Clever is the word that is brought up with Grand Admiral Thrawn and his management style. His plans were elaborate. He was always 3 steps ahead of his opponent, Force user or not. 

The “brush-fires” of revolt in the galaxy must be dealt with in Star Wars Rebels. Thrawn is the one to quell them. How he will do that is up to the Lucasfilm Writing Group, but there is so much great story out there about Thrawn and what he can do it would be a shame not to use him.