Sunderland currently have seven players out on loan: some with the view to a permanent move and some with a view to gaining valuable first team experience, seeking to compete for a place in the Sunderland first team squad in the future. All but one played last weekend. Young American, Lynden Gooch, has been given the chance to impress at Doncaster Rovers, whilst several are playing for the futures away from Wearside and one insists his time is up at the Stadium of Light.
The players currently on loan are:
Lynden Gooch – Doncaster Rovers
Will Buckley – Birmingham City
Liam Bridcutt – Leeds United
Dylan McEvoy – Boston United
Danny Graham – Blackburn Rovers
Emanuele Giaccherini – Bologna
Santiago Vergini – Getafe
20 year old American Lynden Gooch only signed for Doncaster Rovers on Thursday, however he was put straight into the starting line up as Rovers travelled to Fleetwood Town. He posed a constant threat and almost had a dream debut when in the first half he cut in from the left side and unleashed a stunning strike from 30 yards only for the Fleetwood keeper to make a good save, stopping the ball from dipping into the net. The game ended 0-0 with Doncaster remaining mid-table in League One. Sunderland will be keeping a close eye on Gooch who is well thought of by many, not just on Wearside but in America too.
It’s fair to say that Will Buckley had a day to remember on Saturday at St. Andrews, home of Birmingham City. Buckley is currently on loan at City and he started his first game for them as they easily disposed of promotion chasing rivals, Ipswich Town 3-0. Buckley scored the opening goal, could have had at least one more, was involved in the incident that saw Ipswich’s Jonathan Douglas sent off and was a constant threat. Buckley will be looking to kick start his career at Birmingham after seeing his time at Sunderland fail to work.
Liam Bridcutt started for Leeds United as they entertained Championship relegation candidates, Bristol City at Elland Road. A mistake from Bridcutt in his own box should have gifted City the lead but defender Nathan Baker could only shoot straight at the Leeds keeper. Leeds eventually ran out 1-0 winners to extend their unbeaten home run to six games. The win puts them onto 35 points from 28 games and 16th in the table.
Dylan McEvoy recently extended his loan spell with Vanarama National League North side Boston United until the end of the season. He did not feature this weekend as he failed to recover in time from a calf strain that had kept him out of the previous four games. Boston beat Hednesford Town on Saturday 3-1 to keep them in the hunt for promotion. They currently lie third in the table, two points off the top.
Danny Graham began life at Blackburn Rovers in the starting eleven. He started up front alongside Jordan Rhodes, who scored as Rovers were held 1-1 away at struggling Charlton Athletic. With Graham having signed a loan deal at Ewood Park until the end of the season and his Sunderland contract ending then too, it is highly unlikely that Sunderland fans will see Graham wearing the famous red and white stripes again. Few will be disappointed.
A left foot shot into the top corner by Emanuele Giaccherini sent Bologna on their way to a 2-0 victory away at Sassuolo. Bologna’s third away win in a row ended Sassuolo’s unbeaten home record. Unfortunately for any fans of Giaccherini on Wearside, they may have seen the last of him. When asked recently about his future he had this to say, “We’re [Bologna] aiming for more than just escaping the relegation zone. My personal objective is Euro 2016, but that’s still a long way off. The Azzurri shirt is like a second skin for me. My future? I want to win Euro 2016 and stay here at Bologna.”
Santiago Vergini started for Getafe as they faced Granada away from home. Unfortunately for Vergini and Getafe, they headed home after the game disappointed as Granada ran out 3-2 winners. This was Getafe’s first defeat since December 5th 2015 and leaves them 10th in the table.
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