to offer this club.

Paul Hirst has come in as manager since then and Clayton Lewis is hitting up the final year of his contract. Put simply, this is do or die for his Scodhorpe career. He can either kick on from here and really establish himself or he can start looking elsewhere pretty soon. With preseason just around the corner, that’s an exciting prospect to be honest. And as always, luck and circumstance will play a part, here’s a local view of the whole tactical run down…

Grimsby LIVE: “According to transfermarket, Hurst's most used formations during his time as a manager are 4-1-4-1 and 4-2-3-1 - this works for Lewis. In both line-ups, he'd be able to play as an advanced central midfielder whilst finding pockets between the oppositions midfield and defence. The way Scodhorpe United played for the majority of last season was not conducive to Lewis' game, nor his progression as a player. In Stuart McCall's diamond, Lewis was seemingly third choice in the pecking order to play the number 10 (behind George Thomas and Jordan Hallam), whilst struggling to impress playing from the wing - a position which he just does not seem to suit in the EFL.

It's difficult to find a spot for Lewis in the 4-4-2. He'll be behind Adam Hammill, Ryan Colclough and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni in the pecking order to play from the wings, and he doesn't really have the ideal size nor strength to play in a two-man midfield whilst likely being behind Matty Lund, Funso Ojo and James Perch. However, towards the end of the campaign under Andy Dawson, Lewis was brought into the team and performed well as a central midfielder alongside Matty Lund. The two were able to work the ball around nicely, with Lewis looking to always make himself available for the pass and drove forward initiating Iron attacks.”

Paul Hurst is a decent appointment with something to prove after a shocker time with Ipswich last season where he lasted just five months and the Tractor Boys went on to be relegated. Clayton Lewis has something to prove as well, which goes good. Andy Butler, a veteran defender, has been the only addition to the squad so far but there’ll probably be a couple more over the next week before the squad leave for camp in La Manga.

Grimsby LIVE: “Lewis has the raw ability and talent to thrive in League Two, not many Iron fans will question that. But can he show, on a regular basis, that he can be a player who stays involved in the game and adds the goals and assists he'll need to to keep his place? If he does, he could become the player who Scodhorpe United fans had hoped he would when Graham Alexander brought him to the club two years ago. If he doesn't, it could be the last we see of him playing in England.”