Reading FC Loan Round-up: August 27, 2015

Craig Tanner - Plymouth Argyle (SkyBet League Two) August Appearances: 5 Total Appearances: 5 Goals: 1

Young striker Craig Tanner departed the Royals in early August, heading down to sunny Plymouth until January. In August, Craig appeared 5 times, coming off the bench in four of those games to help his side into 3rd in the SkyBet League Two table. In his second game for Argyle, Tanner came off the bench to score a brilliant volley in his side's 2-1 defeat to Gillingham, which earned him a start in the following week's 2-1 defeat to Portsmouth. I chatted to a number of Plymouth fans, who gave me an insight into Craig's start to the new season;

"Good goal (against Gillingham) but more miss than hit. Not great though there were definitely positive signs."

"Tanner's trickery on the ball is already clear. He's confident of taking on opposing defenders"

"I thought he played well, he scored a great goal against Gillingham but his performance dipped after he scored and lost possession a lot"

"He had a poor first half but grew into the game and then scored a worldie. He lost possession on half way though which led to them scoring."

George Legg - Chesham United (Southern League Premier Division) August Appearances: 5 Total Appearances: 5

Legg joined Chesham United at the start of August until January. He will continue to train at Hogwood with Reading, but will play on match days for Chesham, which he has done in all five of Chesham's fixtures in August. Speaking to getreading.co.uk a few weeks ago, Legg said;

"The loan move to Chesham came about very quickly," said Legg. "But I’m pleased that it did.

"As a young goalkeeper, I feel it’s important to gain as much pitch-time as possible.

"You can’t beat putting what you do at the training ground into practice. It’s also important to familiarise yourself with different training techniques and cultural influences to shape your overall game.

"I was obviously delighted to sign professional terms with Reading in the summer, but I am an avid believer that practice makes perfect in whatever walk of life you choose.

"Therefore, I am really looking forward to working with the players and management team at Chesham, and playing my part to help the club push for promotion this season."

Regarding his performances, it has been reported that Legg has made a solid start to the season with his new club, making a string of fine saves as he helped his side win two of his first five matches, drawing one and losing twice. Although he is yet to keep a clean sheet, he helped his side win 5-1 last week against Frome Town, and during their 1-1 draw with Hitchin Town he made a "flying save" to keep his team level at 1-1.

Jake Taylor - Motherwell FC (Scottish Premier League) August Appearances: 3 Total Appearances: 3

Jake Taylor crossed the border into Scotland at the beginning of August as he joined Motherwell on loan until January. He started in central midfield in his first game - a 2-0 defeat to Hearts - but was booked during the defeat. He then played again in the middle against Aberdeen, but he again failed to make an impact during their 2-1 defeat. He did, however, make an impact in his third appearance for the club, but it was for all the wrong reasons. Having already received a booking, he went down in the box. The referee wasn't amused, and handed Jake his second yellow card for simulation. Fans were split on whether it was simulation or not. Graham Daniels said "I thought there was clear contact", and Stevie Reid said "It was a sore second yellow, Scottish refereeing is so inconsistent." Whether Taylor dived or not, fans were still left uninspired by his performances, with Daniels going on to say "he had a shocker of a game though" and another joked "oh, is he playing this week?"

Despite the sending off, Jake was available in the next game in the League Cup. He was an unused sub as Motherwell picked up their first win of the season, 3-1 against East Fife AET.

Rob Dickie - Cheltenham United (Conference National League) August Appearances: 1 Total Appearances: 1 Goals: 1

Rob Dickie joined Cheltenham Town on a month youth loan late last week and made his debut at the weekend against Barrow. Dickie started the match on the bench but entered the fray at half time, replacing Harry Pell at half time. In the 88th minute and with the game finely poised at 1-1, Dickie powered home a header, rising highest above the defenders to score the late winner to cap off a brilliant debut.

STAR LOANEE:

As a centre back, scoring a bullet header late on to win a match on your debut is what Rob Dickie would have dreamed about the night before, and that's exactly what he did at the weekend. Special mention too to Craig Tanner on scoring a wonderful volley for Plymouth, but Rob Dickie wins our first 'Star Loanee' award of the season.