Judging by the 26-year old's all-around excellence in a variety of midfield roles, it is not an idle boast.
“We’re getting so much from Nick,” added the Northern Irishman. “We’ve played him all over the place and he always gives everything. He’s been a very important player for us this season.”
Like Jack Grealish at Villa, Powell is a difficult player to pigeonhole. He is a natural No.10 with the technique and composure to play as a striker, the close control to function out wide, and the intelligence to operate from deep.
Wherever he is deployed, however, Powell has long been regarded as one of the most accomplished players outside the Premier League, even when he was plying his trade with Wigan Athletic in League One.
Schooled at Crewe Alexandra, Powell became the youngest player in the club’s history when he made his debut as a 16-year-old in 2010.
He played a further 63 games for the Railwaymen, capping his stay with a League Two Player of the Year award and a wonder goal at Wembley as Cheltenham Town were vanquished in the 2012 play-off final.
Denne historien er fra January 03, 2021-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra January 03, 2021-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I'd still want to keep Pat on side
Patrick Bamford has always been a player who divides opinion amongst Leeds supporters.
WHITES & THE BLADES SPEED ON
LEEDS and Sheffield United maintained their pace at the top of the table with comfortable home victories - but Sunderland slipped off the summit.
BAILEY: WE'LL GIVE POPPIES THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE
OWEN Bailey knows exactly how pumped up seventh-tier Kettering Town will be when Doncaster Rovers roll into ramshackle Latimer Park today.
TOWN EARN THEIR CORN!
HARROGATE mon Weaver breathed a sigh of relief after his side edged past Gainsborough Trinity at a rain-sodden Exercise Stadium.
OH MY JOSH - O'S KEEPER IS THE HERO!
RICHIE Wellens praised keeper Josh Keeley as Leyton Orient reached the third round following a dramatic win over National League Oldham.
'IT HASN'T BEEN MY WHOLE FOCUS AND THAT HELPED ME
SHAUN Barker never attempted to conceal the fact that he had no burning desire to play football.
MATT'S BOYS SHOW CLASS
WYCOMBE side-stepped a tricky second round fixture by defeating Wealdstone at Grosvenor Vale.
LUKE SEETHES OVER SLOPPY SWANS START
LUKE Williams admitted he gave his players the hairdryer treatment at half-time after seeing them come into the break trailing against bottom of the table Portsmouth.
UPSET FOR HARRIS AS TYLER HITS STUNNER
Neil Harris insisted the fact that Millwall were bitterly disappointed to claim only a point shows the progress his side have made over the past 10 months.
ANTE AT THE DOUBLE FOR ON-SONG CITY
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup paid tribute to the home fans after watching his side come through a tough test against Luton to win comfortably in the end.
