Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray)
Onyekuru began his Winter break after last week’s game, which ends on the 15th of January. Just as he was finding some form.
Nikola Vlasic (CSKA Moscow)
Vlasic also has his feet up until March. Lucky get.
Kevin Mirallas (Fiorentina)
Despite bagging a couple of goals up top a few weeks ago, Mirallas was played as a No. 10 for Fiorentina against Genoa in the 0-0 draw. He was given the freedom to roam the midfield, playing pretty well with an 84% passing accuracy of 21 passes and winning seven of his ten duels. He nearly got another goal too, but struck the woodwork. The Belgian was substituted after 83 minutes.
Sandro Ramirez – (Real Sociedad)
Sandro also has his feet up for the Winter break, but he has done for a while on the Real Sociedad bench, in all honesty. He’s back in action this weekend, though. Maybe.
Matthew Pennington (Ipswich Town)
Pennington made five interceptions in the 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough, three of which were crucial, but nearly gave away a penalty in the second half. He often looked to play the long ball, attempting sixteen, and was definitely more comfortable on the ground than in the air.
The right-sided centre-back won 11 duels and made seven clearances on New Year’s Day in the 3-2 loss to Millwall, and had a strong game defensively bar a short back pass which led to one of the goals he conceded.
Luke Garbutt (Oxford United)
Garbutt came off the bench for the last fifteen minutes in the 2-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers, but was given a chance from the start on New Year’s Day against Plymouth Argyle. He unfortunately struggled defensively, and was substituted at half-time with the scoreline at 2-0. Plymouth scored another in the second-half with the game finishing 3-0.
Antonee Robinson and Callum Connolly (Wigan Athletic)
With ‘Jedi’ still out after ankle surgery, Connolly was restricted to a ten-minute cameo in the 2-2 draw with Swansea City and then stayed on the bench for the 3-0 defeat to Sheffield United.
Ashley Williams and Cuco Martina (Stoke City)
It was back to the bench last week for Cuco against Bolton Wanderers, as he was rested for Tom Edwards. Williams played the 0-0 draw and was again solid defensively alongside Ryan Shawcross, and could have grabbed a goal with a cheeky flick.
Both Martina and Williams were booked during the New Year’s Day 2-0 defeat to Bristol City, and Williams wasn’t as solid in this one. He made 43 passes but no interceptions and only one clearance. Cuco played primarily as an attacking full-back, and was often caught out defensively in the second-half after a bright start. He’s always keen.
Muhamed Besic (Middlesbrough)
Besic was accused of ‘sloppiness in possession’ by The Northern Echo in the 2-0 win over Ipswich, but in fact he had a 92% passing accuracy of 47 passes, with six accurate long balls from an attempted seven. If there’s anything Besic has worked on during his time at Boro, passing is surely it.
The Bosnian was booked on New Year’s Day in the 1-1 draw with Derby County, but nearly set up a goal with a cross in the first half and had a 78% passing accuracy from 29 passes. Still not quite sloppiness.
Yannick Bolasie (Aston Villa)
Bolasie was subbed after 68 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Preston, after none of his six crosses were accurate on a frustrating afternoon.
It was back to an impact-sub performance on New Year’s Day, as the winger played the last half-hour of a 2-2 draw with QPR. He had a couple of chances on goal but wasn’t able to make all too much of an impact this time around.
Joe Williams (Bolton Wanderers)
Here’s one who admittedly could have been better in possession. Williams got around the pitch with all the energy we’ve come to expect but could have often used the ball better, with a 71% accuracy from 35 passes and three of nine accurate long balls in the 0-0 draw with Stoke.
Williams was rested on New Year’s Day at Hull, and it showed as his side were beaten 6-0. Crucial!
We look forward to seeing how Kieron Dowell and Mason Holgate get on at Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion respectively, with both sides currently in the top four of the Championship. The pair are still waiting for their debuts which will hopefully come this weekend so we can bring you the news in next week’s Loan Report.
– Tom
About The Author
