'Always leave them wanting more' isn't a maxim that Loan Watch usually lives by (you may have noticed) but there's little choice this week as more than half of the loanees didn't play, mainly due to teams being already knocked out of the FA Cup. No worries, it gives us a chance to take a look at a player who rarely gets more than a passing mention on here- Etien Velikonja (pictured).
Lierse had gone seven games unbeaten going into Friday's home clash with lowly Coxyde but it had been a disappointing performance last time out and although Etien had got the goal in a 1-1 draw he was frustrated at missing a couple of chances to win the game. 0-0 at half-time in Friday's match but there was to be no mistake this time round, a 3-1 win with Etien getting two taking him to joint top scorer in the league with a total of 13 goals in 14 games. More importantly, the win takes Lierse closer to the Holy Grail of world football, the Belgian play-offs. People are already asking me if Loan Watch will go daily should Lierse qualify but that decision will be made nearer the time, I wouldn't want to make a promise I can't keep.
Elsewhere, Tom Adeyemi scored the second goal for Leeds in a 2-1 win against Hull and spoke of his midfield partnership with recent City target Liam Bridcutt. Tom already feels confident playing alongside Bridcutt and was able to get forward on a number of occasions leading to an impressive performance from him. Adam le Fondre went back to his old stamping ground at Rotherham and helped Wolves to a 2-1 win, he started ahead of Benik Afobe this week. Joe Lewis played in Fulham's 3-0 loss at Forest while Eoin Doyle didn't get on for Preston as they won at Burnley.
Tommy O'Sullivan played his part in a 1-0 FA Cup win for Newport at Barnet, the first time they've reached the third round for thirty years. Jazzi Barnum-Bobb was rested (I presume he wasn't dropped, his performances have been consistently good as far as I can make out). Wigan fell foul of what people are already calling the Loan Watch Curse of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy as Alex Revell played 61 minutes in a game that Barnsley ending up winning on penalties. Alex follows Deji Oshilaja and David Tutonda out of the tournament.
Of our former players it's good to see John Brayford continue his return from injury with another 90 minutes yesterday as Sheffield United knocked Oldham out of the FA Cup. Also good to see Aaron Ramsey back on form for Arsenal, a late goal for him there. Loan Watch is far too polite to mention Steven Caulker's appearance for Southampton against Liverpool in the week though.