The Sheffield United winger was named man of the match as the Blades came away from the home of rivals Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 winners.
Terry Curran (pictured, above right), Chris Waddle and, for a brief time, Regi Blinker – a trio of skilful wingers adored by the Sheffield Wednesday faithful.
Few like those have graced the Hillsborough turf in recent years, at least not in Wednesday colours, and boy could they have done with one on Sunday – although it was their defending which arguably cost them most during the 4-2 defeat against Sheffield United.
In David Brooks (pictured, below left) – the 20-year-old making only his second Football League start – the Blades certainly did, even if he wasn’t deployed strictly out wide.
But what an outlet he was, using a combination of pace, trickery and perhaps fearlessness to terrify Wednesday’s defenders – in particular Jack Hunt.
Some would argue Lucas Joao had a similar impact for the Owls when he came on at half-time, and they would, of course, be correct – although the Portuguese’s talents are arguably best called upon inside of the box than out of it.
That Joao was there at all is linked, ostensibly, to the absence of George Boyd and Marco Matias, but perhaps more so to Wednesday’s failure to recruit a player more like Brooks in the summer transfer window.
According to the Sheffield Star they did try to, with Liverpool’s Ryan Kent (pictured, above) – who was subsequently loaned to Freiburg – and Southampton’s Josh Sims said to have been targets.
After Sunday’s display, Carlos Carvalhal’s side may wish they’d done so a little harder.
What did you make of Brooks’ performance against Sheffield Wednesday?
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