End of Season Loanee Review

As I was collecting information for my weekly Fighting Cock Podcast youth update, I put out a call for club-specific info about our loanees. The responses were nuggets of gold, so I decided to form a blog from the bulk of them. And so, without further ado…

DeAndre Yedlin – Sunderland (Premier League)

@WindyCOYS Good player. Very direct whilst attacking but poor final ball. Getting better defensively as well

— Jamei (@safcjamie_) May 2, 2016

@LCD_Boxing @WindyCOYS …Newcastle's equaliser in the derby game summed him up. All in all not good enough. 4/10

— Kevin Wheatley (@Wheats1988) May 2, 2016

Grant Ward – Rotherham United (Championship)

Or should I say ‘double award winner’ Grant Ward?

WINNER:Congratulations to Grant Ward who has won the Young Player of the Year award, sponsored by Complete Utilities pic.twitter.com/BDYljH3AXb

— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) April 30, 2016

WINNER: Grant Ward's second award of the night. He wins the Goal of the Season award for the goal v Burnley. #rufc pic.twitter.com/Y4WURRjiw9

— Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) April 30, 2016

@WindyCOYS Great player gives it 110% every game hes got bags of pace and skill but i think he needs to go bk to progress further ? gutted

— Anthony Woodhead (@EGGMAN8383) May 2, 2016

Paul Davis of the Sheffield Star sent me this fantastic run-down:

There are flaws in Grant Ward’s game … but not many.

The midfield youngster who celebrated his 21st birthday during his season-long loan at AESSEAL New York Stadium was a key figure in Rotherham United’s successful fight for Championship survival.

He found himself out of favour early in his stay during the reign of Steve Evans, but his pace and direct running earned the admiration of successor Neil Redfearn who picked him for virtually every game.

“He gets you up the pitch. Very quickly,” Redfearn said.

Neil Warnock duly replaced Redfearn and Ward’s dynamism and workrate quickly won over the veteran boss.

Ward’s final ball still needs working on, while learning to give a quick, easy pass would add to his armoury.

But, in terms of attacking threat on the right flank, he was up there all season with the best in the division.

He was given a central role at times but produced his best performances out wide where he was always bold enough to take on his man and quick enough to usually leave him for dead.

He also came up with the Millers’ goal of the season, a thunderous 30-yard effort in front of the Sky cameras against Burnley.

Grant Ward. Honorary Miller. Rotherham fans are very sorry to see him go.

Dominic Ball – Rangers (Scottish Championship)

From @IbroxBuzz:

His best position is DM, loves a tackle, quite physical. His use of the ball and general footballing mind seem to be his best attributes. At centre back he really suits our style of play due to composure. For a young boy he’s very vocal, can tell he’s come from an academy with high standards, talking more experienced pros through games and his media skills are top class. Would 100% take him back in a heartbeat, definitely has a future in the game.

And from Jason from Rangers Report:

Warburton always seemed to rely on Ball whenever a big match came around, not so much in defence but as a holding midfielder. Always came through with solid performances. Did I see anything that screams – “here’s a future EPL player”? No. But I also didn’t see anything that showed that he couldn’t play at that level. Given his role (& the way Rangers dominated) he wasn’t under much pressure defensively. As much as I’d love to see him back at Ibrox – he’d probably be better suited playing going on loan with an English Championship side to better evaluate his future value for Spurs.

Thanks to those gentlemen for the terrific insight!

@WindyCOYS @TheGersReport Consistently performed well at both central defence and especially in the definitive midfield position

— Jack Cranmer (@JackCranmer72) May 2, 2016

@WindyCOYS @TheGersReport very good sitting just infront of defence but can play CM and CB also. calm, strong and commanding on the ball

— Calum (@CalumMorris1) May 2, 2016

@WindyCOYS @TheGersReport Mostly played infront of our defence in the tougher games, solid consistent performer & comfortable in possession

— Alzo (@Alzo82) May 2, 2016

@WindyCOYS very comfortable in possession, handled the old firm very well and has rarely put a foot wrong all season. Big future ahead.

— Stevie Renfrew (@Steviee_RFC) May 2, 2016

@WindyCOYS @Debaser92 @JohnnyUtah100 not going to be ready for Spurs next year but most Rangers fans would be happy to have him back on loan

— Euan Taylor (@euangtaylor) May 2, 2016

@WindyCOYS Content on the ball with the odd hiccup. Positioning needs work but there is potential there. Not sure he'll make it at EPL level

— David Peat (@DavidPeat1) May 2, 2016

@WindyCOYS @TheGersReport very comfortable on the ball. Reads the game well. Biggest compliment I can pay Dom is I hope We can sign him

— Wilf Marshall (@Wilf1872) May 2, 2016

@WindyCOYS strong, composed, talented young footballer. Needs to work on his decision making but has all the attributes to cut it at Spurs.

— Fahdy (@Fahdy89) May 2, 2016

Federico Fazio – Sevilla (La Liga)

lol

Alex Pritchard – West Bromwich Albion (Premier League)

@WindyCOYS Alex is everything that the Pulisasorus does not like in a player young, creative & on loan entirely predictable feel for him

— Ross Wood (@Standaman60) May 2, 2016

@WindyCOYS We needed cover for Morrison and we didn't want to sign a perm replacement. Someone would have pushed Pulis into it I guess.(1/2)

— Ross Wood (@Standaman60) May 2, 2016

@WindyCOYS We have seen the odd glimpse but hardly anything also he's been injured but I doubt if the Pulis would have played him (2/2)

— Ross Wood (@Standaman60) May 2, 2016

@WindyCOYS yeah it is he came on at Newcastle for 10 mins did more than the others put together

— Darren Hackett (@DarrenHackett75) May 2, 2016

So, I started with the players who finished the season still on loan. And I wanted to get this out while it was current… but I will revisit this and get something together for the rest of this season’s loanees:

Kenny McEvoy – Stevenage, York City (League Two) NB: now joined York permanently.
Shaq Coulthirst – Wigan (League One)
Harry Voss – Stevenage (League Two)
Christian Maghoma – Yeovil Town (League Two)
Nathan Oduwa – Rangers (Scottish Championship), Colchester United (League One)
Connor Ogilvie – Stevenage (League Two)
Ryan Loft – Braintree Town (National League)

A final thought – Spurs have very clearly changed their loan policy over the past few years, with numbers dropping off significantly from around 30 loan deals eight years ago, to roughly a third of that now – see The Spurs Report’s piece on this for more detailed information. Loans seem to be used for specific reasons now – 1. sink or swim (Oduwa), 2. try before you buy (McEvoy) , or 3. too good an opportunity to turn down (Ward). A fourth category might be ‘to test the player’s temperament’. It will be fascinating to see how this is developed next season too.