"Absolutely ridiculous" - Claim made on Haji Wright exploits at Coventry City | OneFootball

The American grabbed a hat-trick against Sunderland on Saturday to make it ten goals in 19 league matches this season

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Haji Wright marked his first Coventry City home start in over four months in the perfect fashion last Saturday, as he bagged a hat-trick to help his side to a 3-0 win over Sunderland.

The American had been out of action due to an ankle ligament injury sustained back in November, but announced himself back on the biggest stage with three well-taken goals against the Black Cats to keep the Sky Blues’ momentum going in the race for the play-offs.

With ten goals in just 19 appearances this season, the 26-year-old has proven himself to be one of the top marksman at the level right now, and could play a huge part in Cov’s quest to earn promotion to the Premier League this season.

With that in mind, we asked Football League World’s City fan pundit Chris Deez how Wright matches up against the sharpest shooters in the EFL, as well as his thoughts on what the summer holds for club and player.

Haji Wright marks return to Coventry Building Society Arena action with Sunderland hat-trick

Having been given brief cameos as he made his way back to full fitness, Saturday afternoon proved to be the day that Wright fully announced his return to EFL action, as he put a promotion-chasing Sunderland side to the sword in front of his home fans.

A typical scamper on the last man set up his first, as he cut inside from the right after receiving the ball in space, before rifling in an effort from all of 25 yards that nestled in the bottom corner.

Another burst forward was stopped abruptly by Chris Mepham in the penalty area for him to add another from the spot, before his third could well have been the best of the bunch, as he nonchalantly chipped the ball over the onrushing Anthony Patterson to claim the match ball.

With eight games remaining in the season and everything to play for in the race for the top six, Deez believes the return to form of their main marksman can make all the difference between now and the end of the season.

When asked about the USA International, the Sky Blues fan said: “I think I speak for all Cov fans when I say we are thrilled to see Haji Wright back.

“Even though we have had a really good run of form - the best in our history - we have still struggled for goals up front while he has been gone.

“He has been gone for four months, and in that time neither Ellis Simms or Brandon Thomas-Asante managed to catch up with Haji Wright’s goal tally, which really does say a lot.

“We had players chipping with goals from defence and midfield, but you still need your best striker at all times, especially when you are pushing for the play-offs like we are.

“He got some minutes in against Oxford and Stoke and looked pretty slow and wasn’t getting back to fitness as expected. He then played the whole game against Derby and again you wouldn’t have noticed he was there unless somebody told you.

“I absolutely did not expect him on his first home start in four months to score a hat-trick against the third or fourth best team in the league.”

Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, Joel Piroe comparison made

Despite missing so much of the season due to injury, Wright’s treble at the weekend sees him comfortable sit among the top 20 marksman in the division this season, with a return better than a goal every other game as it stands.

In fact, only Sheffield Wednesday’s Callum Patterson (0.76) can better his goals per 90 ratio this season, with a return of 0.72 proving just how clinical he can be when given the opportunity in front of goal.

Borja Sainz is the Championship’s top scorer with 17 goals, in terms of out-and-out strikers, it is Joel Piroe on 15, while Josh Maja, Wilson Isidor and Josh Sargent all have 12.

Wright isn’t too far off reaching a dozen from far fewer games, and Deez believes his record speaks for itself when comparing him to some of the most sought after players in the division right now.

He continued: “We have only got a quarter of the season left, and he has scored ten goals in 19 games, that is absolutely ridiculous for how much time he has missed.

“If he hadn’t missed those four months due to injury, I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be the top scorer in the league this season.

“You have Joel Piroe and Josh Sargent who are both fantastic strikers, absolutely banging the goals in for Leeds and Norwich, but Haji has just got something about him.

“He has got pace, he has got amazing instincts and positioning. He is happy to take on defenders, he is good at finding little pockets of space. He is incredible and one of the best strikers we have had in the last ten years, probably since the likes of Callum Wilson.”

Coventry City, Haji Wright fear outlaid ahead of the summer

The big question mark regarding Wright and Coventry right now is what will happen over the summer, with Frank Lampard’s side hopeful they can make their mark on the play-offs given their rich run of form.

Their American marksman could well have a big say in which division they end up in next season, and if the Premier League proves to be a step too far once again, Deez has already given into inevitable regarding the lethal finisher.

He added: “If we don’t get promoted I would be absolutely stunned if he was still our player come the end of the next summer transfer window. We will surely cash in on him, and you have to be looking at £15-20 million.

“He is a full USA international and has played in big tournaments for them. He is an ideal player for a newly promoted team, so you are looking at Sheffield United, Burnley or Leeds, maybe even a step up to the likes of Brentford, Bournemouth… those sorts of teams.

“I think he would fit in perfectly, he wouldn’t take any time to fit in. There are loads of strikers out there that are Championship players; no matter how many times they get promoted to the Premier League they can’t cut it, but I don’t think Haji Wright will be like that.

“I think as soon as he makes his way up to the Premier League, or any top league, he will hit the ground running. He will be missed, but £15-20 million is Viktor Gyokeres money. That is money we can reinvest and buy half a squad of players with.”