Loan Signings 08/09 Review

So often these days clubs in the lower division are looking to take advantage of the large squads that so many Premier League teams boast. Borrowing young talent or players out of favour with their parent club’s coaching staff is a popular way for managers to find that missing ingredient in their own squad and Simon Davey is certainly no stranger to the loan market, bringing in no less than 7 players on loan in the previous season.

30 year old Scottish winger Gary Teale was brought in for the start of the campaign by Davey to give him alternatives to Martin Devaney and Jamal Campbell-Ryce. His impact was immediate, crossing from the right for a spectacular goal from Brian Howard in the first home game of the season against Coventry City. Teale started again the following week at St. Andrews where the Reds lost 2-0 to Birmingham City. Teale was ineligible to play against parent club Derby County in the next game, where the Reds secured their first points of the Championship with a 2-0 win, so made his third and final appearance for the Tykes coming on as a second half substitute for Mounir El Haimour in the 1-0 defeat at Bloomfield Road.

3 Apps, 0 Points, 0 Goals, 1 Assist

Simon Whaley faired slightly better in a Barnsley shirt, notching up four starts on loan from Preston North End. The pacey 24 year old endured a baptism of fire, making his full debut at home to Sheffield United in the most controversial match of the season and supplied the cross that Kayode Odejayi headed home to make it 2-1. Whaley was involved in a goal in his next appearance in a red shirt, with Campbell-Ryce’s shot hitting the winger on the arm to fool Burnley keeper Jensen, before hitting the back of the net. The Tykes won 3-2. Whaley started in the successive 1-0 defeats to Nottingham Forest and Reading, being substituted in the second half in both games.

4 Apps, 3 Points, 1 Goal, 1 Assist

Blackburn Rovers youngster Maceo Rigters was named in the team of the tournament and bagged the golden boot at 2007 UEFA European Under 21 Championship, netting four goals including a bicycle kick against England en route glory with the Netherlands Under 21’s. Big things were therefore expected of the 24 year old when Simon Davey secured his services on a season long loan in August 2008, but the stocky striker didn’t deliver. In 21 league and cup appearances including 6 starts, the striker failed to score a single goal.

21 Apps, 17 Points, 0 Goals, 0 Assists

At the end of November, Davey swooped for journeyman Jamie Cureton. He penned a 3 month loan deal at Oakwell from Norwich City and his goalscoring record showed promise having picked up the Championship golden boot in 2006/07 with 23 goals for Colchester United. He made his debut as second half substitute in the defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Cureton returned a ratio of 1 goal in 4 for the reds, netting in the victory at Burnley and the draw at home to Preston North End. Cureton was a hero turned villain however in his first game back at Norwich City when the reds slipped to an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Carrow Road with Cureton netting the Canaries’ second.

8 Apps, 8 Points, 2 Goals, 1 Assist

Liverpool born Adam Hammil became something of an instant fans favourite after arriving at Oakwell on deadline day until the end of the season on loan from his hometown club. Hammil made his debut coming on as a substitute in the Reds record breaking victory at Hillsborough. Coming off the bench again at Vicarage Road the winger provided the cross for Jon Macken to net the opener in a 1-1 draw and earned himself a regular starting place in the team for the rest of the season, coming up with the goods on the final day of the season with a 20 yard equalizer against Plymouth Argyle. Many reds fans would urge Simon Davey to try and secure his signature again next season.

14 Apps, 18 Points, 1 Goal, 1 Assist

Andranik Teymourian doesn’t have the look of a footballer. Perhaps he would look more at home in a periodic drama or as Robin Hood in a blockbuster film, but the Iranians talent is something which Barnsley fans must be thankful for. He arrived in February on loan from Fulham until the end of the season, looking to gain match sharpness for next season after a bad knee injury forced him out of Roy Hodgson’s plans. Like Adam Hammill, Andranik also made his Barnsley debut in the fiery clash at Hillsborough. The midfielder was at the heart of some strong displays for the Reds but picked up a needless red card at Ninian Park after shoving Michael Chopra as the former reds favourite prepared to take a free kick.

11 Apps, 11 Points, 0 Goals, 0 Assists

Michael Mifsud was picked up on loan from Coventry City in February by Simon Davey and although he failed to hit the target for a few games, showed flashes of electric pace and skill. Another Hillsborough debutant, the 28 year old joined Barnsley on the promise of a direct attacking role, something which he had been denied at Coventry, who preferred to use him as a winger. His prowess as a goalscorer has been proven at International level with the striker notching up over 60 appearances and 20 goals. He joined his Maltese strike partner Daniel Bogdanovic in attack and put in some fine displays in the second half of the reds season crossing for Bogdanovic’s goal at home to QPR and netting in the draw with Birmingham City and the win over Crystal Palace.

15 Apps, 18 Points, 2 Goals, 1 Assist

Verdict:

Best Loan Signing: Adam Hammill. The young winger has the direct approach that other Barnsley midfielders lack. He can beat his full back and get a cross in which is all you ask of wingers.

Worst Loan Signing: Maceo Rigters. An absolute disappointment. There was talk of seven figure sums that brought him to England. I wouldn’t pay 7 pence for him. When he wasn’t injured, he was useless.

Finally I have made use of the photograph of Maceo Rigters. Aaagh…