Ronan Arjun Maher (RAM) is an 19 year old attacking midfielder currently on loan at National League North side Rushall Olympic FC, where he is close to completing his first full season playing men’s first team football, he has represented Ireland’s U-19 side and has made appearances for parent club Walsall FC in League 2.
RAM is a small agile attacker, with exceptional foot speed, a short burst of acceleration and signs of close control. His background and experience playing Futsal is clear with how he operates in small spaces, capable of manipulating the ball and his body with real speed to shift past multiple opponents whilst looking comfortable playing across the attacking midfield.
Predominantly left footed he continues to show strong technical ability with low driven strikes and is a threat from the edge of the area, impressively he has also shown ability to cut inside on his weaker right footed and still deliver finishing ability of similar standard, but will want to work on the consistency on his weaker foot. Ronan attempts difficult techniques when crossing the ball, you can see the manipulation he tries to get on the ball with how he raises his feet pre-strike to generate whip and power which can result in flat driven deliveries that are difficult for the opposition to defend against.
RAM often chooses to go outside on his left foot when playing on the left, to improve his game further I hope he continues to add variation by cutting inside more often. When in central areas even on his weaker foot he shows composure and vision in spotting runners ahead and can link play with few touches, but again he will want to continue to develop the consistency of the weight and line of his final ball. When wide and attacking the byline he has the agility and acceleration to beat his fullback and deliver a consistent low driven cross/ cutback across the box, although he will want to improve on the accelerated touch when trying to get past the defender which can run slightly too far.
To improve his game further he will also want to execute a more consistent first touch, at times he shows he can bring the ball down quickly ready for his next action, although when controlling from aerial passes, he can bring the ball down and then must wait for it to bounce slightly or take a second touch to really take control. As he moves up the leagues, he will have less time to take the corrective touch or wait for the ball before he’s under pressure, but with the technical ability he shows and some improvement in his levels on concentration I don’t see this being a problem in the future.
Ronan Maher is already at a standard beyond that of the National League North, he will want to continue to improve on his physical level as his slight frame can struggle against bigger physical profiles when he can’t shift away, as well as improving on his variation with the ball at his feet and consistency of his final ball. His attitude doesn’t change regardless of the score line, he continues to work. In recent interviews he speaks clearly and with determination, he has belief that putting in the hard work will get him to where he wants to be, he speaks of completing extra strength and conditioning work in the off season to be ready for first team football. And he’s humble enough to acknowledge the help he’s had from more experienced players as well what he’s learned playing slightly different positions whilst on loan at Rushall Olympic, including work on the defensive side of his game.
This level of character and a clear technical ability will hopefully push him towards being part of the first team in the EFL next season, whether that be at parent club Walsall or not there should be several teams looking at RAM.
Target Scouting 