The penultimate loan round up of the year. Where does the time go and more importantly why do I always think I’ve forgotten somebody?
April is a distant memory, we find ourselves in May (does she know?) so how are our boys doing with less than a handful of games remaining?
Well read on and I’ll tell thee.
Aaron Tshibola:
23-year-old Tshibola headed out to League One MK Dons before the first ball of 2017/18 was kicked and during his time at Stadium: MK he took in 15 starting appearances with a further showing from the substitutes bench. He scored his only goal for the club in their EFL Trophy clash with Brighton’s Under 23 side.
His loan was cut short two weeks into the month of November and January saw a move to Scottish side Kilmarnock. He made his debut for them as a substitute in the victory over Celtic and he has seven starting appearances to his name so far. He has a further four from the bench and he opened his goal account at the club in their game against Brora Rangers in February.
Hopefully, he won’t return.
Carles Gil:
25-year-old Gil headed back to Deportivo La Coruna over the summer for a second season-long loan spell, but this time it was reported there is a buy clause inserted into the deal that comes into force this summer. Having recovered from a reasonably long-term injury, he returned to full fitness and action in November and now has eleven appearances to his name this campaign. He hasn’t however featured since March 17 but I don’t know if that’s another injury or purely form related.
Hopefully, he won’t return.
Pierluigi Gollini:
23-year-old goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini is now in his second season of a loan out with Atalanta after an apparent 18-month spell was agreed back in January 2017. So far in 2017/18, he has made 12 appearances for the side, keeping four clean sheets. The man who seemed to insist he had an Italian goalkeeping coach in England doesn’t seem to have done that well under an Italian goalkeeping coach in Italy.
Hopefully, he won’t return.
Gary Gardner:
25-year-old Gary Gardner headed out for a spell at Oakwell and Barnsley at the end of August. So far he has made 28 starting appearances for them with a further showing from the bench. He’s scored two goals in this spell. He seems to be finding his potential, but you have to think with injury hell it is time for him to get himself going at pastures new – however much of a disappointment that feels.
Harry McKirdy:
21-year-old youngster Harry McKirdy headed out to League Two side Crewe Alexandra in late January, making his debut and scoring a goal in their game against Wycombe Wanderers as a substitute. Since then he’s made a further five starting appearances, with a total of 11 showings from the bench.
He now has three goals to his name.
Ritchie De Laet:
Fullback Ritchie de Laet headed back to Belgium in late January, making a move to Royal Antwerp. He has already made nine starting appearances for them with an additional showing from the bench.
Tommy Elphick:
Tommy Elphick got his wish for greater game time with a late January switch to Reading – well sort of. He made his debut against Burton Albion as a substitute and made his first start in their game against Millwall in early February. Unfortunately, he suffered a significant injury and they are the only two appearances he’s made for the Royals.
Easah Suliman:
Eash Suliman made a late deadline move out to Grimsby Town and he finally debuted for them, starting the game against Port Vale in early March but he’s yet to appear since. His second appearance came last month in their one-nil victory over Swindon but it has been one of those loan spells sadly that hasn’t been fruitful and he’s seen more action for our Under 23s as per the terms of the loan. Our Under 23s finished second in the table. We are through to the Play-Off Final and the Premier League Cup Final so I guess it’s Grimsby loss.
And that’s your lot unless I’ve forgotten somebody again which has to be a caveat as people know me.
One more update and that’s the lot for the year folks.
