The summer of 2022 saw Doncaster Rovers go through something of a rebuild, both within the squad and behind the scenes. This was a result of a torrid campaign in EFL League One where they spent the majority of the season in the relegation zone and were eventually relegated to League Two.
One of the players brought in to give the attacking ranks a bolster was Kyle Hurst, a 20-year-old winger signed from Birmingham City. Hurst enjoyed some time in the U21s squad for the Blues while training with the first team on more than one occasion – he was also sent out on loan to non-league Alvechurch to get some important match experience. Following a successful trial with Doncaster Rovers in pre-season, manager Gary McSheffrey saw enough ability and potential in Hurst to give him a deal at the Eco-Power Stadium.
This scout report will provide a tactical analysis of Hurst’s impact on Rovers so far, giving insight into how he fits into Donny’s tactics, and the danger he has caused in attack in his early days at the club his dribbling and general ball progression contributing to this. We will look at his performances and data from every competition Rovers have featured in so far this season. Thats EFL League Two, the EFL Carabao Cup, and the EFL Papa John’s Trophy.
Player profile
Kyle Hurst caught the eye of a few clubs around League Two and the National League with his tricky dribbling and close control, along with the attacking threat he poses in the final third. As mentioned, he came through the ranks at Birmingham City and showed impressive flashes at the Championship clubs U21 squad in the Premier League 2, but they clearly didn’t have enough faith in his potential to keep him on their books – Doncaster are currently benefiting from that decision.
As we can see from his heatmap, Hurst has been most present on the left flank. We can see that he offers some assistance defensively and is required to track back, in line with the club’s tactics. The heatmap also shows us that he likes to cut inside around the edge of the box to use his stronger right foot, rarely driving towards the byline.
Dribbling ability
It goes without saying that dribbling is an essential skill for a winger, and it is currently Hurst’s biggest asset. He has displayed an ability to run with the ball at speed to beat defenders – both when cutting inside or sticking to the touchline. This segment shows us how he finds success in those areas, along with some data visuals to give a clearer idea of his contribution.
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