With it once again being the international break (somehow), here’s how our players out on loan are faring at their temporary homes to try and keep you from being bored.
NATHAN BISHOP: WYCOMBE WANDERERS
Bishop managed three games for Wycombe Wanderers, keeping one clean sheet in an EFL Cup match, before picking up a long term injury that required surgery. He’s been back on Wearside during his spell on the sidelines but I couldn’t find an exact return date for the goalkeeper. Wycombe sit fifth in the third tier and are within just three points of the top two, with a game in hand over second place Wrexham
MATTY YOUNG: SALFORD CITY
Fellow goalkeeper Matty Young is currently second choice at League Two, behind experienced EFL man Jamie Jones. His appearances have been limited to one game in the EFL Cup against Doncaster Rovers and two matches in the EFL Trophy versus Port Vale and Wrexham. Unfortunately, Salford are out of the League Cup and are mathematically eliminated from the Football League Trophy so additional gametime may be hard to come by for the youngster, they do have one more game against Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s next month before they officially exit the competition though. The Ammies sit 15th in the fourth tier. Young has also been called up for England’s U19s team for the current international break.
OLIVER BAINBRIDGE: KILMARNOCK
19-year-old Bainbridge is spending this season north of the border with Scottish Premiership outfit Kilmarnock and, like Young, is mostly being used as a backup option. He’s managed six games so far, starting three of those. The left back has assisted with keeping one clean sheet, in a Europa Conference League qualifier away to Norwegian outfit Tromsø. Killie are currently in 8th place, two points off of sixth place with a game in hand.
JAY MATETE: BOLTON WANDERERS
Matete’s 14 games for Bolton Wanderers have been a mixture of starts and appearances as a substitute. He’s getting regular game time though regardless, which is what the 23-year-old midfielder really needs from this loan. Progression to the next round of the EFL Trophy, a competition he has regularly started in, is in Bolton’s hands and the FA Cup will be starting soon for lower league sides so there’ll be plenty of opportunities to come yet for him hopefully. So far he has chipped in with one assist in all competitions. The Trotters are 13th in League One, two points off the playoff spots.
BEN MIDDLEMAS: SOUTH SHIELDS (LOAN FINISHED)
Middlemas’ brief loan spell to South Shields has now ended and it was a rather successful one, he played in six matches, starting in four of those, and scored on his debut away to Oxford City. Whilst at Shields he continued to play for the U21s, featuring in the Premier League International Cup and since leaving has captained them once in the Premier League 2. Another loan spell would probably be beneficial in January I feel.
PIERRE EKWAH: SAINT-ÉTIENNE
Ekwah has found regular minutes in the French top flight and has started their last four games in a row and seems to be doing quite well so far. One notable performance came away to Nice where, despite his team losing 8-0, he still was the player who created the most chances in the game. His side sit in 13th, very much in a relegation battle as things stand.
TIMOTHÉE PEMBÉLÉ: LE HAVRE
Another Frenchman loaned out to his home country, Pembélé hasn’t made the impact that Ekwah has at his club. He hasn’t yet made a single appearance for Le Club Doyen but has at least been a part of their matchday squads for their latest four fixtures. Maybe they should give him a runout as they lost all four of those games and sit in 15th place, dangerously close to the danger zone in the top tier.
NECTARIOS TRIANTIS: HIBERNIAN
The Australian has been doing quite well in his second loan spell at Hibernian but his final game before this international break did end on a sour note, he was sent off for a second yellow card in a home match versus Motherwell. Three minutes afterwards the away side took the lead, so he cost his side at least a point. That second yellow did come just four minutes after Dwight Gayle entered the pitch, so do with that information what you will. His other three games saw good performances from him, although he did see yellow cards in two of them (one of those was very harsh against Rangers however) so a bit more discipline may be required moving forward. He’s also continuing to transition from a centre back to a defensive minded midfielder. Hibs are tenth and need some results to avoid falling into a uncomfortable position, then again they are only three points off the top six as well
LUÍS SEMEDO: JUVENTUS NEXT GEN
Semedo has six games under his belt in the third division of Italian football, earning himself an assist in a 1-1 draw with Trapani. He appears to be the favoured forward for his team, as he has started four of those six games, all four of which have been the most recent ones. Juventus U23s are struggling at the moment and are 18th, which is within the relegation play-offs. Let’s hope a goal comes soon for him.
ADAM RICHARDSON: HEBBURN TOWN
In a similar way in which Middlemas was loaned out, Richardson joined Hebburn Town on a month-long loan spell on September 20th. So far, he has started both of his club’s league fixtures whilst on their books, both of which ended in victories and has made an additional appearance in the final round of FA Trophy qualification, which unfortunately ended in a defeat. Hebburn are doing well for themselves and are in third place in the NPL Premier Division (that’s one tier below the National League North). Finishing in the playoffs and winning promotion is a real possibility for them then.
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