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Published Aug 18, 2026, 9:10 AM GMT+1
Daniel is an experienced football writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering the professional game, specialising in the Championship, Football League and Scottish football, alongside in-depth coverage of Norwich City, Celtic and Rangers.
A journalist since 2015, Daniel began his career writing for Fresh Press before progressing into a full-time writing and editing role, producing club-focused coverage for Read Norwich, Read Celtic, Read Liverpool and Read Arsenal. He later spent almost a year with Liverpool-based outlet Anfield Watch, where his work included conducting and transcribing interviews with figures including Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, former Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa and journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Daniel has worked with Snack Media (now Valnet) since 2021, contributing to Football FanCast as both a writer and editor. His work focuses particularly on player analysis, transfer insight and original football features, combining detailed knowledge of the game with research-driven assessment of players, clubs and potential moves.
His specialist knowledge of Norwich City and the Football League has also seen him contribute to BBC Norfolk and assist DAZN with research for commentary broadcasts. As a Norwich City season-ticket holder, Daniel brings a level of first-hand knowledge of the club and its players that complements his wider expertise across the Championship and EFL. His Norwich coverage has also featured in publications including the Coventry Telegraph and Liverpool Echo.
Alongside his Football League expertise, Daniel has covered Celtic and Rangers extensively, developing a strong understanding of Scottish football. His work gives readers informed transfer assessment, detailed player analysis and authoritative insight into clubs and competitions he has spent years following and reporting on.
West Bromwich Albion were dealt a blow last week when central midfielder Alex Mowatt opted to join one of their Championship rivals on a permanent transfer.
The Baggies accepted an offer from Derby County for the experienced star and he left to join the Rams, for a fee said to be worth north of £600k.
His contract was due to expire at the end of this season and the club decided to cash in on him now rather than running the risk of losing him for nothing next summer.
James Morrison revealed that he had been planning to have the 31-year-old midfielder in his squad for the clash with Norwich City on Saturday, but the Baggies came away with the 2-1 win without him.
Why West Brom need to replace Alex Mowatt
Despite beating the Canaries at Carrow Road on Saturday without Mowatt in the side, Morrison still stated that he wants to bring in another midfielder to replace him.
It is an understandable desire from the Scottish boss because Jayson Molumby is the only central midfielder in the entire squad who has played 60 or more matches in the Championship.
There is a lack of hardened Championship experience in the manager's options in the middle of the park, which is why signing a like-for-like replacement for the experience that Mowatt brought to the team is needed.
|
Appearances |
39 |
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Big chances created |
8 |
|
Assists |
4 |
|
Tackles + interceptions per game |
1.9 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
59% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
46% |
The 31-year-old was a regular starter for the Baggies in the 2025/26 campaign and provided both quality on the ball and physicality out of possession, as evidenced by his statistics in the Championship.
That means that the task for the club is to find a new central midfielder who has experience in the division and can impact matches in and out of possession.
West Brom eyeing dream replacement for Alex Mowatt
Now, the board are said to be looking at a player who would arrive at The Hawthorns as the perfect replacement for Mowatt in the middle of the park.
Football League World reports that West Bromwich Albion are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign free agent Will Smallbone before the end of the summer transfer window.
The outlet claims that the Baggies are set to battle it out with Championship rivals Stoke City and Burnley to land the Ireland international in the coming weeks.
He has been a free agent since his contract with Southampton expired at the start of July, and he now appears to have plenty of options to choose from to find a new club.
The 26-year-old star has the experience that West Brom need to replace Mowatt, with 96 appearances and a promotion from the division under his belt. He has even played for three teams in the league, in Southampton, Millwall, and Stoke City.
His best campaign in the Championship, without a doubt, came under Russell Martin when the Saints won promotion via the play-offs in the 2023/24 season.
|
Appearances |
43 |
|
Goals |
6 |
|
Big chances created |
8 |
|
Assists |
3 |
|
Tackles + interceptions per game |
1.8 |
|
Pass accuracy |
90% |
|
Duels won per game |
1.8 |
The Ireland international produced Mowatt-esque performances in midfield for Southampton that season, as he was exceptionally reliable as a passer and offered a threat in the final third, particularly with his ability to create 'big chances' for his teammates.
Like the English veteran, Smallbone is a central midfielder who provides technical quality in abundance in the Championship, as shown by his output as a passer and a creator.
Unfortunately, though, the last couple of years have not been kind to him. He only played 18 times in the Premier League as the Saints were relegated in the 2024/25 campaign, before missing 29 matches through injury on loan at Millwall last season.
The Baggies would be taking a risk on the experienced talent, given his injury struggles last term, but his previous form in the Championship shows that the reward could be huge.
Smallbone has the experience and the quality to be the perfect replacement for Mowatt, whilst not costing a penny, and that is why the club should push to win the race for his services ahead of Burnley and Stoke in the coming weeks.
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