Loan Report: Holsgrove’s Baleares Going Strong, Barrow Shines In Turkey

It’s been mixed fortunes for Jordan Holsgrove and Atletico Baleares in the past couple of weeks, suffering defeat in one game, but then getting back to winning ways the week after. The first game was a 2-1 defeat away at Las Palmas Atletico, in which the home side took the lead in the opening quarter of an hour. Baleares equalised with just over ten minutes to go but the hosts grabbed a winner in injury time to snatch all three points.

The week after, Atletico played host to Rayo Majadahonda in which they grabbed a 1-0 win, with the only goal of the game coming inside two minutes. Holsgrove played the full 90 minutes in both games, and Baleares continue to be level on points at the top of the league with Atletico Madrid B.

After a winter break in Turkey, Denizlipsor have returned to competitive action with four games in the last couple of weeks but Reading loanee Mo Barrow has only featured in their most recent game, in which Denizlispor were beaten 3-0 at home in the Super Lig by Antalyaspor. Despite the poor team performance, Barrow stood out as the best player on the pitch for the Roosters. The hosts enjoyed 70% of the possession despite being on the losing side, and Barrow proved a constant threat down the left-hand side and looked to be the only effective attacking threat for Denizlispor.

Roeselare’s good start to the second phase of the Belgian First Division has slowly turned into a disappointing run of form and they are now without a win in five. Since our last loan report, Roeselare have played two games, but young defender Tom Holmes has only featured once.

This came on the 18th when Roeselare hosted Virton, with the visitors picking up a 2-0 win. A goal two minutes after half time and a second goal in injury time secured the win for the side sat top of the league. Holmes reportedly picked up a serious head injury in this game and has returned to Reading from his loan spell.

After his initial loan spell in Scotland came to an end, Luke Southwood returned to the Royals. Having signed a year extension to his contract however, the young goalkeeper has returned to Hamilton for a second loan spell until the end of the season. Last Saturday Southwood was an unused sub for the 4-2 home defeat to Livingston. I’m sure Luke will be looking to retain his place in the side as quickly as possible and help Hamilton climb the SPL table. Looking at this fan’s tweet, he may not be the only one…

Marc McNulty has been an unused sub in Sunderland’s two games since our last report, with Sunderland picking up a 1-0 win away at MK Dons and then drawing 0-0 at home to Doncaster Rovers.

Sam Smith has not featured for Cambridge United over the past couple of weeks after coming down with glandular fever.