ToffeeWeb Loanwatch (Updated)

Can't wait for part 2 : Ellis Simms, Lewis Warrington, Niels Nkounkou, Lewis Dobbin, Tyler Onyango. Would be good to see at least one of these young lads having a breakout season and forcing their way into the first team on returning.

Echoing Tony @3, can't wait for the Part 2 on Simms, Warrington, Nkounkou Dobbin & Onyango.

Any chance you might be able to gather anything on Tyrer too? Or am I too greedy? XD

Quick tangent: can't wait the day when Thelwell manages to move all the names mentioned in this Part 1 off our wage bill. The collective sum is just flat-out staggering.

I follow our loanees every season. Just rarely posted regarding them.

Probably would have done the same this season, but since Michael created a thread just for them, I figured "what the hell, why not". Especially with us having a crop of youth with actual 1st-Team potential.

The best part is that, Jarrad aside, every one regardless of if we are looking to dump them or keep them is in regular First-11 rotation at their clubs, including both our keepers.

Brilliant piece of work James. Thanks for the effort.

Harry Tyrer - #1 at Chester FC. Turned 21 a couple days ago. Contract thru June 2025.

He's Chester's first-team keeper, in goal all 28 games (22 league games) thru 7 DEC, playing 2,500+ minutes so far. 12 clean sheets and 9 1-goal games. With luck and health, on track for 50+ games this year at 20-21-years old. Exact reason he went there. Still, Chester plays down at the 6th Level, so continued luck to Harry there and Thewell finds him a League 1 or 2 club next season.

Tyler Onyango - #12 at Burton Albion. Turns 20 in March. Contract thru 2025.

DNP Made the bench vs Portsmouth on 13 SEP.

DNP Made the bench vs Exeter City 17 SEP.

Subbed in at 68' vs Sheffield Wed on 20 SEP.

Subbed in at 90' vs Shrewsbury on 24 SEP.

DNP Made the bench vs Forest Green on 1 OCT.

DNP Made the bench vs Fleetwood on 4 OCT.

DNP Didn't make the bench vs Peterborough on 8 OCT.

DNP Didn't make the bench vs Morecambe on 15 OCT.

Played 90 minutes vs Bradford City on 18 OCT.

Forward pass to teammate starting at :40.

Nice no-look pass to teammate started sequence leading to shot starting at :25.

Excellent defensive play dislodged ball for teammate to grab and score starting at :41

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Subbed out at 68' vs Cheltenham on 22 OCT.

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Played 90 minutes vs Bolton on 25 OCT.

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Played 90 minutes vs Sheffield United on 29 OCT.

Subbed in at 72' vs Needham Market on 5 NOV.

Played 90 minutes vs Charlton on 12 NOV.

Nice pass by Tyler leads to goal starting at 1:10.

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Subbed out at 76' vs Plymouth Argyle on 19 NOV.

Subbed out at 46' vs Tranmere on 22 NOV.

DNP Made the bench vs Chippenham Town on 27 NOV.

Subbed out at 64' vs MK Dons on 3 DEC.

Lost his man in a give-and-go starting at :55.

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Subbed in at 46' vs Derby County on 10 DEC.

At 19, first season out of U-Teams and into League 1. After many DNPs, has worked his way into the first team rotation, which indicates Tyler is putting in the hard work. Has ball-skills. Could be more aggressive on defense, but think that will come as he continues to adjust from kiddie-ball to League 1. So far so good, though. Needs to keep it up and continue improving. Plus, this boy is one gigantic midfielder.

Niels Nkounkou - #37 at Cardiff City. Turned 22 in NOV. Contract thru June 2024.

Subbed in at 67' vs Middlesbrough on 13 SEP.

Subbed out at 46' vs Huddersfield on 17 SEP.

Played 90 minutes vs Burnley on 1 OCT.

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Played 90 minutes vs Blackburn Rovers on 4 OCT.

Nice pass into box for teammate's shot on goal starting at :17.

Caught ball-watching and lost man, then missed tackle on pass that led to shot on goal starting at :49.

Excellent defense-splitting pass into the box began the sequence leading to a goal starting at 1:00.

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Played 90 minutes vs Wigan on 8 OCT.

Nice run and pass sequence leading to assist on Cardiff goal.

Excellent run and pass began sequence leading to goal.

Poor man-marking allows pass for goal starting at 1:14.

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Subbed out at 71' vs Coventry on 15 OCT.

Played 90 minutes vs QPR on 19 OCT.

Played 90 minutes vs Swansea on 23 OCT.

Poor clearance leads to Swansea goal starting at 1:57.

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Subbed out at 46' vs Rotherham on 29 OCT.

Played 90 minutes vs Watford on 2 NOV.

Played 90 minutes vs Sunderland on 5 NOV.

Subbed out at 58' vs Hull City on 8 NOV.

Lost his man who scored goal starting at :13.

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Subbed out at 71' vs Sheffield United on 12 NOV.

Subbed in at 54' vs Aston Villa on 30 NOV.

Fantastic long cross on the deck for onrushing teammate to one-time into the net starting at :54.

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Subbed out at 56' vs Stoke on 10 December.

Chested pass down to foot, then sent a perfect long diagonal pass to teammate running into the box that began a sequence resulting in a goal starting at :26.

Stood off his man allowing shot for goal starting at 1:47.

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A First-11 regular, Niles shows big-league athleticism AND a big-league left foot, better than anyone we have on the left flank in the 1st Team. He's no left-back, though. I would bring him back and play him on the left wing in front of Myklo. Curious to see what the Club does with him this Summer. I say he's earned a shot.

Lewis Warrington - #16 at Fleetwood Town. Turned 20 in October. Contract thru June 2024

Played 90 minutes vs Peterborough on 13 SEP.

Played 90 minutes vs Charlton on 17 SEP.

DNP Didn't make bench vs Carlisle on 20 SEP.

Played 90 minutes vs Barnsley on 1 OCT.

Subbed out at 79' vs Burton on 4 OCT.

Subbed out at 84' vs Portsmouth on 8 OCT.

Pass to teammate started sequence leading to Fleetwood goal starting at :30.

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Subbed out at 86' vs Shrewsbury on 15 OCT.

DNP Didn't make bench vs ManU U-21s on 18 OCT.

DNP Didn't make bench vs Exeter City on 22. Out with groin injury.

Subbed out at 67' vs Forest Green on 25 OCT.

Subbed in at 81' vs Accrington Stanley on 29 OCT.

Played 90 minutes vs Oxford United on 1 NOV.

Pass began sequence leading to Fleetwood goal starting at :10.

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Subbed out at 61' vs Oxford City on 5 NOV.

Subbed out at 86' vs Bristol Rovers on 12 NOV.

Played 90 minutes vs Bolton on 19 NOV.

Played 90 minutes vs Ebbsfleet United 27 NOV.

Fought ball off opponent and sent teammate in for goal. Nice defense into attack starting at :43.

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Played 90 minutes vs Ipswich Town on 2 DEC.

Played 90 minutes vs MK Dons on 10 DEC.

A First-11 regular, Lewis has played both sides of a 2 in front of a back-4, both inside spots as part of a 4 in front of a back 3, and on the right of a 3 in front of a back-4. A fighter with ball skills, I only wonder about his size and athleticism. Not that he gets knocked around, just that it's hard to tell from game highlights. So far so good, though.

Ryan Astley - #5 at Accrington Stanley. Turned 21 in October. Contract thru 2023

Played 90 minutes vs Wycombe on 13 SEP.

Played 90 minutes vs Cheltenham on 17 SEP.

Played 90 minutes vs Salford City on 20 SEP.

Played 90 minutes vs Bristol Rovers on 24 SEP.

Saved keeper error by blocking goal-bound header, kept going and blocked another cross attempt with his face starting at :21.

Good chance to score from a corner. Headed over the bar starting at 1:30.

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Played 90 minutes vs Morecambe on 1 OCT.

Own-goal. Accidentally chipped his keeper starting at :56.

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Played 90 minutes vs Plymouth Argyle on 8 OCT.

Midfield overrun in 0-3 defeat. Astley in there scrambling.

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Played 90 minutes vs Derby County on 15 OCT.

Played 90 minutes vs Liverpool U-21s on 19 OCT.

Scored eventual game-winner header starting at 6:58.

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Played 90 minutes vs Bolton on 22 Oct.

Played 90 minutes vs Peterborough on 25 Oct.

Missed blocking pass to goal-scorer starting at 1:19.

Header saved by keeper starting at 1:55.

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Played 90 minutes vs Fleetwood Town on 29 OCT.

Beaten to loose ball and goal scored starting at :46.

Lost his man for headed goal starting at 1:24.

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Played 90 minutes vs Lincoln City on 1 NOV.

DNP out injured vs Crawley Town on 5 NOV.

DNP out injured vs Sheffield Wed on 12 NOV.

DNP out injured vs Cambridge United on 19 NOV.

DNP out injured vs Grimsby Town on 22 NOV.

DNP out injured vs Barnet on 26 NOV.

Subbed out at 77' vs Oxford United on 3 DEC.

Subbed in for injured teammate on 6 AUG. Finished game, then played every minute of the next 19 games. Going from U-level football to League 1, Ryan has already logged 1900+ minutes for the season. Just turned 21, he's played both CB positions in a back-4 and left and right both in a back-3. Just returned from injury. Some club would do well to sign him next season.

Ryan's not really a Maybe. He's gone the end of the season. The CB position is loaded with contracted veterans, plus Branthwaite in the wings. I put him here because I like him. Plays intelligently and with an edge to his game. Good footballer, too. I wish him luck.

Lewis Dobbin (#18). Derby County. Turns 20 in January. Contract thru June 2025.

Subbed out at 53' vs Lincoln City on 13 SEP.

DNP Didn't make bench vs Wycombe on 17 SEP. Out injured.

Subbed out at 61' vs Cambridge United on 1 OCT.

In behind defense with ball, foiled by keeper's nice sliding tackle starting at :24.

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Subbed out at 60' vs Port Vale on 8 OCT.

Nice work and pass by teammate teed Lewis up for shot. Fired wide of right post.

Pressured keeper into bad pass. Got ball back and sent in cross just past teammate's boot starting at 3:18.

Chance in 6-yard box blocked by defender starting at 6:00.

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Subbed out at 82' vs Accrington Stanley on 15 OCT.

Beautiful long pass sent Dobbins thru on goal. Shot blocked by keeper starting at 7:22.

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Subbed in at 67' vs Man City U-21s on 18 OCT.

Pressured opponent into losing ball and went in free on keeper. Missed entire frame with shot starting at 5:48.

Chested down long pass to teammate, then ran to space for return pass. Teammate shot instead starting at 6:12.

Diving header attempt saved by keeper starting at 7:36.

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Subbed out at 60' vs Ipswich Town on 21 OCT.

Subbed in at 46' vs Exeter City on 25 OCT.

Nutmegged defender and crossed to teammate who missed shot starting at 2:19.

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Subbed out at 67' vs Bristol Rovers on 29 OCT.

Shot blocked by defender starting at 11:31.

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Played 90 minutes vs Morecambe on 1 NOV.

Shook defender and attacked into box. Taken down by 2nd defender for penalty. Teammate had pen blocked by keeper starting at 2:13.

Long run thru defense and shot blocked out for corner starting at 3:10.

Received pass in box, danced thru 2 defenders and bent shot past the right post. Nice bit of skill starting at 5:29.

Nice run and assist on goal starting at 5:45.

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Played 90 minutes vs Torquay United on 6 NOV.

Shot over the bar starting at :02.

Headed over the bar starting at 3:42.

Lead pass up the flank released teammate for run and shot for goal starting at 4:34.

Nice run and shot on goal saved by keeper starting at 7:24.

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Subbed in at 61' vs Liverpool on 9 NOV.

Subbed out at 77' vs MK Dons on 12 NOV.

Took long pass behind defense for shot caught by keeper starting at 1:12.

Nice header for goal called off-side starting at 1:22.

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Subbed out at 70' vs Torquay on 15 NOV.

Takes pass in own half, cuts thru defense and sends pass out to left flank starting sequence leading to Torquay OG for Derby 1-0 lead starting at :23.

Thru pass from teammate sends Lewis in on goal. Shot blocked by keeper starting at 2:50.

Volleys a thunderbolt into the back of the net starting at 7:00. WOW!

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Subbed in at 78' vs Portsmouth on 18 NOV.

Subbed in at 46' vs Newport County on 27 NOV.

Subbed out at 82' vs Sheffield United on 3 DEC.

No video. Commentary: “Dobbin heads Cashin's cross wide at the back post. That was a good chance.”

For sure there's some excitement in his game. No hiding from Dobbin either, he wants the ball. Needs more patience when in on goal because the many clear chances he's squandered should have been in the back of the net. (My guess is that Lewis is still adjusting to the difference between lording it over fellow teens and competing against adult professionals.)

Still, he's played 23 games so far, an integral part of the Derby First-11. His first games were all up the right flank. Now he plays across the pitch, including in the #9 and #10 positions. So far so good and keep improving. And start putting those chances away.

Ellis Simms (#9). Sunderland. Turns 22 in January. Contract thru June 2024

Subbed out at 37' vs Reading with foot injury.

DNP next 7 games. Out injured with stretched or torn foot ligament.

Subbed in at 71' vs Luton Town on 29 OCT.

Subbed in at 46 vs Huddersfield on 2 NOV.

Hold-up play and pass started sequence leading to Sunderland goal starting at 6:54.

Nice give-and-go passes lead to assist on game-killing goal starting at 8:51.

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Subbed out at 73' vs Cardiff City on 5 NOV.

Unfortunately, an example of a theme for Ellis so far at Sunderland starting at 5:10. In the same 12 seconds-long attack, Ellis is open and showing for the ball 3 different times. Doesn't touch it once. Worse, with the Cardiff City defense wide open, no goal scored.

Nkounkou sighting, starting at 8:27. Fights with opponent for loose ball in the defensive box. While still fighting, turns corner, glances up and immediately sends inch-perfect long, diagonal, left-footer to teammate. Our First Team doesn't have a player can do this.

Nkounkou again starting at 9:17. Patience and perfect pass into box for running teammate. Don't see much of that in our First Team, either.

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Subbed out at 85' vs Birmingham on 12 NOV.

Took pass, settled, then right footed into the net starting at :35.

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Played 90 minutes vs Millwall on 3 DEC.

Attempts backheel shot from cross. Beats keeper, but teammate pounces and kicks it in for Sunderland goal.

Accidental thru ball from defender mistake. Ellis gathers, chips keeper with right foot, then knocks it into the back of the net with left foot. A nice goal.

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Subbed out at 89' vs WBA on 12 DEC.

Simms controls same advance twice with his head, then once with a perfect right foot flick over his shoulder in front of a running teammate who should have scored starting at 1:00.

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Simms is the best forward on that team. Easy. His hold-up play with a defender on his back is solid. Naturally, he wants to turn and shoot. At the same time, if he has a teammate running, he's also a good and willing passer.

Too often, though, for teammates with the ball, it's head down, run and shoot. So if you just check his stats and wonder why he isn't scoring more goals, that has something to do with it. Sunderland is one of a dozen clubs in a mid-season logjam for the Championship's playoff spots. So why they're not featuring the best forward on the team is a bit of a head-scratcher.

Anyway, his injury absence aside, Ellis is First-11 with size, pace, and a fine all-round game. He stays healthy, can't think what else he'd have to do to get a shot with our First Team next season. Contractually, his last.

Jarrad Branthwaite (#22). PSV. Turns 21 in June. Contract thru June 2025

Subbed in at 107' vs Monaco; CL 3rd Rnd qualifying w/Agr at 3-3. Battling in the defensive box, making final clearance just before game ending starting at 13:41. Some intro to the big-time.

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DNP Made the bench vs Go Ahead Eagles on 13 AUG.

Subbed in at 79' vs Rangers on 16 AUG.

DNP Made the bench vs Rangers on 24 AUG.

Subbed in at 61' vs Excelsior on 28 AUG.

Mistimed jump on corner. Excelsior player behind him headed ball into goal starting at 5:26.

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Played 90 minutes vs Volendam on 31 AUG.

As last defender, beaten by goal-scorer starting at 2:17.

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DNP Made the bench vs Twente on 3 SEP.

DNP Made the bench vs Bodo Glimt in Europa League on 8 SEP.

DNP Made the bench vs Bodo/Glimt on 8 SEP.

Subbed in at 58' vs RKC Waalwijk on 11 SEP.

Played well.

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Played 90 minutes vs Feyenoord on 18 SEP.

Nice all-around game for Jarrad, including terrific one-touch goal at near-post starting at 3:56.

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Played 90 minutes vs Cambuur on 1 OCT.

Played well in upset defeat. Fellow loanee Joao Virginia excellent for Cambuur in goal.

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DNP Made the bench vs FC Zurich on 6 OCT.

DNP DIdn't make the bench vs Heerenveen on 9 OCT.

DNP Didn't make the bench vs FC Zurich on 13 OCT.

DNP Made the bench vs Utrect on 16 OCT.

DNP Made the bench vs Arsenal on 20 OCT.

DNP Made the bench vs Groningen on 23 OCT.

Subbed out at 81' vs Arsenal on 27 OCT.

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Subbed in at 85' vs NEC on 30 OCT.

DNP Didn't make the bench vs Bodo/Glimt on 3 NOV.

Subbed in at 87' vs Ajax on 6 NOV.

Subbed in at 46 vs AZ Alkmaar on 12 NOV.

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WC-break until 30 DEC.

Some talk about his playing time at PSV leading to him returning. Now scotched. He's staying. I still say it's a good place for him to be and keep working hard for minutes. PSV is a title contender that LOVES attacking, averaging 3 goals a game! Flip side results in frequent defensive challenges; averaging 1.5 goals conceded per game.

I wish he was seeing more playing time at PSV. Still, Jarrad fighting his way into the starting line-up is a part of “learning-his-trade”, too. And who's to say he won't with 20 more league games to go.

Thanks very much for those reports, much appreciated and give yourself a pat on the back for all the work you've obviously put into providing that report, well done.

I've seen Simms a few times, Dobbin as well, but it's Jarrad Branthwaite who caught my eye in that Europa League game when he started against Arsenal. I think he got Man of the Match, or he was close to it, he was very good.

I'm not familiar with PSV's other defenders but I find it strange he's not starting more regularly, although that apparently will change.

Branthwaite is a kid who needs to be playing every week, because he is a very talented boy, and playing every week is definitely the best way to improve.

We should be looking to build our team and squad around talented younger players, and this kid is definitely in the higher bracket imo.

Maybe I'm sticking my neck out because I haven't seen that much of him, but he's 6ft-4in, he's quick and he's composed, so just let the lad go and play because he looks as if he could go very far?

I think Branthwaite is the most talented centre-back we've had at the club since Stones. Very much hope he's given his chance next season.

I think Branthwaite has everything bar experience. Provided we don't do anything daft, we should be converting him into a Premier League centre-back in the next few years. He'll have two very experienced centre-backs to learn from too.

I'm glad he's staying there. As I mentioned, playing his way into PSV's regular rotation is part and parcel of "learning-his-trade". It's a season-long loan he's on. 20 more league games, whatever national tournament they have there, plus Europe. Lots of games until May.

For fun, here. Onyango at Burton Albion. He's slowly worked his way into the first-11 rotation, where so far he remains. Good on him and may it continue. If we'd also offered Jarrad to Burton Albion, I'd bet he'd have gone straight into that starting 11 and stayed there.

Yet, even though he's only a few months older than Tyler, Jarrad's upside is higher at this age. So Thelwell gives him a bigger challenge. PSV. Good again. He's responded well so far. Now let's see him earning more minutes as Tyler has, but in more difficult circumstances than playing for Burton Albion.

Phill, Robert & Tony, if Jarrad is ready next season, assuming everybody stays healthy, I'd expect to see Lampard go with three at the back. Coady and Tarkowski have simply been too good to sit out.

And if Nkounkou is developing as fast as it seems as an attacking left winger, he has to be given every chance to prove he can do what McNeil can't.