I always think the loan route is a dangerous one to go down especially with our record such as when we were in the championship and we would have 7 loan players in the squad! (even though we could only use 5). But I think it is dangerous to generalize and each loan case should be considered independently: (and here is what I think) Cort: season long loan indicated that he was up for the challenges that lay ahead this season as well as his willingness to be patient (for first team football) suggests he is a team player and understands the success of the club is more important than his own. Personally I don't think anyone should judge Cort's footballing ability as he has not had a run in the first team (although in my opinion he has looked steady when called upon) and if/when he's called upon for a run of games then we can make our minds up - its very important to have strength and depth in our squad especially in key positions, for me Cort provides this although in the summer I expect CP to make at least 1 permanent CB signing. Ephraim: I believe he is a quality player who needed first team football and He/QPR were happy for him to come to us to get it. I don't think we've seen the best of him and if he returns to QPR in January then I fear we wont. Although I don't think we needed to bring him if it opens up the possibility of him joining us for the rest of the campaign then I'm all for it- he's a player (imho) who could make the difference when he is match sharp but as a short term loan (if he goes back in January) then I do feel it was a mistake, Evina, Harriott, Wagstaff could all have covered the LM berth in JJ's absence. Russell: This is the strangest of all the moves for me (although I will admit that CP may have got it right) it just made no sense to me when the deal went through, Hughes was playing very well in the center of the park and Russell couldn't even get into Preston's first team and we were scoring goals for fun at the time. Also Pritchard had done enough to deserve a chance in the team (when he is fit). I assume he will join us permanently in January and he looks like a decent player but I don't think the move was necessary. I think its important to understand that over the course of the season all teams will have ups and downs regardless of personnel and how they are bought to the club (even though we would all prefer to see people commit to the club) and a couple of poorer results should not see us start to panic. Although I don't agree with all of CP's actions so far (I don't think even the most ardent of fans would) I still have faith that his actions are the result of a great deal of deliberation and therefore in him I trust!
CP has rightly received praise for signing players like Kermit and Morro who have been a huge success. But there are quite a few others who don't seem to have his confidence but were also signed by him. Hayes, Pritchard, Alonso, Euell, Evina, Bover, now Hughes plus Harriott who was given a 2-year contract.
FHB most of the players you mention, whilst some lack confidence, would be able to step in if required. Hayes is seemingly a massive confidence player, but if Kermit got injured, Hayes could easily settle into the side without it affecting our results. Euell and Hughes, whilst both being past it, are brilliant players to have as back-up for this level, they'd be first team players for nearly every other side in this division. As for Harriott, Evina and Bover, I think those three are seen more as 'ones for the future', though Evina I think could do a good job in the first team. Pritchard isn't so young so can't really be seen as 'one for the future', but I think his lack of inclusion is probably more to do with CP not wanting to risk playing an inexperienced player in the first 11, though its worth noting he's been on the bench quite a lot. The less said about Alonso the better (though I doubt CP had much of a hand in that particular signing).
I disagree. He is new to full-time League football and that puts him in the same bracket as the "fully grown" youngsters such as Mambo, Bover, Davisson, etc. For him to take this season to develop his full potential is not at all unreasonable. His is not a "now or never" case. He may be 26 in "earth years" but he is only 21 in footballing terms. Those who start later often prolong their careers well into their thirties and his being a smart lad with a university degree suggests he will look after himself. Of course the problem might be that by the time he is ready to hold down a regular place at Div One level, we will hopefully have moved up a level. Whether he can manage another step up remains to be seen, but the same can be said of a few of our present first team. I am confident that Wiggins, Morrison, Hollands, BWP and Kermorgant would be comfortable in the Championship. As for the rest will we have to wait and see if they can cut it.
Eddie, I had considered that and hopefully you're right, and that given the time he spends around the first team (as well as cameo's at the end of games), he will get to grips with the pace of League football. Sadly like you say, by the time he is ready to hold down a place we may be in the Championship, and without meaning to sound too ridiculous, the pace and style of Championship football in comparison to League One may take him by surprise a bit. I think the key problem for Pritchard is that perhaps Powell worries too much about involving a player who up until September had only played non-league football (as opposed to journeymen like Hughes and Russel). Though I would say that with Pritchards attacking style, Hollands will need to stay back and cover a bit more (similar to the start of season when his partner was Stephens), which would really limit the goal threat which Hollands offers us.
The 2 players who have shown they can do a job are Evina and Pritchard: this is not the Premier League it's division 3 or whatever they call it at the moment. I just can't see the logic of signing players if you're not prepared to use them when first-teamers get injured.
I agree FHB, the only loan player who I got excited when we signed this season was Ephraim, and now I don't even rate him that highly. I guess strength in depth is important, but so is team harmony and a decent morale within the club.
We have one of the biggest squads in the Division, how can we not manage with two injuries (Jacko & Stephens, three including Alonso) without having to bring in players on loan?
I think there's an element of asserting our new-found confidence and clout involved in the loan policy, AllHell which in some cases is transcending the logic of actually replace players from within our own ranks. That's the only reason I can think of for Russell joining. Nice header on Saturday, and a great goal-line clearance at Walsall, but overall a pretty average an anonymous player IMO. Hopefully this little showcase can get him a regular slot at Preston under the new management.
It doesn't seem such a big squad if several of the players are not considered good enough and are therefore unlikely to feature.
