A thread for updates on how our players are doing away on loan - I will do my best to update, but feel free to contribute anything you see as well! Loaners: Premier League: Jan Bednarek - Aston Villa Jack Stephens - AFC Bournemouth Ligue 1: Mateusz Lis - Troyes Scottish Premiership: Kazeem Olaigbe - Ross County Championship: Nathan Tella - Burnley Will Smallbone - Stoke City League 1: Dan N'lundulu - Cheltenham Town Kegs Chauke - Exeter City Caleb Watts - Morecambe Thierry Small - Port Vale League 2: Dynel Simeu - Tranmere Rovers National League: Jake Vokins - Woking National League South: Will Tizzard - Chippenham Town
Tella started last night for Burnley - won a penalty with some brilliant control. Reading twitter, the consensus is that he's doing brilliantly. A few comments like "He's too good for the Championship" and "Southampton's attackers must be really good for him not to get a look in."
Great to see him smashing it. I think his defensive work is the reason that Ralph didn’t give him many chances. Ralph seems to prefer more defensively minded wingers. Must admit I was pretty surprised we loaned him out.
I realise it seems remiss when he’s scored goals for Burnley, but I think he’s out there more to work on his finishing and end product. It always struck me that he had all the assets of a good footballer, but struggled to connect cleanly with his shooting.
Watching Will Smallbone in action for Stoke at Reading with the bonus of seeing how Shlong is getting on post Saints... http://www.hesgoal.com/news/Reading vs Stoke City.html
According to BBC live text Shane Long has missed a sitter. Delap hasn't scored in three and a half games now. I recall comments suggesting he should tear the Championship apart. Only three and a half games but it isn't happening yet. Stoke was an odd choice to loan him to by City as they are struggling and potentially not creating much for him. Burnley were linked and you would think are far closer to how City want to try and play (and likely to be controlling more games and creating more chances)
From gauging twitter, Caleb Watts has been playing well in the time he's been given at Morecambe. Chauke and Small yet to really find their way into the starting XI, but they're young and loans can take their time to establish themselves.
Smallbone playing alongside Delap regularly at Stoke. Team are **** so neither one really shining. Stoke fans on their forum described Smallbone as: “An utterly pointless, neat little player. I don’t get it at all.”
Thierry Small not even making the bench at Port Vale. Just 45 minutes of league action so far. Considering this was a lad (aged 17), leaving Everton and expecting first team football with us last season, maybe it might bring him back to earth a little.
I read this as the lone watch thread being an overseas Saint. It's well past 6pm here and the second substantial gin just slipped down.