Having failed to score in his previous seven League One games, you wouldn’t have found many Oxford United supporters labelling West Ham loanee Nathan Holland one of the best wingers in the club’s 128-year history in the build-up to last night’s clash with Accrington Stanley.
But after Holland broke his duck and scored twice in the space of six first-half minutes at the Kassam Stadium, manager Karl Robinson had no qualms about placing the spring-heeled 23-year-old alongside some of the greatest players to wear that famous yellow shirt.
High praise indeed.
“I’m really proud of Nathan. It has been tough love as it is with all our young players,” beamed Robinson, singing the praises of a man he described as an “outstanding” talent during a previous spell at Oxford, one cut short by injury.
“When he performs like that, he’s as good as any winger this club has had – and that’s saying something with the club’s history.
“His ability to float and drift and front players up – today he showed everyone what a good player he is.”
Make or break season for Nathan Holland and his West Ham career
This is a big season in Holland’s career – a make or break, sliding doors sort of season.
He’s too old for youth team football but, at the age of 23, his tally of senior league appearances stands at a measly 20.
And while Holland impressed West Ham staff in pre-season, bulking up, filling out and making big strides in his physical development, a regular role under David Moyes seems unlikely, especially with the likes of Andriy Yarmolenko and Nikola Vlasic warming the bench.
Did we mention Holland’s contract expires next summer too?
But more performances like Tuesday’s, he scored twice and set up another in Oxford’s 5-1 win, and the offers will come rolling in. A fair few EFL clubs would be willing to take a punt on a player who, on his day, can strike fear into the heart of third-tier defenders.
Who knows, perhaps he’ll stay at the Kassam? Holland could do a lot worse than commit his future to a manager who’s willing to back him to the hilt.
Here’s what some Oxford supporters on Twitter had to say about Holland’s performance last night:
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
