Reading FC Loan Report - End Of Season Special

Danny Guthrie - Fulham FC (SkyBet Championship) Appearances: 6

Season summary;

Guthrie joined Fulham on loan right on the deadline of the loan window, and went on to make six appearances for the Cottagers. The general consensus from the Fulham faithful is that he actually played quite well, often playing at the base of a midfield diamond and filling in on the right wing when necessary.

What's next?

Guthrie won't be returning to Reading though, as his contract runs out at the end of the season and will almost certainly be allowed to leave on a free. Will Fulham take him? That depends on how much of his current wages are being subsidised by the Royals.

GRADE: C-

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Jake Taylor - Leyton Orient (SkyBet League One) Appearances: 3

Season summary;

Like Guthrie, academy-product Jake Taylor was farmed out on loan on deadline day to League One Leyton Orient. Taylor joined a relegation-threatened Orient side searching for regular first-team football, but was hauled off at half time in their 6-1 thrashing to the now-Championship side, MK Dons. That was to be Taylor's last appearance for Orient as he was absent for their remaining games as they suffered relegation heart-break on the final day.

What's next?

Jake will re-join his Reading team-mates for pre-season, but it's clear that he isn't in Steve Clarke's immediate plans, and at 23, he can't wait forever for first-team football. I feel that if the right bid came in, we could see Taylor become one of several expected casualties as Clarke looks to shake up the team.

GRADE: E

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Craig Tanner - AFC Wimbledon (SkyBet League Two) Appearances: 19

Season summary;

Tanner made 19 appearances for Wimbledon in League Two this season, and despite a promising first game, he failed to score throughout his time at the club - although we're still crediting that supposed Ben Chorley own-goal as his in March. Many of Tanner's appearances did come off the bench though, but it's all good experience of the Football League for Craig.

What's next?

Tanner is one of our brightest young attacking players, and despite failing to score at Wimbledon, he marked his return to Berkshire by scoring for the U21s earlier this week in their 2-1 defeat against Wolves. Depending on who Steve Clarke decides to bring in in the way of attacking players in the summer, we could well see Tanner in and around the first team next season. If not, another season in the Football League will be hugely beneficial to the young striker.

GRADE: C+

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Aaron Tshibola - Hartlepool United (SkyBet League Two) Appearances: 24

Season summary;

Tish played his part in Hartlepool's miracle escape from League Two relegation this season, and it was simply amazing to follow! When Tshibola joined Hartlepool were ten points adrift, rock bottom of League Two and looking certainties for relegation. That gap extended to 12 points just weeks later, but a run of four consecutive wins and no defeats in five in March meant that Hartlepool went into the final day already safe from relegation. Tshibola was the centre-piece of Hartlepool's play in the second-half of the season, contributing in every game since joining which was epitomised by his two assists on the final day, and his final game for the club.

What's next?

Tshibola will hope that he has done enough to persuade Steve Clarke to keep him around next season, and I think his stats will justify that. If not, I'm sure Hartlepool would love to have him back, although I think they'd face stiff competition for his loan signature should Clarke make him available again.

GRADE: A

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Rob Dickie - Basingstoke Town (Vanarama Conference South) Appearances: 24

Season summary;

Dickie initially joined on a month's loan at Basingstoke, joining his U21 team-mate Stuart Moore at the Conference South side. A run of outstanding performances at the heart of the defence gave Jason Bristow, the Basingstoke manager, no choice but to extend that until the end of the season. Over his 24 appearances for the club, Dickie was often the defender most comfortable with the ball at his feet, looking to play the ball from the back and even make forward runs when necessary. Although this sometimes left Basingstoke short at the back, it is good to see Dickie bringing what he's learnt at U21 level onto a professional football pitch.

What's next?

Depending on how short we are in the centre back position going into the season, I'd like to see Dickie go out on loan next season, possibly to the Football League. I don't think he's ready for Championship action just yet, but he's still raw and will only improve game-by-game.

GRADE: B+

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Stuart Moore - Basingstoke Town (Vanarama Conference South) Appearances: 48+7 (pre-season)

Season summary;

Stuart Moore was the first to depart on loan this season, and played more than double the amount of games as any other loanee this season, playing 23% of the overall appearances of all 16 players. Moore was an ever-present for Basingstoke this season, and helped his side to their highest ever league finish by making countless saves to keep the opposition out. They ended up losing in the play-off semi-final to Whitehawk, but Moore walked away with both the Home and Away 'Player of the Season' awards from the club.

What's next?

With Federici and Andersen both out of contract this season, I genuinely believe Moore has a shot of being next season's number two for Reading. If both Federici and Andersen left, I'd feel more than content that the 20-year-old could hold his own at this level already. If both stay, or if Clarke decides he isn't ready, then a loan to League One or a promotion-chasing League Two side may well be on the cards.

GRADE: A+

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Lasha Dvali - Kasimpasa (Turkish Super Lig) Appearances: 8

Season summary;

Since joining the club, Dvali has failed to earn a work permit in England, and despite the management having high hopes for the youngster they felt it would have been unfair to keep him at the club without playing games. Turkish first division side Kasimpasa took the young Georgian in January and he has gone on to play 8 games for the 12th placed side, scoring an own goal during that time before finding himself out of favour in recent weeks.

What's next?

Despite the youngster playing at a high level, it will be unlikely if not impossible for him to get a work permit, and with an option to buy agreement in his loan deal, it looks likely Kasimpasa will sign him permanently in the summer.

GRADE: C+

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Dom Hyam -  Hemel Hempstead (Vanarama Conference South) Appearances: 14

Season summary;

The Scotland-U21 international played 14 times for Hemel Hempstead this season and, by all accounts, was impressive without being spectacular at the heart of the defence as he helped them to a 9th placed finish in the Conference South.

What's next?

Another season out on loan in the Conference would go a long way for Dom, but I'm not sure many would object if he was back in the Conference South again next season. Clarke/Dolan may want to keep him for the U21s though, assuming Dickie departed again.

GRADE: C+

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George McLennan - Hayes & Yeading (Vanarama Conference South) Appearances: 7

Season summary;

Reading's young left back joined Conference South side Hayes & Yeading shortly before the loan deadline and went on to make 7 appearances for the club as they survived relegation. McLennan also scored on his debut for the club, against Hyam's Hemel Hempstead, as he impressed at left back.

What's next?

Similarly to Hyam, I think McLennan will go out again next season to the Conference, but may stay to play in the U21s, depending on Shane Griffin's situation next season.

GRADE: C+

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Jon Henly - Welling United/Basingstoke Town (Vanarama Conference Prem/South) Appearances: 26/3

Season summary;

Henly started the season at Basingstoke, covering for the suspended Stuart Moore that carried over from the previous season. Once Moore returned, Henly rejoined Reading having simply been there as cover. He then went out on loan to Welling United in the Conference Premier, but was constantly in and out of the side during his 26-game spell. Henly did play a part in the final game though, as his Welling side stayed up on the final day on goal difference at Alfreton's expense.

What's next?

Henly has had a reasonably good season, but was in and out of a Welling side who only stayed in the Conference on goal difference. If he has a future at Reading FC, he's going to have to play regularly in the Football League next season, as goalkeepers like Dan Lincoln and Stuart Moore are also aiming to stake their claim to be Reading's next number one.

GRADE: B

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Dan Lincoln - Nuneaton Town (Vanarama Conference Prem) Appearances: 2

Season summary;

Lincoln spent the majority of the season with the U21 squad as they gained promotion to Division One of the U21 Premier League, but he did play two games at Nuneaton in March, covering for Max Crocombe's surprise New Zealand call-up. He kept a clean sheet on his debut in a 2-0 win over Wrexham, which was to be their last victory of the season as they finished rock bottom on just 36 points.

What's next?

A lot of this will become clearer when Andersen and Federici's contract talks are concluded, but I'd still like to see Lincoln head out for an extended loan spell next season, potentially to League Two, maybe to the Conference Premier.

GRADE: C

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Dom Samuel - Coventry City (SkyBet League One) Appearances: 13

Season summary;

6 goals in 12 starts for the League One club led many Reading fans to wonder why Steve Clarke farmed him out, particularly with the Berkshire side desperately struggling for a goal-scorer. His impressive strike rate of 1 in 2 when starting games helped Coventry to survive by seven points, despite his season being ended prematurely by an innocuous challenge from Josh Wright during Orient's win over Coventry.

What's next?

At 21, Samuel will be looking to break into Steve Clarke's plans for next season. His strike rate has certainly proved that he deserves a look-in during pre-season. If he doesn't feature in Clarke's plans then I doubt he ever will. Pre-season will tell us a lot about just how highly Clarke rates Samuel.

GRADE: A-

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Royston Drenthe - Sheffield Wednesday (SkyBet Championship) Appearances: 15

Season summary;

Royston found himself out of favour at the start of the season under Nigel Adkins, and was shipped out to Sheffield Wednesday until January, during which he made 15 appearances for the Yorkshire side (most of which off the bench). The door had already been shut firmly in Royston Drenthe's face before Steve Clarke joined in December, and the Dutchman left for Turkey in January as Reading looked to trim the wage bill.

What's next?

N/A

GRADE: D+

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George Legg - Dunstable Town/Hendon (Evo-Stik Southern Premier/Isthmian Premier) Appearances: 2/10

Season summary;

Young keeper, George Legg, played 12 games out on loan in the first half of the season. He played ten games at Hendon, in which his good form would help the club to kick on and finish second in the Ryman Isthmian Premier Division, before then heading out to Dunstable Town, where he played just two games as the team eventually finished 14th.

What's next?

Another season out on loan would greatly benefit George's career. Regular games is the main goal though, whichever level that may be at.

GRADE: B-

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Lewis Ward - Whitehawk (Vanarama Conference South) Appearances: 2

Season summary;

Ward joined Whitehawk in a short temporary switch at the start of the season, playing two thrilling FA Cup games against Chelmsford. He saved a penalty in the first, in a 4-4 draw, before Chelmsford won the replay 4-1.

What's next?

Ward will look to kick on next season, be it either with the U21s or out on loan again.

GRADE: C-

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Alex Gogic - Maidenhead United (Vanarama Conference South) Appearances: 1 (friendly)

Season summary;

Gogic was given a run out at the start of the season, in pre-season, against Slough Town.

What's next?

With so many talented goalkeepers at the club, a lot depends on what happens with the others, but Gogic may well find himself out on loan next season in a more extended stay.

GRADE: N/A

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TOTAL: 16 PLAYERS, 18 CLUBS, 225 GAMES + 8 FRIENDLIES

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LOANEE OF THE SEASON:

Over the course of the season, we've tried to keep a tally of the best players of the week. Since we began the award, seven different players have won it over twelve weeks, but the 'Loanee of the Season' for 2014/15, with 30 points, is Aaron Tshibola. Tish played a major role in keeping Hartlepool in the Football League, and the 'Pools fans really took to the young central midfielder during his short stay at the club.

MY TOP 3:

3) Dom Samuel - Dom's strike rate of 1 goal in every 2 starts just highlights how good a season he has had, and who knows how much better it could have gotten had his season not been cut painfully short via his season ending injury in April.

2) Aaron Tshibola - There's not a lot else to be said about Tish this season really. He did the unspectacular things very well, and became a fan's favourite during his loan spell in Hartlepool. His two assists on the final day of the season was the decisive factor in the 'Loanee of the Season' rankings, and he will be looking to kick on next season, hopefully at Reading.

1) Stuart Moore - Moore picked up Basingstoke's 'Home Player of the Season' as well as their 'Away Player of the Season' after an outstanding season that saw them finish 3rd in the Conference South. He came second in our own 'Loanee of the Season' rankings, but I feel that over the course of the season, Stuart has been our best loanee, and fully deserves a look in pre-season.