Opinions on our loan players.

[west stand oap]

Which of our loan players do you think have been a success?
The first time I saw Eppiah I thought he had good close control and would cause defences problems. Unfortunately he has had injury issues but I think we are now seeing him at his best and I consider him a definite plus.
Lubala has had plenty of opportunities but has not shown the form he was apparently capable of at Crawley and earned him his transfer to Blackpool. Was expected to be a goal threat but has failed to score and now is not even on the bench - a disappointment.
Zimba and Kanu we have seen so little of as both have had injuries so it is impossible to form an opinion.
The other player I would rate as a success would be Magliore who had to bide his time to make his debut as we were playing only 2 centre backs but he was good when he came in and looked to bring the ball out of defence and had a turn of pace. Unfortunately like all of the other loans he too suffered an injury.

[BackOfTheNet]

Lubala, Zimba and Kanu haven't really done enough for me and I'd have little interest in signing any of them permanently.

Magliore I liked and would like to see back, especially if we lose Horsfall.

Eppiah I like. He makes things happen and is finally starting to show an end product, which is what he's been lacking. He does appear to be made of glass though - how many times has he been injured in his brief time with us? It's one of those though... I guess it's questions over his fitness that mean we might have any chance of signing him, but the same factor makes him quite a risk to sign.

[everbrite]

Lubala, Zimba and Kanu haven't really done enough for me and I'd have little interest in signing any of them permanently.

Magliore I liked and would like to see back, especially if we lose Horsfall.

Eppiah I like. He makes things happen and is finally starting to show an end product, which is what he's been lacking. He does appear to be made of glass though - how many times has he been injured in his brief time with us? It's one of those though... I guess it's questions over his fitness that mean we might have any chance of signing him, but the same factor makes him quite a risk to sign.

could have done better c

Eppiah - without him yesterday I doubt we would have won! Its his apparent positioning is the difference from would be strikers. the fourth goal IMO was the best of the lot. Viewed from the Family North Stand it looked very good. The trouble is is that Orient were not very good and the referee let a lot go in their huff and puff in the second half. Not sure if Roberts could have done better with their second.

[the grumpy old man]

According to reports Orients second goal took a deflection, otherwise I would have expected Roberts to save it. I have to say though that I didn't see a deflection on the highlights, but then I am not the best judge these days.

[West Stand]

According to reports Orients second goal took a deflection, otherwise I would have expected Roberts to save it. I have to say though that I didn't see a deflection on the highlights, but then I am not the best judge these days.

I thought he should have save it too. He has lots of credit in the bank.

[MCHammer]

The loans this season have shown exactly the postives and negatives of the system and why you should never build your team around them like we have done at times in the past.

They should add the quality you are missing/can't afford to get through permanent signings.

Etete was exactly this and in my opinion Eppiah and Magloire are this when fit.

The rest I'm afraid sum up the negatives and the risk involved in loan signings.  You either get young inexperienced players getting their first taste of mens football who clearly aren't ready or injury prone players.  I like Lubala and there is definitely something about him but he was way off the pace fitness wise and you just can't regain that during the season.

You do wonder whether it would just have been better instead of a couple of the loans to simply give some of our own youngsters/fringe players a chance.  Surely would have been more beneficial in the long term.

[Manwork04]

The loans this season have shown exactly the postives and negatives of the system and why you should never build your team around them like we have done at times in the past.

They should add the quality you are missing/can't afford to get through permanent signings.

Etete was exactly this and in my opinion Eppiah and Magloire are this when fit.

The rest I'm afraid sum up the negatives and the risk involved in loan signings.  You either get young inexperienced players getting their first taste of mens football who clearly aren't ready or injury prone players.  I like Lubala and there is definitely something about him but he was way off the pace fitness wise and you just can't regain that during the season.

You do wonder whether it would just have been better instead of a couple of the loans to simply give some of our own youngsters/fringe players a chance.  Surely would have been more beneficial in the long term.

Agree completely, Eppiah is a free agent in the summer and definitely worth a punt, I really like Lubala as well and with a pre season in him I think he is also worth a punt.
Unfortunately the rest haven’t worked out, Magloire would depend on Horsfall staying TBH, I think there are a few Center half’s about.
If we are in L1 next season we need 4 or 5 quality additional players.

[lordjord]

Eppiah is definitely giving us a timely boost now hes fit. His finishing is still pretty erratic but he clearly has ability. That being said one of the best abilities is availability and that is something he struggles with. If we can keep him fit for a decent chunk of the season then I think it will be worth keeping him. He was asked about staying next year as his deal at Leicester is up and he sounded like there is at least a possibility which is good.

I really like Lubala but i dont think he fits into our style of play. He clearly wants the ball to feet more than we offer, meaning when he does get it he tries to do too much. That being said if we can continue to develop as a side i would want to keep him.

Maglore I think benefits massively from the solidity of the others around him. He has crazy recovery pace which is great but hes pretty horrendous with the ball at his feet. I would slightly worry about him if he played in a back 4.

The others have not really featured that much so cant really say either way. Zimba has had lots of chances but failed to convert them, seems to have something about him at least but still pretty raw. Would want better if we were in L1. Kanu barely featured.

[rebelspawn]

According to reports Orients second goal took a deflection, otherwise I would have expected Roberts to save it. I have to say though that I didn't see a deflection on the highlights, but then I am not the best judge these days.

For the first time this season  - I said to myself 'Roberts should have done better there' for Orients second. I didn't see a deflection. As others have said though, Roberts is well in credit for the season so I will give him the benefit of doubt.

[lordjord]

For the first time this season  - I said to myself 'Roberts should have done better there' for Orients second. I didn't see a deflection. As others have said though, Roberts is well in credit for the season so I will give him the benefit of doubt.

Watching back on the highlights it took a quite a decent deflection of Horsfall (I think it was him anyway) so definitely not one Roberts can be blamed for 

[rebelspawn]

Watching back on the highlights it took a quite a decent deflection of Horsfall (I think it was him anyway) so definitely not one Roberts can be blamed for 

Fair enough. He really has had an excellent season!

[Manwork04]

We should break the bank to sign Roberts 3 year deal, cash him in in the last year and get at least our investment back.
One of the best keepers I’ve seen in the lower leagues.

[yayo bayo]

Is Ryan Nolan playing for Kiddiminister Harriers or is he working in the ticket office! From what I gather he hasn’t played whatsoever…please correct me if I’m wrong

[guest3481]

We should break the bank to sign Roberts 3 year deal, cash him in in the last year and get at least our investment back.
One of the best keepers I’ve seen in the lower leagues.

Don't think anyone would disagree with that, just hope he and his agent also agree

[Manwork04]

Don't think anyone would disagree with that, just hope he and his agent also agree

Spot on agents have far to much say IMO.

[Winslow Lee]

We should break the bank to sign Roberts 3 year deal, cash him in in the last year and get at least our investment back.
One of the best keepers I’ve seen in the lower leagues.

The Roberts situation is an interesting one, it was only a year ago he was released by mediocre league 2 Walsall deemed not good enough. He’s come here established himself as a guaranteed number one and had a great season. I just see any move for him as a big risk, he would be fighting for starting role without  the credit in the bank he has here and could easily find himself on the bench and not playing.

[guest3338]

The Roberts situation is an interesting one, it was only a year ago he was released by mediocre league 2 Walsall deemed not good enough. He’s come here established himself as a guaranteed number one and had a great season. I just see any move for him as a big risk, he would be fighting for starting role without  the credit in the bank he has here and could easily find himself on the bench and not playing.

Depends what he wants from his career. Sitting on the bench for most of his career doesn't seem to have done Mark Bunn any harm.

[guest49]

We should break the bank to sign Roberts 3 year deal, cash him in in the last year and get at least our investment back.
One of the best keepers I’ve seen in the lower leagues.

It depends what ‘break the bank’ looks like. If we are promoted anyone looking for a new contract will want a raise if we are looking at keeping them. £450k across three years. I’ll get the paperwork ready 
The trouble with any player (including keepers) they can lose form or get injured. I can remember thinking Adam Smith was destined for the big time.

[Tabasco Kid]

The trouble with any player (including keepers) they can lose form or get injured. I can remember thinking Adam Smith was destined for the big time.

We only got Smith, because of his holiday "filming activities", and then he totally screwed up against the Mancs on live tv. Benchwarmer.