By Daniel Ragusa
Once branded as ‘the non-league Messi’ after netting 37 goals in a single season for Northern League outfit Shildon AFC, Lewis Wing has been on quite the journey in his career so far.
The hefty nametag was placed after a video of Wing scoring an outstanding solo goal in 2016 went viral - Soccer AM and other social media outlets shared the goal online.
Ex-Middlesbrough scout Ron Bone picked up on the midfielder’s impressive performances and goal-scoring exploits and decided to make an offer for the then 22-year old. On the 28th June 2017 Lewis Wing signed for Boro, despite apparent interest from a handful of other established clubs.
It’s unusual for a player to jump straight from non-league to the top of the Championship, so plenty of Boro fans were unsure about what to expect from the signing. He was placed in Craig Liddle’s Under 23’s squad to start off with, but would soon surpass what many people expected of him.
Finding His Feet
Despite finding himself in the Under-23s to begin with, Wing didn’t have to wait too long for his debut as Garry Monk brought him on as a late sub for Grant Leadbitter in Boro’s 3-0 League Cup victory over Scunthorpe on the 22nd August 2017. Wing then started in the next round of the Cup as Boro cruised to a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.
However, the youngster didn’t make another appearance for the club and was loaned out to League Two outfit Yeovil Town in January. Wing made 22 appearances for The Glovers, scoring three goals and registering one assist in a relegation-threatened side which ended the season in 19th position.
Even though that may seem to be a fairly poor return, Wing was played in a deeper central midfield position than he had at Shildon in a league five tiers above where he had played before. Furthermore, he nailed down a regular first-team spot; something not all youngsters who go out on loan manage to do.
Staking His Claim
Having enjoyed a successful first season in professional football, Wing was one of just three academy players – the others being Harry Chapman and Marcus Tavernier – who joined up with the first-team for the infamously gruelling Pulis pre-season.
The now 23 year-old played a part in six of the eight friendlies Boro played and he made his intentions clear after smashing one in to the top corner against Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburg.
Off the pitch, Boro were doing very little in the transfer window. Paddy McNair and Aden Flint were the only additions at that point and this presented an opportunity for Boro’s fringe players to make their mark and secure first-team experience.On the opening day of the season Boro found themselves 2-0 down to Millwall after 37 minutes. With those on the pitch struggling to create any real chances, Pulis turned to his youthful bench and brought on three subs at once: Wing, Tavernier and Ashley Fletcher.
After their introduction, Boro fought back to 2-2 with all three of the super-subs playing a big role in the comeback. As the next game approached, fans cried out for the likes of Wing, Tavernier and Chapman to be included once again.
Three days later, Wing made his first Championship start for Boro and after just 25 minutes, he’d helped his side to a 3-0 lead. Boro’s number 26 was having a day to remember.
Given the responsibility of taking Boro’s corners, Wing drilled, drifted and curled delightful ball after delightful ball all game - two of which resulted in Boro goals. After performing so well, Wing kept his place as Boro won their next two league games.
Out of Favour
Unfortunately, since his effervescent early-season form, Boro have signed Mo Besic and George Saville. These two players both play in the same position and same style as Wing and their signings have therefore limited his game time to such an extent that his only appearance since the 18th of August was in the League Cup victory over Preston North End.
Wing impressed once again as he and his teammates showed grit and determination to come from behind twice and progress on penalties. He registered another assist as he set up Ashley Fletcher’s goal with a defence splitting pass.
Since then Boro have played three times and Wing hasn’t even been in the matchday squad. He’s instead been relegated to the Under-23s for playing time. This decision has baffled many fans, especially considering he was given a new contract until 2022 on the 11th of October.
The Missing Piece
Boro sit in a healthy 4th position in the league at the moment, but have only scored 14 goals. There are only 8 teams in the league who’ve scored less.
Despite only making four appearances, Wing has assisted 14% of Boro’s goals so far this season, and leads the way for the number of assists with two. Only Jonny Howson has the same amount of assists as him, but he’s played 8 games more.
Wing’s main strengths are clear, his technique and vision are top-class. He has proved he has the ability to pick a pass anywhere on the pitch a countless number of times this season. His set-pieces are accurate and he seems the most suitable to take them in the whole squad, as proven against Sheffield United.
With the aerial threat Pulis’ side pose, it’s almost criminal that centre-back giants Ayala and Flint have only scored one goal apiece despite all of the corners and free-kicks Boro have taken so far.
Stewart Downing is normally Boro’s set-piece taker but he’s only registered one assist so far this season.
It’s not just on the dead ball situations where Wing comes in handy, he can also keep possession well and keep hold of the ball in tight situations. As we’ve seen in the past, he also has the ability to hit the target from outside the area.
It’s no surprise that with Boro’s lack of creativity this season, many Teessiders are calling for Lewis’ recall to the Starting XI or, at the very least, the bench.
Mo Besic has his obvious strengths, and Saville may be finding his feet, but what have either of those two done that merits a starting spot over Wing?
Should Boro keep the same midfield-trio shape after the international break, there will be five players fighting for that third midfield spot. Besic, Saville, McNair, Leadbitter and Wing will all want to claim that spot alongside the irreplaceable Howson and Clayton.
It'll be tough for him to regain a first-team place given the intense competition, but it'd be undoubtedly deserved if he managed to do so.
An Inspiration to Others
Nonetheless, Lewis’ drive and commitment is unquestionable. He’s a local lad who never gave up on his dream of making it as a professional footballer even though he was working in a warehouse less than two years ago.
When playing non-league football at the age of 22 the odds of turning pro aren’t exactly in your favour but Wing is a fine example of a player who never questioned his own abilities. The ‘non-league Messi’ title may have been brandished as a bit of a laugh, however there’s not many people who’d bet against him becoming the ‘next Jamie Vardy’.
The ex-England international and former Premier League winner went on a similar career path before making it to the very top and establishing himself on the world’s biggest stage. There’s no reason why Wing can’t do the same.
Of course he’s got to break back into Tony’s team first, but one thing’s for certain, he’s got the Boro faithful on his side.
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