I have been reading this forum for a long time but never replied to a thread and certainly never started a thread. But last week I signed up as a member and now I fell obliged to write something following the "lurker" thread. So here goes... I have been hearing snippets that Luongo is doing quite well at Ipswich (including a first goal) but was wondering whether any else had heard a bit more detail of his early performances or, for that matter, those of any of our youngsters out on loan and what the prospects at our club are for them????? I appreciate the question may be better posted on the Ipswich page but it has taken me years to post something here!
I've only seen positive feedback about Luongo from Ipswich fans so far. They seem really impressed by him, but I think he's still adjusting to playing week in, week out in a first XI, so he's running out of steam towards the end of games. He's only young though and the whole experience is very new to him, so I'm sure that'll come in time. The only other players that we have out on loan this season are Rose, Kane, Khumalo, Bostock, Dawkins and Fredericks. Rose, Bostock, Fredericks and Kane are yet to feature and I've no idea how Khumalo's doing, but Dawkins seems to be having a good season for San Jose. 7 goals in 23 games and they seem impressed by him, so expect him to make a permanent move for a minimal fee.
Thanks for the update. I am surprised that Khumalo and Bostock, for instance, have not been moved on permanently. I look forward to seeing how the others do - particularly Kane - I just hope he gets opportunities at Norwich.
I keep an eye on Ipswich (normally hoping they lose - heavily which they seem to have a knack of doing) and they lost by several goals to Blackpool recently I believe but apart from that they have plodded along and believe Luongo has got an assist or two as well as a goal. I have heard/read nothing but good feedback about him though
Someone should set up a thread called Loan Watch and then update it accordingly so we can all see how our loanees are doing at their clubs.
I assumed KH was taking the piss considering there is a weekly (?) blurb on the OS named "Loan Watch"
I haven't seen any of Ipswich this season but his goal against Carlisle's on here: http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,16486_8032203,00.html
Of those on loan, I think Kane, Fredericks and Luongo have futures. Bostock has not materialised into the player expected, whether that's our fault or his, it'd be better to move him on now. Maybe Swindon will take him permanently after his 2nd loan stint with them. Rose, an "OK" back up to Benny but that's all he'll be until Benny leaves/ retires - and Rose won't want to wait until he's 25/26 to even have a chance at becomming our number 1 LB. Dawkins is 25 now I think, even though he was regarded as a great prospect just blighted by injuries, I can't see him having a future when his SJ stint comes to an end regardless of how well he's doing. Khumalo clearly never had the ability expected from him, he had a good WC but I suppose that was down to playing on home soil and just having the buzz of the home crowd behind you in the biggest competition. I can see him joining a Championship club when his loan finishes, unless PAOK sign him permanently. Fredericks has shown that he has raw ability, a touch of Aaron Lennon in terms of pace and agility, also showed he can slot in at RB when we played Rubin away (and was the best player on the pitch bar Carlo in my opinion). So I reckon he'll have a chance to prove himself in a year or two. Kane will develop into our 3rd or back up striker I think, he has good technical ability and a great work rate, not an out an out finisher but more of a "Heskey to an Owen" striker in which he's happy to let his strike partner take the glory after doing the hard work (just hopefully he'll be a slight upgrade on Heskey ). Providing he gets game time at Norwich, he'll come back ready to challenge. Then there's Luongo, who's already featured for us and seems to be doing the business at Ipswich, from what I've seen he has the attributes to be a complete midfielder, a Steven Gerrard type (not that I'd expect him to reach that sort of level but you get the point) and a lot of people have said he's a great talent so I'd expect him to be around the first team either next season or the one after.
That Luongo goal's superb. Very intelligent finish, through a crowded box. No chance for the unsighted keeper. A loan watch thread probably isn't worth it at the moment, as we don't have that many players out this season. That might change though, as we had a ton out in the last campaign.
The most recent Loan Watch on the OS Shame about the picture of Mass they had with it... please log in to view this image
Fredericks needs to get in the gym, he's a bit lightweight atm, limbs like cocktail sticks, he can take Tom Carroll with him too! SoS, got any 'HGH'! They could be the next Messi! (I assume we're all aware Messi was on GH as a teenager)
One problem with Luongo is, because he prefers to be called Mass (even the OS has done it this season) he's inviting all manner of tabloid punnery...
Last season he was at West Ham when the photos were taken (the likes of Caulker, Naughton and Byrne weren;t photographed either for that reason) - although he did get a squad pic later in the season, because he was at Spurs Lodge recovering from a broken leg when we had the pics for Saha and Nelsen done.
Was he on holiday? Two seasons in a row Caulker hasn't had one, whilst we have Dembele and Lloris yet don't have Vertonghen and Dempsey.
