U21 Loan Watch

[Iron Duke]

I don’t know about you, but I love it when a player makes it through the ranks to become a first team regular. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen often these days. This is a shame because giving young players a chance is an area where we could have an edge over the traditional top 6.

The current crop give me some cause for optimism, having won the FA Youth Cup and U18 League South a couple of seasons back. Maybe two or three can make it. No fewer than eight U21 players have gone out on a season loan to lower league clubs. Meanwhile, Casey, Scarles and Orford remain at the club. Hopefully, they will get a few minutes on the pitch, but I’m not holding my breath. Mubama had a few chances last season but mostly disappointed with his lack of technique. Inexplicably, he has now joined Man City to give Haaland competition.

So, to the eight who are currently out on loan. How are they getting on?

1. Callum Marshall - Huddersfield (League One). After a disappointing loan spell at West Brom last season, Marshall has dropped down to League One. So far, he has done quite well and already found the net. Yesterday, he played for 67 minutes before being replaced.

2. George Earthy - Bristol City (Championship). A lot of great things expected of Earthy. He didn’t make the squad yesterday. Is he injured?

3. Michael Forbes - Bristol Rovers (League One). Did not make the squad.

4. Freddie Potts - Portsmouth (Championship). Player of the season at Wycombe last year, but unused sub yesterday.

5. Krisztian Hegyi - Motherwell (Scottish Premier). Unused sub.

6. Patrick Kelly - Doncaster (League Two). Came on in the 78th minute.

7. Levi Laing - Cheltenham (League Two). Unused sub.

8. Gideon Kodua - Wycombe (League One). Came on in the 88th minute.

I make that 81 minutes of football between 8 players yesterday. Early days but a bit worrying. I’ll keep this updated throughout the season (if I can be bothered).

[Fauxstralian]

Earthy still unavailable for Bristol City with an ankle injury

[Iron Duke]

Potts played an hour for Pompey today. They took him off protecting a 1-0 lead at Burnley and proceeded to lose 1-2.

Marshall played 45 minutes for Huddersfield but was binned off at half time.

No one else got any minutes.

[Iron Duke]

Pompey ended up losing 3-0 and Potts didn’t even come on. Coincidence?

[Fauxstralian]

Freddie Potts on the bench again
Portsmouth 1-0 down at h/t v West Brom

[Iron Duke]

Earthy, Forbes, Kodua, Laing and Kelly didn’t make the first team squads this weekend. Earthy is still injured and maybe some of the others were rested after playing internationals.

Heygi was an unused sub again for Motherwell.

Potts might feature today for Portsmouth at home to West Brom.

Marshall had better luck. He played 69 minutes for Huddersfield in a 4-0 win at Bolton, and assisted the first goal, making way after the third goal.

[Iron Duke]

C&P from the official website. Not surprisingly, they put a more positive spin on things:

West Ham United’s young loanees Callum Marshall, Gideon Kodua, Patrick Kelly and Mason Terry were in action at the weekend.The Hammers' EFL Championship loanees, George Earthy and Freddie Potts did not feature for their respective teams. While Earthy continued his recovery from an ankle issue during Bristol City's defeat against Derby County, Potts remained on the bench as Portsmouth fell to league leaders Sunderland at Fratton Park.Before departing for international duty with Northern Ireland, Callum Marshall made his second League One start for Huddersfield Town in a Yorkshire derby against Rotherham United.The forward was heavily involved, coming close to scoring on multiple occasions and creating several chances for his teammates. With 20 minutes remaining, Marshall was replaced by Danny Ward, who was shown a red card almost immediately after an aerial challenge on Jamie McCart. Despite taking the lead shortly after, Huddersfield were unable to hold on as Rotherham capitalised on their numerical advantage to secure a 2-1 victory.Gideon Kodua, who started last midweek for Wycombe Wanderers in their EFL Cup win away to Swansea City, was introduced in the last few minutes as the Chairboys secured a point from a 2-2 draw away at Blackpool.In League Two, Patrick Kelly came off the bench in the second half to help Doncaster Rovers record their first away win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Port Vale. The result moved Rovers into the Play-Off places, with three wins from their last four matches.

[Django]

I live in Bristol and go to city a fair bit so looking forward to seeing more of Earthy. Was at the Coventry game. He took at knock virtually as soon as came on and was hobbling around for 15 mins. They had no more subs so couldn’t take him off . Still had some nice touches despite hardly being able to walk. Should be back after international break. I think he’ll be a starter soon as they lack a bit creativity in final third.

[Iron Duke]

Thanks Sven.

 I was surprised to not see Earthy’s name on the team sheet so thought he might be injured. Hopefully nothing serious.

As you say, Potts only just joined Portsmouth. Hopefully he can become a regular.

[Fauxstralian]

Earthy had some ankle swelling following a late challenge from a Coventry player last Saturday 
Staying with Bristol for treatment but not thought serious

Potts only just arrived but you’d hope he would be in soon especially as they lost at home to Sunderland yesterday 

[claypole]

Good work Duke