STFC Loanee Review

Simon Cox’s goals aside, it can be strongly argued that Danny Wilson’s work in the loan transfer market prevented Swindon from getting relegated during the 2008/09 campaign. Gordon Greer, Hal Robson-Kanu and Owain Tudur Jones all did their bit. So how has Wilson’s business done thus far this season?

STFC GAMES = All Competitions.



TOPE OBADEYI (age 19/20)

PARENT CLUB: Bolton Wanderers

POSITION: Centre Forward

STFC GAMES: 11+3

STFC GOALS: 2


Bolton Wanderers forward arrived with (brief) Premiership experience having made several appearances as a substitute. Obadeyi also has been capped at youth level for England.

Obadeyi worked hard but failed in his ultimate objective which was to score goals. He did, however, grab two during his stay against Southend United and Colchester United respectively.

Wilson renewed his loan spell until he could no longer do so until emergency loan rules.


BEN HUTCHINSON (age 21/22)

PARENT CLUB: Celtic

POSITION: Centre Forward

STFC GAMES: 10+4 (still with the club)

STFC GOALS: 1


Grabbed the number 9 shirt when he arrived. It was much anticipated that ‘Hutch’ would be the temporary replacement for Simon Cox.

Hutchinson had both top flight experience in both England (with Middlesbrough) and Scotland with his parent club Celtic.

However, it’s unfortunate that it simply hasn’t worked out for Hutch at Swindon so far. It’s even more unfortunate that this is down to questions marks over his attitude during this spell.

He may well work hard in training but he has failed to justify selection on too many occasions. Some fans feel that his attitude suggests that he feels that he’s too good for this level.

Jermain Defoe was shipped out to Bournemouth early in his career but justified his worth by – and this might sound crazy – scoring goals!

An article in FourFourTwo magazine gave an interesting insight on Hutch, Ferry and Revell and Hutch emerged has quite a homesick individual who didn’t want to be here in the first place. This is possibly the hazard of brining in players from massive clubs.

Hutch has one goal to his name and that came in the 3-2 win at Brentford in early October.

Since, he has fallen behind Charlie Austin and Danny Ward in the pecking order.


SIMON FERRY (age 21)

PARENT CLUB: Celtic

POSITION: Central Midfielder

STFC GAMES: 21 (still with the club)

STFC GOALS: 1

By far, Wilson’s best signing in the loan market so far. Simon Ferry arrived with commitment to the cause which is probably why he has stood out so much since joining.

Ferry has the right attitude of a player who wants to remain in the professional game. Perhaps this is down to the fact that he’s endured a frustrating amount of time out with an injury or because that he just enjoys being a part of first team football?

His partnership with Jonathan Douglas has been influential in the clubs rise in the last six months. He’s got a lot to offer and one would certainly hope that Ferry will sign a permanant deal in the future with Swindon Town.

A few more goals might be nice though!


ALAN SHEEHAN (age 23)

PARENT CLUB: Leeds United

POSITION: Left Back

STFC GAMES: 7 (still with the club)

STFC GOALS: 0

So far so good from the Irishman who is on loan from Leeds United. Wilson finally got his man after missing out on him earlier in the season to Oldham Athletic.

He has impressed many fans and some hope that he will stay on a permanent basis and fill the left back role which is considered one of our weakest positions.

With Simon Grayson giving Sheehan permission to play for Town in the F.A. Cup would suggest that agreeing a full-time deal might not be out of the question.


ALEX REVELL (age 26)

PARENT CLUB: Southend United

POSITION: Centre Forward

STFC GAMES: 9+3 (still with the club)

STFC GOALS: 2

I have to be honest, I was very surprised when it was announced that Danny Wilson had brought the 26 year old to the club.

With Southend reportedly in financial trouble at the time I assumed this was Wilson exploiting this and bringing in an extra body.

Revell has never been a prolific goalscorer and at the time we were in desperate need for just that! He scored both of his goals (so far) in the 3-2 win over Brentford and hasn’t played a minute of football for over a month (Huddersfield as a sub).

If his signing was surprising then the idea of Wilson keeping him beyond this loan spell will be even more surprising!

Southend appeared to burn bridges with Revell when he signed for Swindon so it’ll be interesting to see what happens next for him.


DANNY WARD (age 17/18)

PARENT CLUB: Bolton Wanderers

POSITION: Centre Forward

STFC GAMES: 1+4 (still with the club)

STFC GOALS: 1

Time will tell on young Wardy. With Billy Paynter and Charlie Austin currently on fine form, Ward has found it difficult to break his way into the first team beyond the odd minute as a sub.

However, when he did get extra time of the pitch he scored! The game killing 3rd against Yeovil Town. He also performed well in the loss at Fulham in the cup.

Many fans feel that Ward is worth keeping on loan for a longer period since replacing Simon Revell and Ben Hutchinson as Danny Wilson’s ‘third striker’.

VITAL SWINDON’s LOAN RANKINGS

01. Simon Ferry
02. Alan Sheehan
03. Tope Obadeyi
04. Danny Ward
05. Alex Revell
06. Ben Hutchinson

I actually feel that Hutch is better than Revell but the Southend man has more goals and has applied more endeavour than the Celtic forward.

DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THESE RAMBLINGS? MAKE YOUR OPINION KNOWN BY LEAVING COMMENTS BELOW!


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