Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray)
The Nigerian is back in full training ahead of this weekend’s big clash with Fenerbahce, providing his side with a much-needed boost amidst a difficult run of form. European papers have reported that the winger will be scouted by Bayern Munich at the game.
Nikola Vlasic (CSKA Moscow)
Vlasic was on the scoresheet again last weekend, scoring his team’s only goal in a 1-2 loss to Krasnodar. Remember them? Actually, let’s not. The Croat played on the left side of three attacking midfielders behind a striker, and had a decent game himself but the team struggled collectively.
Kevin Mirallas (Fiorentina)
Mirallas was given a chance as a centre-forward for Fiorentina for a full 90 minutes against Torino, but couldn’t make it count and only managed one shot during the whole game, which finished 1-1. He was booked, and was shoved off the ball a couple of times.
The Belgian also made some rather backhanded comments about Everton this week, insisting that the club had changed from a family club when he arrived, to a business buying anyone they could get their hands on when he left.
Sandro Ramírez (Real Sociedad)
Sandro came on to replace David Zurutuza on the left of three attacking midfielders for the last half-hour of a 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid, but couldn’t make it count and was rather ineffective after coming off the bench.
Matthew Pennington (Ipswich Town)
Pennington was on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat to Millwall, despite having a decent first half himself and winning his fair share of aerial duels. He tried to command the back three into shape, but they were unable to deal with a potent Millwall front line away from home in front of new boss Paul Lambert.
Luke Garbutt (Oxford United)
Garbutt missed his team’s 3-0 win against Shrewsbury, after also missing out on the last few weeks through illness. Hopefully he’ll be back in the side this weekend against Scunthorpe.
Antonee Robinson and Callum Connolly (Wigan Athletic)
Antonee Robinson returned to the Wigan side after being rested for the last few weeks, and was tested defensively in a difficult match against Sheffield United which they lost 4-2. He wasn’t able to bomb up and down the left like usual, but made 11 clearances in a tough game.
Callum Connolly also started for Wigan, but was replaced after just under an hour after not his best performance. Darron Gibson was suspended and Lee Evans was our injured, but Connolly was unable to take his chance on a difficult afternoon for both Latics loanees.
Ashley Williams and Cuco Martina (Stoke City)
Williams put in a solid defensive performance in a backs-to-the-wall 0-1 victory over Bristol City, with his partnership with Bruno Martins Indi appearing stronger every week.
Cuco Martina picked up a knock in training so was unable to play in the game, with Tom Edwards stepping in for him.
Muhamed Besic (Middlesbrough)
Besic was tenacious as usual in a 1-1 draw at home to Derby County, with Boro chasing the game for much of the match and the Bosnian chasing down every ball and throwing himself into every challenge. It was a surprise to many when he was substituted for George Saville after just 55 minutes. Just as strangely, both goals in the game were own goals.
Yannick Bolasie (Aston Villa)
Bolasie returned to the Villa squad for the game against Queens Park Rangers after his surprise omission the previous week, and came off the bench to play the final half-hour on the right of midfield in place of Ahmed El-Mohamady.
The winger put in another bright performance off the bench, getting two shots on target away as well as a few crosses. He tried to make things happen but couldn’t prevent a 0-1 defeat.
Joe Williams (Bolton Wanderers)
Much, much better from the midfield man. It’s great to see the young players out on loan come through a tough run of form, and Joe Williams seems to have done just that. His side lost 0-1 to Hull City but the youngster ran around for days, always providing an option and running forward to prove a threat on the counter-attack also. Individually, one of his best performances this season, making 50 passes and winning most of his duels.
– Tom
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