Sandro Ramirez (Real Sociedad)
Sandro was out of the squad for his side’s surprise 2-0 victory over Real Madrid, and Marco Silva this week told the Liverpool Echo that the forward won’t be recalled from his loan spell despite Everton’s striker problems this January.
Matthew Pennington (Ipswich Town)
Not a great week for the centre-half. He started in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Accrington Stanley, and was a little lousy in possession as well as weak defensively, despite some solid form in recent weeks. He was one of the culprits of Stanley’s goal, when he was beaten to a header. Hopefully it was just a blip, though.
Luke Garbutt (Oxford United)
Garbutt was brought on for the final fifteen minutes of Oxford’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Brentford, but couldn’t make a difference in that time. He got a start against former club Cheltenham Town in a 1-1 Football League Trophy draw, and had a good shot which narrowly missed from outside the box. Nearly.
Callum Connolly (Wigan Athletic)
Connolly couldn’t find his place in the 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup, and was booked before being brought off on 66 minutes despite an 89% passing accuracy from 26 passes. Antonee Robinson’s recovery from ankle surgery continues.
Ashley Williams and Cuco Martina (Stoke City)
The 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town wasn’t Williams’ best performance this season defensively, but he did manage a decent chance to score early on. Martina was left on the bench with Tom Edwards preferred. Manager Gary Rowett has been sacked this week with Stoke sitting 14th in the Championship, and former-Luton Town manager Nathan Jones takes the reigns.
Muhamed Besic (Middlesbrough)
The Bosnian was rested for his side’s 5-0 FA Cup win over Peterborough.
Yannick Bolasie (Aston Villa)
Bolasie was also rested, with his side losing 3-0 to Swansea City. He has had some positivity this week, though, after convincing his mate Tammy Abraham to stay on loan at the club from Chelsea amidst a new loan offer from Wolves.
Joe Williams (Bolton Wanderers)
All the news from Williams this week has been off the pitch, as before he picked up a thigh injury which may keep him out for a month, Bristol City reportedly had a £1 million bid accepted by Everton for the midfielder. The injury apparently put the move on hold, however, according to some reports in Bolton. The Liverpool Echo contradicted these reports, however, stating that Everton would not be considering any bids for Williams and that Marco Silva planned to introduce him to the first team in the coming months. The latter news is from a closer source to the club, so it looks like Williams does have a future in royal blue. Hopefully not Ashley, though.
Kieron Dowell (Sheffield United)
Dowell showed moments of class on his Blades debut, particularly a lovely turn which sent one Barnet player for a sausage roll, but he tired late on as his side fell out of the FA Cup 1-0. He played in a three-man central midfield on this occasion, often looking to play further forward than the other two. Dowell was given the man-of-the-match award by Doors Deals.
Mason Holgate (West Bromwich Albion)
It seems strange including this fella in my loan report. Playing as number 68, Holgate started the game at right-back, which may have to be where he’ll continue for a while after a strong debut both defensively and going forward. He had an early moment against Will Grigg before wising up to the man-on-fire, and proved resolute for the remainder of the game as well as twice going close to scoring himself. He went on a great run for one of the chances just before half-time – could this be his new long-term position following this loan spell? Too early to say at the minute.
Shayne Lavery (Falkirk)
The ‘ginger Wayne Rooney’ made his debut in second-half stoppage time off the bench in the 1-0 victory over Ayr United.
Henry Onyekuru, Nikola Vlasic, and Kevin Mirallas still all have their feet up for the Winter break. Vlasic has kept his moving, however, posting a video showing some impressive fast-footwork to keep himself in shape. Take a look, and maybe even have a go at it yourself!
– @TomClarke40
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