Can this talented youngster recover his best form to move Ipswich back into the play-offs?

Add as preferred source on Google

When Ainsley Maitland-Niles arrived at Ipswich on a season long loan from Arsenal last summer, his signing was met with excitement by Ipswich fans that were keen for Mick McCarthy to add more pace and creativity to his squad.

Ipswich had struggled for goals from midfield in the 2014/15 season; just 10 goals were scored by Ipswich midfielders, far less than their top 8 rivals. Maitland-Niles, along with other new wingers Ryan Fraser and Tommy Oar would surely bring a more exciting, dynamic midfield for the season ahead.

But now, with Town eighth in the table and three points outside the play-offs after consecutive away losses at QPR and Bristol, Town are again struggling in midfield after a minor injury crisis; Cole Skuse, Ryan Fraser, Luke Hyam, Giles Coke and David McGoldrick have all been out injured alongside long term absentee Teddy Bishop, while Jonathan Douglas has been unavailable because of a suspension, following a red card away at Birmingham City in January.

With Tommy Oar leaving the club in January and both Cameron Stewart and Dylan Connolly having left in December, Town now severely lack attack minded wingers. Larsen Toure has clearly not done enough to force his way into Mick McCarthy’s starting 11, so Town are left with new Fulham loanee Ben Pringle and Ainsley Maitland-Niles as their main options out wide.

Having worked his way through the youth system at Arsenal, Maitland-Niles is highly thought of and Arsene Wenger is said to see a first team future for him there. He made his full Arsenal debut aged just 17 away at Galatasaray in the Champions League and has been capped at England under 17, 18 and 19 levels.

This season however, he has only shown glimpses of the talent that earned him a professional contract at Arsenal. Against Birmingham in October, he ran with the ball from his own half and won a penalty, against Bolton he scored a superb goal from outside the box, in an FA cup tie away at Portsmouth he scored a curling shot from distance and in October he scored an incredible long range goal for England Under-19s against Germany.

But, unfortunately, too often for Town this season Maitland-Niles has been weak and ordinary. Tough, championship battling matches have passed him by as his lack of physicality, not required at youth levels, prevents him from affecting the game.

In a recent home game against Reading he was taken off at half time after a poor first half, where he repeatedly gave the ball away. Mick McCarthy did support him though, describing the 18 year old’s season as ‘at times different class’ but ‘having a tough night’, proving that Mick McCarthy, as well as Arsene Wenger, certainly sees an excellent footballer in him.

Could Maitland-Niles’ best form be found through the position he plays in though? He has been played in many positions already this season, with McCarthy clearly unsure what his best position is. He has played on the right wing, on the left wing, at Arsenal he played as a central midfielder and this season he has also been played in the hole behind a striker.

A free role as an attacking midfielder could be his best position though, there he could make runs beyond defences, play passes in behind, and score goals. However, in a Mick McCarthy traditional 4-4-2 he may well have to accept playing out wide, where he sees less of the ball.

A season in the championship can only have improved him, toughening him up for possible future Premier League football. If Maitland-Niles can consistently find his best form this season in a position that suits him best, his performances could certainly fire Town back into the top six.