Normally Loan Watch would embrace cynicism and shake hands with sarcasm but when it comes to Christmas it hasn't got a bad word to say, even though it's an easy target. On saying that, it does make you wonder what kind of a world we live in when the Belgacom League in Belgium shuts down for a month at this time of year. I'm all for peace on earth and goodwill toward men and I'll do everything I can to get into the festive spirit but the fact that Lierse aren't playing again till January 17th vexes me considerably. At least Etien Velikonja gave us a gift before going into hibernation, a 79th minute penalty to set Lierse on their way to a 2-1 win, his 14th goal in 16 games.
A better week in general for our loan players although Newport somehow managed to squander a two goal lead for the second game in a row. What kind of muppets would do that? Having dominated the first half, they ended up hanging on for a 2-2 draw against AFC Wimbledon yesterday. Tommy O'Sullivan was subbed after 71 minutes but Jazzi Barnum-Bobb played the 90 and was bombing up and down the right touchline again after a subdued game last week. Ben Wilson didn't play for Wimbledon, he's back at City having put the twit in twitter after last week's mistake against Stevenage.
A 1-1 draw for Crewe leaves them in the League One relegation zone. Semi Ajayi missed a chance to get the winner but had a good enough game in defence, as did City old boy Ben Nugent. A clean sheet for Deji Oshilaja as Gillingham won 3-0 at Millwall but more injury worries for Ben Turner as he damaged his left ankle playing for Coventry. With his contract here up at the end of the season, there are obvious implications if it turns out to be a serious injury. Alex Revell came off the bench again as Wigan won 2-0 at Barnsley.
A lot of games in the Championship this week but not much action of note for our players. Adam le Fondre is back on the bench at struggling Wolves, as is Joe Lewis at Fulham and Eoin Doyle at Preston. A virus limited Tom Adeyemi to only 26 minutes action for Leeds this week.
Of our former players there were goals this week for Ross McCormack, Nicky Maynard and Guido Burgstaller. No goal for Javi Guerra but he played his part for Rayo Vallecano as they went 2-1 up at Real Madrid. I wasn't able to follow the game after that but I assume they held on for the win.
I'm tempted to wish all Loan Watch readers a Merry Christmas at this point but it seems a bit trite and not something that other serious, hard-nosed football writers like myself would do so, instead, I'll just wish you all a Christmas and leave it at that.