One of the first names produced by the transfer rumour mill this summer as far as Bristol Rovers are concerned was Tyler Walker, the Coventry City striker who has shone in the past but has lost his momentum.
While on the books of Nottingham Forest, the son of 59-cap England international Des Walker had superb loan spells with Mansfield Town and Lincoln City. At Field Mill in 2018/19, Walker scored 26 goals in 50 games, and when he stepped up to League One with the Imps the following year, he scored 16 before being recalled to the City Ground in the January transfer window.
In the summer of 2020, he would be snapped up by Coventry City after they were promoted to the Championship, but the upward trajectory he enjoyed before joining Mark Robins' side has slowed, struggling with the Sky Blues and on a loan spell at Portsmouth since January. His past two seasons have culminated in 14 goals, a significant drop off from the prolific edge he showed with the Stags and the Imps.
Now, he is a player of consideration for Joey Barton and Rovers, according to the Sunday Mirror, and to get a better idea of the 25-year-old's abilities, Bristol Live spoke to three reporters who have covered him at different clubs: Jordan Cross of The News, Andy Turner of Coventry Live and Mark Whiley of Lincolnshire Live.
They all offered different assessments of a player who appears to be in need of a fresh start.
Jordan Cross (Portsmouth News)
How would you sum up Tyler Walker’s loan spell with Portsmouth?
I’m afraid Walker will go down as one of the worst and most expensive loan mistakes seen at Pompey in recent years. He came in from Coventry tasked with firing his side into the play-offs - and right at the top of the wage bill on £7,000 a week. One goal in 15 appearances tells the tale of how things went.
What were the strengths and weaknesses in his game during his time at Fratton Park?
To be honest, it’s hard to talk about his strengths because we never saw them! He’s quite pacy and direct, while Danny Cowley branded him a ‘ghost’ for the way he drifts in late and gets goals. Pompey fans will call him a ghost for a different reason, however…
Why did it not click for him at Portsmouth? Did he struggle fitting into the system or style of play?
Pompey mainly played either a 4-2–3-1 or 3-4-3 over the second half of the season. After struggling, George Hirst really came to the fore through the middle as Walker struggled. The January transfer fanfare was for Walker but he was also left behind by the unheralded Aiden O’Brien, whose honesty and graft chime with what Pompey fans demand.
There was a moment in April’s defeat at Cheltenham when Walker ambled towards a loose ball, allowing the home side to win it and break forward. Pompey fans won’t have that and nor did Danny Cowley - it proved to be his final appearance for the club.
Has Danny Cowley offered any insight into why it did not work out at Pompey?
Being a number nine at Pompey can be a tough gig. Players like Michael Smith, Eoin Doyle and John Marquis have had similar struggles in recent years. Cowley knew what Walker could do from their time at Lincoln, he just couldn’t reproduce it at Pompey - and he was honest enough to admit he got it wrong.
That’s not to say Walker can’t be a success elsewhere - sometimes your face just doesn’t fit.
Andy Turner (Coventry Live)
What is your assessment of Tyler Walker’s spell at Coventry City so far?
It's fair to say it's been disappointing. He actually finished as the club's leading scorer in his first season with the Sky Blues, albeit it with only eight goals, but this last campaign has been a bit of a disaster for the 25-year-old.
He grew increasingly frustrated at City in the first half of the season when he was unable to establish himself as a regular starter and was limited to three goals before heading out on loan to League One Pompey where he managed just one in 15 appearances before ending a miserable spell at Fratton Park as an unused sub in their last six league games.
Is he likely to leave the club this summer or could he force his way into Mark Robins’ plans?
With a year left on his contract he will be due to report back for pre-season and fight for his place. However, it's unlikely the club will stand in his way if he can find himself another club. It's unlikely he will get in ahead of leading scorer Viktor Gyokeres (18) - assuming the Swede is still at City next season - and Matty Godden. A move would appear to suit both parties but big wages may be an issue.
Is there a particular style of play or system that suits his game? Conversely, are there any weaknesses that interested clubs will need to be aware of?
He's more of your right place, right time sort of striker in the box. Danny Cowley nicknamed him 'The Ghost' during his prolific spell at Lincoln for his knack of popping up from out of nowhere to score. The one big criticism is his perceived lack of work rate off the ball and languid demeanour.
He was heavily criticised by observers at Pompey and something has gone wrong for the player who is clearly lacking in confidence. After all, he scored 16 goals in five-and-a-half months for Lincoln in League One and 26 in his season-long loan at Mansfield in League Two before that, so there's a prolific goal scorer in there somewhere.
Mark Whiley (Lincolnshire Live)
What are your recollections of Tyler Walker’s loan spell with Lincoln in 2019/20?
He was outstanding during his half-season with the Imps, scoring 16 goals before he was recalled at very late notice at the end of the January window. It was a major blow at the time. His goal ratio was no mean feat as he did it during a transitional period for the club, with the Cowleys leaving just a month after his arrival and being replaced by Michael Appleton.
I've no doubt he would have hit 25 and possibly even 30 that season. Not bad in a side that was a mid-table outfit at best.
What were the strengths of his game that made him a success for the Imps that season?
Finishing. You give him a chance and nine times out of 10 he'll finish it off. He also doesn't hide. In one game against Sunderland, he opened the scoring, then missed a penalty but then scored the game-clinching second.
Are you surprised he has struggled to find the same scoring form since his time at Sincil Bank?
I'm surprised his career hasn't kicked on since he went back to Nottingham Forest. Coventry seemed like a good move but it's not worked out there and he's had some injury problems. Maybe a spell back in League One, where he'd play every week, is just what he needs to get his career back on track. I think he'd be an excellent signing for Rovers.
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