Loan Watch: 1/12/08 – 14/1/09 (part 1)

15 January 09 by Bill

Part 2 can be found here.

Fraizer Campbell, Tottenham

Fraizer Campbell has played most of his football coming off the bench for Spurs recently. Campbell did start in Tottenham’s Carling Cup clash with Watford (3/12) but was substituted after 65 minutes. His replacement, Darren Bent scored the decisive goal 11 minutes later as Tottenham won 2 – 1. Campbell wasn’t named in the squad for Tottenham’s 2 – 0 away victory over West Ham (8/12) and was ineligible for the nil nil draw at home to Manchester United (13/12). Campbell came off the bench in the 64th minute and came close to winning the game twice late on but it was Damien Duff who snatched an injury time winner to give the home side the win. Newcastle 2 – 1 Tottenham (21/12). Fraizer Campbell came on in the 58th minute but was unable to prevent a stalemate as Tottenham drew nil nil at home to Fulham (26/12). Just two days later Tottenham lost two nil away to West Brom (28/12) making it six games without a win for Spurs. Tottenham felt hard done to after going down to 10 men with little over half an hour played and then later go behind to a goal despite clear foul on defender Michael Dawson. Campbell was thrown on the 87th minute but it was West Brom who added another in injury time to pile on misery on Harry Redknapp. Tottenham played Wigan (2/1) in the FA Cup with Frazier Campbell replacing an injured Darren Bent after just 26 minutes. Campbell won a penalty in the 52nd minute which led to the game’s opening goal. Tottenham went on to win 3 – 1. Campbell played the full 90 minutes as Tottenham beat Burnley 4 – 1 (6/1) at home in the Carling cup. Campbell had a lively game but failed to find the net. The arrival of Jermaine Defoe the competition for places would be even greater at Spurs. Campbell was named in the squad but never made it off the bench as a last gasp goal for Wigan saw Tottenham slump back into the bottom three.

Craig Cathcart, Plymouth Argyle

Craig Cathcart’s loan deal with Plymouth was due to end at the turn of the year but a deal has been agreed which will see the 19 year old see out the season with the Pilgrims. Cathcart recently told the BBC: “A lot of my defensive work has improved. I’m stronger, and better in the air. I’ve been playing plenty of games and hopefully I can get plenty more games towards the end of the season. I was sent here to get experience and toughen me up and hopefully when I go back to United I’ll get into the squad or thereabouts.”

Cathcart played as Plymouth lost 1 – 0 to Doncaster on 9/12 before taking up a spot on the bench in the following three matches; a 1 – 0 defeat to Birmingham (9/12), a 1 – 1 draw with QPR (13/12) and a 2 – 0 defeat to Barnsley (20/12). Cathcart came off the bench in the Barnsley match at half time after a woeful performance from Plymouth but was unable to prevent a defeat. Cathcart was recalled to the first team for Plymouths 2 – 0 victory over Southampton (29/12) and his performance received special praise from Argyle boss, Paul Sturrock: “I thought Craig was outstanding. We needed that type of centre-back today. He was involved in sweeping up everything. He likes defending, and that is what I like about him.” Cathcart kept his place for Plymouth’s 1 – 0 defeat to Cardiff City (28/12) and the subsequent trip to The Emirates, in which Argyle went down 3 – 1 (3/1).

Tom Heaton, Cardiff City

Unfortunately for Tom Heaton at Cardiff city he has been unable to win his place back from, and made no appearances for Cardiff city in the last seven matches; instead he has had to make do with watching from the bench.