Febian Brandy, Swansea City

Febian Brandy’s loan spell at Swansea City continued in it’s almost farcical fashion with the young striker getting game time, but so little it seems almost ridiculous.

Brandy was an unused substitute for Swansea’s trip to Bristol City in which the teams played out a goalless draw (6/12). The youngster did come off the bench in the following three matches; in the 92nd minute as Swansea drew 2 – 2 with Barnsley (9/12), the 93rd minutes in a 1 – 1 draw at home to Sheffield United and in the 92nd minute in yet another draw, this time 1 – 1 away to Blackpool (20/12).

Swansea hosted Coventry City next with Brandy remaining on the bench for the entire match as Swansea notched up their 7th draw on the trot. Another 0 – 0 (28/12). Brandy was given a little more game time in Swansea’s following tie away to Birmingham coming on at 0 – 0 with 11 minutes to go. Brandy had chances to win the game but was unable to put the game to bed and the game ended 0 – 0 (28/12).

Brandy wasn’t named in Swansea’s squad for the 2 – 0 victory away to Burnley (10/1) and his loan spell came to an end when he was recalled by United on 12/1. Brandy made 14 league appearances for Swansea; all of which off the bench. Unsurprisingly, he scored no goals.

Danny Simpson, Blackburn Rovers

Danny Simpson looks to have failed to impress new Rovers’ boss Sam Allardyce and now looks a bit part player at the club. Dan Clough, a Blackburn Rovers Fan, has written an excellent evaluation of his performance to date which you can find here.

Blackburn kicked off December with a League Cup clash at Old Trafford. Tevez scored 4 (3 really) and United won 5 – 3 (3/12). Simpson was ineligible for the clash and the youngster voiced his disappointment. Perhaps the youngster fancied one last match at Old Trafford, who knows when it will happen again.

Simpson was named on the bench (and stayed there) for Blackburn’s following two fixtures, a 3 – 1 defeat at home to Liverpool (6/12) and a 3 – 0 defeat away to Wigan (13/12).

After 2 months without a win and only 3 wins in 17 league games, Blackburn were staring relagation in the face and Paul Ince was sacked. Sam Allardyce was brought in and Simpson had a second opportunity to stake his claim for a place.

Allardyce’s first game saw Simpson come off the bench in the 85th minute as Blackburn wom 3 – 0 at home to Stoke (20/12). The young right back was then omitted from the squad altogether for Blackburn’s 0 – 0 draw away to Sunderland (26/12) and again as Rovers hosted Manchester City and played out a 2 – 2 draw (28/12).

An FA Cup tie with Blyth Spartans saw Simpson handed his first start under Big Sam but an entirenly new team failed to gel and the team battled to a 1 – 0 victory (5/1). Simpson, like the rest of the Rover’s squad, failed to impress.

Lee Martin, Nottingham Forest

Lee Martin failed to break into the match day squad in December and as a result, his loan wasn’t renewed and expired on 31st December.

Ron-Robert Zieler, Northampton Town

Ron-Robert Zieler was brought in by Nottingham Forest as cover and as such has still not made any appearances for the club. The young goalkeeper has established himself as second choice keeper in his short time at the club having been named in the teams last 5 match day squads.

Zieler is considered a back up player with the Potters and has started their last four matches on the bench. That said, at just 19 years old he is considered to have a very bright future ahead of him as one of Europe’s most promising talents.

I’m sure Ferguson is hoping Zieler will get some first team action under his belt, with Ben Foster and Tomas Kuszczak already vying for places behind Edwin van der Sar. The one month extension could easily become a season loan if the youngster gets his chance.

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.

Zieler joined United in 2005 when he signed from his hometown club – FC Cologne in Germany. The 19 year old is held in high regard at Old Trafford and although the youngster has played for both the academy and the Reserves in his time at Old Trafford, he is yet to make his senior debut. Zeiler did represent Germany in the under 19s European Championship playing every game and helping the team win the competition.

Northampton manager, Stuart Gray said: “He is another young