http://flblog.dailymail.co.uk/2011/12/talent-scout-ben-marshall.html Talent scout: Ben Marshall This week Adam Crafton runs the rule over Sheffield Wednesday's 20-year-old winger Ben Marshall, who is on loan from Stoke. Whatâs sort of a player is he? Marshall is capable of playing either as a winger or as a forward. He is powerful, decent in the air and a composed finisher. He is also hugely impressive with the ball at his feet, and capable of beating a defender and delivering crosses of the highest quality. While the likes of Gary Madine have been taking the plaudits for Wednesday this season, Marshall has been quietly but effectively going about his business, with six assists and four goals to his name already. Is this his first big break? No, not exactly. This is the fourth club that Marshall has been loaned out to, with the youngster having previously enjoyed spells with Northampton, Cheltenham and Carlisle. He was particularly impressive at Carlisle, where he was a pivotal member of a side that reached the Johnstoneâs Paint Trophy final at Wembley last season. However, it was a day of mixed emotions for Marshall whose joy of winning the trophy was tempered by the agony of breaking his leg just 23 minutes into the game. So he was highly rated at Carlisle, then? Absolutely. Last March, Carlisle manager Greg Abbott went as far as to say that Marshall was set for stardom in the Premier League - 'I would recommend to Tony Pulis that they really have a serious look at him. He possibly could be a Premier League player next season.' And his improvement has continued at Sheffield Wednesday? It seems that way. He has become a pivotal part of the Wednesday set-up, producing more crosses and shots than any of his team-mates. He is their principal source of creativity, hence manager Gary Megsonâs desire to extend his spell at the club. So he's likely to remain with Wednesday? They certainly hope so. Megson has made it clear that he would like to either extend Marshallâs loan spell or sign the winger on a permanent basis. Equally, Marshall has stated that he would be prepared to stay with Sheffield Wednesday. Huddersfield are also interested and have reportedly had a £500,000 bid rejected. Either way, he seems set to leave Stoke then? Not necessarily, Stoke blocked Marshall from playing in the early rounds of the FA Cup which suggests one of two things. It could be that the Potters' manager Tony Pulis still sees a future for him at the club, or it was an attempt to make Marshall more appealing for potential suitors in January as he would still be available for selection in the FA Cup. Is he good enough for the Premiership? He may be in the future, but he's probably not quite ready yet. Marshall would benefit from another year or two in either League One or the Championship, which would give him further exposure to first-team football. Should Marshall leave, Stoke may regret selling him in a few years time, as he would appear to be an ideal long-term replacement for Matthew Etherington. And there is more to come? Without a doubt. Marshall is blessed with all the necessary attributes to be an extremely good player and he also seems prepared to work exceptionally hard to get to that level. His comeback from a badly broken leg in April has been excellent and the fact that he is playing even better since his injury than he was doing before is a testament to a determined, focused and hugely talented youngster.
