Winger
Dean Cox
A player who always wears his heart on his sleeve, you’ll do well to find a better man on the flanks in the lower leagues than Dean Cox. Cox spent four years at Brighton and Hove Albion making 146 appearances and scoring 16 goals for the club in League One. After falling out of favour at the Seagulls, Cox was released following the expiry of his contract in 2010. His former manager Russell Slade then snapped him up on a free transfer. It’s at the Matchroom Stadium where his career has really begun to flourish over a four year period, Cox has been an instrumental figure in the Orient ranks finding the net 35 times in 172 league appearances. The 26-years old’s form last season inspired Orient to a third place finish, where they were unlucky to miss out on promotion via the play-offs.
With the quality he’s shown in the last four years, it’s surprising to me that he’s still playing for Orient, but again this is testament to his loyalty to the club and manager Russell Slade. Cox would be a dream to play with for any Championship striker. His dribbling and creativity is second to none. Once he has the ball it’s very difficult to get it off him and unfortunately for defenders he’s one of the best crossers of the ball outside of the Championship. Unlike most he has direct running with an end product, skills which are required to make it as a winger in the Championship. What sets Cox aside from the rest however is his immense work rate. He doesn’t just stay static on the flanks, often he’s constantly moving around looking to make something happen and his tireless work down his flank helping out his defenders is a crucial quality to have.
Early this month it was reported that Crawley Town were interested in prizing Cox away from the Matchroom. No disrespect to Crawley but I don’t feel that would be the best career move for him. He belongs in the Championship and I feel he could get there with Leyton Orient. They already have the nucleus of a very good side at League One level after going so close last year and reportedly have some money to spend after Barry Hearn sold his controlling stake in the club to Francesco Beccehtti. Whether he stays with Orient or not, I have no doubt that Cox will be a Championship player in the near future.
Watch Dean Cox’s incredible goal from inside his
own half here. Good enough for the Championsip?
Let me know.
