News Articles > New Contract for Rowe and Crichlow

New Contracts for Rowe and Crichlow

1/07/2021

Two of last season's breakout stars for Town have signed new contracts with the club: Aaron Rowe and Romoney Crichlow have been rewarded for their performances with a new 3 and 2-year deal respectively, with the club holding an extra year extension on both.
Both players scored in the 3-2 cup defeat to Plymouth, while Romoney put in a man of the match performance at home to Nottingham Forest, while Rowe was man of the match in the away fixture.

Aaron Rowe

Having made his debut in the Premier League against Bournemouth off the bench in March 2019, Rowe was handed his first start the week later against West Ham by Jan Siewert. Aaron played in the right-wing position, where he managed 55 minutes before being replaced by Philip Billing. Town led 2-1 while he was on the pitch after Rowe gave away a penalty in the 15th minutes but ultimately Town succumbed to a late 4-3 defeat. Rowe would have to wait nearly a year later for his next appearance as he featured on the last day of the 2019/20 campaign against Milwall. Even after making two Premier League appearances, Rowe had to work hard to get his next proper chance, which really only came about over Christmas and the start of 2021.
Rowe really burst onto the scene this season. He made five quite uninspiring performances before the turn of the year where he took off. He scored a spectacular goal on his weaker left foot from outside the box against Plymouth. One of Aaron's best attributes is that he is comfortable playing on either foot, this is hugely important in the modern game - which if you look at a player like Lewis O'Brien, he will find he can't go past a certain level because he is too reliant on his left foot. He impressed me against Plymouth, but the game that made me realise how good he was, was against Middlesborough. He only played 45 minutes off the bench, but he looked like one of the only Town players that were willing to take on a defender. Rowe then started the next game against Swansea in which Town won 4-1 with Rowe getting the assist for Holmes' first goal. He then went on to score the opener against Forest which all but confirmed Town's Championship survival. Rowe finished the season having made 12 starts and 10 sub appearances in all competitions.
Part of what makes Rowe such an impressive talent is his ability to play a number of different positions and to a high level. He can play all the way down either wings. Arguably he is better down the left side, but his versatility like him being able to use both feet, makes him such a dangerous player for Town. He will turn only 21 in September, so there is still a lot of time for him to develop into the finished article, but so far all the signs are pointing towards Town having an absolute gem on their hands.

Romoney Crichlow

He impressed in pre-season and also showed positive signs in the cup defeat to Rochdale and then against Forest where he was the man of the match in Town's first win under Corberan. Crichlow made 4 starts and 2 sub appearances in all competitions for Town last year, which I think was quite an unfair reflection considering how well he played for Town when he was given the chance.
Crichlow was initially signed through the academy as a left-back, but the 22 year old has seen a transformation similar to Tyrone Mings at Aston Villa who now plays as that left-footed ball-playing centre-back. Romoney was back up to Naby Sarr for the majority of this season and the club stated in the press release that they are looking for a suitable loan for him as he now needs regular game time. This I would agree with since he has only played 6 times in the football league at the age of 22, while a player like Lewis O'Brien has played over 120 times, so a season away would be very beneficial for Crichlow.
Two good pieces of news to start July nonetheless!