Loan Watch Week 4 – What are Spearing et al up to?

Jay Spearing (Leicester City) – Spearing started for the Foxes once again as Leicester City beat Preston North End 1-0 at Deepdale. Spearing, along with central midfield partner Andy King, controlled the midfield for most of the match, and the majority of the chances fell to the away side as they pressed for a victory that would secure a play-off place. Attempts by Bruno Berner, Lloyd Dyer, former Liverpool youth player Jack Hobbs and Paul Gallagher all were kept out by the Preston defence and the sides went in 0-0 at half-time. The second half started off much like the first finished and early on in form striker Martyn Waghorn could have put the Foxes into the lead but blasted over from close range before Everton loanee James Vaughan also had a chance to score. It was Spearing’s midfield team-mate Andy King who opened the scoring for Leicester though on 63 minutes. Minutes before, King had fired over from long range, but with his second sighter, he made Preston pay, riding a challenge before planting his shot wide of the keeper into the back of the net. It was enough to seal victory for the Foxes and ensures them of a Play-Off position. Spearing’s return to Anfield will be delayed as he tries to help Leicester City back into the top flight.

Stephen Darby (Swindon Town) – Darby played right back as the Robins came from a goal down twice to draw 2-2 with Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park. The first half was a pretty drab affair but the game came to life just before half-time as Wycombe had a golden opportunity to score. Midfielder Matt Bloomfield was clean through on goal and despite a last ditch challenge from Stephen Darby, the Wycombe player was calm and duly finished to give Wanderers a 1-0 lead at the break. Swindon got right back into the match early in the second half through Billy Paynter, but they fell behind once again after an initial penalty was saved from Alex Revell, he then managed to score after the resulting clearance was crossed back into the box back into his path, and he made no mistake at the second time of asking. An equaliser from Alan Sheehan set up a grandstand finish, and in the pursuit for an equalise Liverpool loanee Darby was substituted for Kevin Amankwaah but Swindon failed to get the breakthrough. They are now four points behind second placed Leeds with two games to go; they may have to settle for a Play-Off place.

Robbie Threlfall (Bradford City) – Liverpool loanee Threlfall had a poor match as Bradford extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a 1-1 draw at play-off chasing Chesterfield. The young left back was at fault for Chesterfield’s goal in the second half as he passed straight to Chesterfield player Phil Picken to inadvertently set up an attack for the home side. The mistake meant that the Chesterfield were running at the Bradford backline and with Threlfall out of position in the opposite half, Adam Rundle passed to winger Ishmel Demontagnac on the empty right flank who passed Bantams defender Steve Williams before slotting casually passed keeper Jon McLoughlin in the Bradford goal. Threlfall struggled against Cleveland Taylor against Burton Albion a couple of weeks ago and Chesterfield had obviously taken note. They focused their passing to their right hand side and exposed Threlfall’s weaknesses. To the relief of the left back, Gareth Evans got the Bantams back into the match despite being down to ten men, but this performance will give Threlfall a lot to think about.

Nathan Eccleston did not play this week and Krisztian Nemeth is due to play tomorrow night for AEK Athens.

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