With a number of players out on loan and one third of the season already played, here is a round-up of the performances of Cardiff City’s loanees so far.
Cardiff City Loan Watch — Strikers
Eoin Doyle – Preston North End
After his deadline day move to Preston North End, Doyle has struggled in a team faltering at the bottom of the Championship. He has scored just one goal in nine appearances, which came in the 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest on 3rd November.
Doyle is likely to feature for Cardiff City in the future and after bagging five goals at the end of last term for the Bluebirds he has proven he can cut it at this level. He needs to improve his goal scoring record in a team struggling in front of goal to be sure of a first team return for the Bluebirds.
Etien Velikonja – Lierse S.K.
Failing to make an impact at Cardiff City in his three years at the club, Velikonja has found great success at Belgian Pro-League club Lierse S.K, scoring ten league goals in just 11 appearances this season.
Perhaps he could feature again for Cardiff City after his reported £3.6 million transfer in 2011, with the club likely to want a return for his inflated transfer fee.
Adam Le Fondre – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Le Fondre has never settled in the Cardiff City line-up since his transfer from Reading at the beginning of the 2014-2015 season and he was soon shipped out to Bolton Wanderers on loan for the second half of last season, where he managed to hit some form, scoring eight goals in 17 appearances to help the Trotters avoid relegation to League One.
After joining Wolves this season, his form has varied and he has managed just three goals in 15 appearances. He, like the rest of the Wolves squad, has struggled to keep any consistency thus far; the team are winning and losing by heavy margins.
Rhys Healey – Dundee
An exciting prospect for the future at Cardiff City, he managed to score his first league goal for Dundee this term after five appearances. It is difficult to remember the last time a youth striker prospered at the Bluebirds via the Academy, but hopefully Healey has what it takes to make it in the first team in the coming years.
Alex Revell – Wigan Athletic
A transfer that was much needed for both Revell and Cardiff City. Despite his consistent input of effort, his contributions to matches have been limited and at his age and ability, League One is better suited for the former Rotherham man.
After only one appearance after his recent move, it is difficult to judge how he is performing thus far, but Wigan will have a man who gives 100% every match, something needed to achieve promotion from one of the most difficult divisions in the English football pyramid.
Cardiff City: Loan Watch – Midfielders
Kadeem Harris – Barnsley
Barnsley have been on a dire run of form lately with eight consecutive league defeats and an FA Cup humiliation after being knocked out of the first round by National League side Altrincham.
Kadeem Harris has managed just one league start with 14 substitute appearances and no goals to his name. He looked as though he may have broken into the first team at Cardiff City this year but his current form for Barnsley may prove that another youth prospect could fail to meet his potential.
Tom Adeyemi – Leeds United
Adeyemi never really settled during his first season, despite his form for former club Birmingham City which attracted the Bluebirds to make an approach.
After being another Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signing shipped out on loan, he has been an integral part of a struggling Leeds United team, who have recently began to hit form under new boss Steve Evans. He has managed to net one goal from midfield in the 2-1 win against Derby County.
Filip Kiss – FK Haugesund
Filip Kiss was used regularly as a substitute under Malky Mackay and had the spark that fans enjoy seeing in young, unknown players. Again, after all the turmoil surrounding the club he failed to nail down a place in the first team squad with two loan spells at Ross County in the Scottish Premier League, where he scored six goals in his first spell.
After joining Norwegian side Haugesund he hasn’t had a prolific season scoring just nine appearances and no goals. It is likely that Kiss will move on to another club permanently in either January or the summer.
Tommy O’Sullivan – Newport County
Tommy O’Sullivan has been a player on the brink of reaching the first team squad for the Bluebirds and has a Capital One Cup appearance to his name. He joined Newport County who were struggling at the time, but he has been an important first team regular to assist in their recent revival. He has scored one goal in five appearances which came in the Severn-side derby against Bristol Rovers.
Cardiff City: Loan Watch – Defenders
Adedeji Oshilaja – Gillingham
Gillingham currently sit at the top of League One after an unexpectedly strong start to the campaign. Oshilaja started regularly in the first month, but was dropped to the substitutes’ bench for September and October. He has returned to the starting line-up recently and has two goals in nine appearances from the heart of the Gills defence.
Jazzi Barnum-Bobb – Newport County
Barnum-Bobb joined Newport County at the same time as Tommy O’Sullivan. He has been a regular in the County defence since his arrival on loan from the Bluebirds and has six appearances to his name.
Another prospect the Bluebirds will be hoping can reach his potential, to push the current Cardiff City first team regulars.
Cardiff City: Loan Watch – Goalkeepers
Ben Wilson – AFC Wimbledon
After joining AFC Wimbledon on loan he has mainly featured as a substitute with just three league appearances and two cup appearances. With David Marshall and Simon Moore the first choice and back up respectively, it is difficult to see how Wilson can dislodge either at present. However, it is clear he has great ability and showing that ability at AFC Wimbledon will surely serve as a reminder to Russell Slade as to what he has to offer.
Joe Lewis — Fulham
The same scenario for Joe Lewis, dislodging Marshall and Moore is difficult at present so the former Peterborough United first-choice goalkeeper joined Fulham to try to dislodge Andy Lonergan as the number one goalkeeper.
His last appearance was the 5-2 defeat at home to Birmingham City. In six appearances he has managed one clean sheet against Middlesbrough.
