Loan Watch: 27/10/08 – 1/12/08

2 December 08 by Bill

Here at Blog United we like to keep you updated with the goings on of our future talent by keeping a close eye on the players on loan. Currently, United have seven players on loan; Fraizer Campbell, Tom Heaton, Craig Cathcart, Danny Simpson, Lee Martin, Febian Brandy and Ron-Robert Zieler. So without further ado here is an update on their progress.

Fraizer Campbell (striker)

Campbell had to watch both Tottenham’s 4 – 4 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates (29/10) and their 2 – 1 home win over Liverpool (1/11) from the bench but did make an appearance in their 4 – 0 win at home to Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Cup, coming off the bench for the last 16 minutes (6/11). Campbell took his place on the bench for Spurs’ next match; a 2 – 1 defeat away top Man City in which Campbell didn’t feature. Campbell‘s third start for the club came in the League Cup at home to Liverpool in which Tottenham ran out 4 – 2 winners (12/11); Campbell scored twice, his first goals for Tottenham. Campbell came off the bench with 20 minutes left as Tottenham suffered their first defeat under Harry Redknapp, going down 2 – 1 away to Fulham (15/11). Campbell scored Tottenham’s only goal. Campbell again came off the bench for Tottenham’s 1 – 1 draw at home to Blackburn (23/11) coming on in the 73rd minute before starting in Tottenham’s 1 – 0 away win over NEC Nijmegen (27/11). Campbell was withdrawn after 82 minutes. Campbell was again involved as Tottenham suffered another home defeat, this time at the hands of Everton, going down 1 – 0 (30/11). Campbell came off the bench with half an hour to go and almost grabbed the equaliser but his shot was deflected just wide.

Tom Heaton (goalkeeper)

Cardiff City loanee, Tom Heaton, started the month off well playing the full ninety minutes in Cardiff’s 2 – 0 home victory over Blackpool (28/10). Heaton also played the full ninety in Cardiff’s second home defeat of the season as they went down 2 – 1 to promotional hopefuls Wolves (1/11). Cardiff were reduced to 9 men in their trip to Loftus Road and suffered another defeat this time losing 1 – 0 to QPR. Heaton played the full match again. Cardiff returned to winning ways at home to Crystal Palace with Heaton in goal as they won 2 – 1 (15/11/08). Heaton started in goal for Cardiff’s 2 – 1 away defeat to Plymouth (22/11) but was forced off for treatment in the 83rd minute. Cardiff have played two further matches since the defeat but unfortunately, Heaton hasn’t managed to win his place back and was an unused substitute in Cardiff’s 2 – 2 draw at home to Reading (25/11) and the 2 – 2 draw away to Swansea (30/11).

Craig Cathcart (defender)

Craig Cathcart continued his run in the first team at Plymouth playing every minute he has been available for selection starting with a 1 – 0 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday (28/10). Cathcart picked up a virus which ruled him out of the teams trip to Sheffield United; Plymouth lost 2 – 0 (1/11). Cathcart returned to the first team in Plymouth’s 2 – 2 home draw with Charlton (8/11) and has been an ever present in the team ever since. Plymouth continued the next 3 game unbeaten making it 4 without defeat starting with victory away to Coventry, 1 – 0 (15/11), victory over Cardiff at home, 2 – 1 (22/11) and holding Southampton to a goalless draw at St Mary’s (25/11). Plymouth’s unbeaten run came to an end when they lost at 2 – 1 at home to Blackpool (29/11).

Danny Simpson (defender)

Danny Simpson continued to be an important first team member at Blackburn despite the clubs poor form. Simpson played the full ninety minutes in Blackburn’s away defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, going down 3 – 2 (29/10). Blackburn were reduced to ten men in the first half in their 2 – 2 draw away to West Brom (1/11). Simpson started the match but was withdrawn at half time. Blackburn’s next match was at home to Chelsea in which they lost 2 – 0 (9/11). Simpson played the entire match and picked up a booking. Blackburn’s only victory of November came in the league cup as they beat Sunderland away 2 – 1, again Simpson played the full match. Three days later, Simpson played the full match as Sunderland travelled to Ewood Park and this time the scores were reversed, Sunderland running out 2 – 1 winners (15/11). Danny Simpson started the following match away to Tottenham but was substituted at half time as Blackburn lost 1 – 0 (23/11). Simpson was relegated to the bench for Blackburn’s 5th defeat in a row and never made it onto the pitch as Blackburn went down 3 – 2 away to Portsmouth (30/11).

Lee Martin (midfielder)

Lee Martin once again struggled to cement his place in Nottingham Forest’s first team being named in the squad but not coming off the bench in Forest’s 2 – 1 away win at Crystal Palace (28/10). Martin was omitted from the squad completely for Forest’s subsequent match; a 1 – 1 draw away to Derby (2/11). Lee returned to the squad for Nottingham Forest’s 1 – 1 draw at home to Birmingham (8/11) coming off the bench for the last 10 minutes. Martin was dropped from the squad for Nottingham Forest’s 2 – 2 draw away to Bristol City (15/11) and made only a brief substitute appearance (coming on in the 75th minute) in the following game when Forest were defeated at home by Norwich City 2 – 1 (22/11). Martin was named in the starting eleven as Forest travelled to Doncaster and played 74 minutes before being withdrawn as the teams played out a nil nil draw (25/11). Martin was again omitted from the squad altogether as Forest beat Burnley 1 – 0 at home (29/11).

Febian Brandy (striker)

Febian Brandy continued playing a bit part in Swansea’s campaign sitting on the bench for Swansea’s 2 – 1 defeat at Wolves (28/10) and their goalless draw away to Doncaster (1/11). On a side note, former Red Ebanks-Blake grabbed both the goals for Wolves ensuring his team victory. Swansea beat Watford 3 – 1 in the league at home (9/11) in match which saw Brandy coming on with just 2 minutes to go. Two days later, Swansea played host to Watford again, this time in the League Cup. Brandy was given the nod and started the match but was withdrawn in the 84th minute as Swansea crashed out of the cup losing 1 – 0 (11/11). Brandy came off the bench in the 91st minute during Swansea’s 3 – 2 win away to Norwich (15/11) and once again in the club’s 3 – 2 defeat at home to Birmingham City (21/11); this time getting 11 minutes. Brandy wasn’t named in the squad for either of Swansea’s two latest matches; a 1 – 1 away draw with Coventry (25/11) and a home 2 – 2 draw against Cardiff (30/11).

Brandy is yet to make a League start for Swansea this season making 10 league appearances all from the bench.

Ron-Robert Zieler (goalkeeper)

Ron-Robert Zieler recently joined Northampton Town (on 27/11) and has yet to feature for the club.