Ojo scores a winner, while Chirivella provides an assist of the wrong kind

The Loan Report

Sheyi Ojo – Fulham

Sheyi Ojo carried on his scintillating form since his return from injury. He netted the only goal of the game on Saturday, to gift Fulham all three points against Birmingham. With just 14 minutes on the clock, Ojo nipped in front of his defender to get the decisive touch on a low driven cross. The ball rifled into the roof of the net from just six yards out, and the 20-year-old claimed his second goal in the last four games. He should’ve made it two in the second half, but his first time shot from inside the are flew way over the bar. Despite his absence of just under three months, Ojo his enjoying a highly productive and exciting loan spell in London.

Connor Randall – Hearts

Connor Randall played his first minutes in three matches against Motherwell and was dispatched in his natural position, for one of the first times this season. Playing at right-back, Randall looked far more comfortable than he has all season and was a vital part of helping Hearts secure a clean sheet, and a 1-0 victory. Following such an assured performance, he’ll be hoping that he spends more time on the right-side of defence if he is to call his time in Scotland a success.

Taiwo Awoniyi – Royal Excel Mouscron

Royal Excel Mouscron were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline when they travelled to face Royal Antwerp. This brings their run of league games without a win into the double figures. After such a promising start to the season, four points from the last 10 outings has dropped them to 11th spot and all but eradicated any hopes of European football next season. Taiwo Awoniyi played another full 90 minutes and spent a lot of time in the middle of the action. However, he’ll come away from the game having squandered two chances that could’ve changed his side’s fortunes.

Pedro Chirivella – Willem II

Having received so much praise recently for his precision passing this season, Friday’s match against NAC Breda will be one Pedro Chirivella will be ready to forget. Willem II were sitting 1-0 at the start of the second half of the derby, when a fairly innocuous ball came in from the right wing. Chirivella attempted to clear the ball on the half-volley, but almost completely whiffed on the connection. The resulting deflection directed the ball into the path of the NAC striker Thierry Ambrose, who calmly slotted home to equalise. The match finished 1-1 and the loss of two points will hang over Chirivella’s head.

Apart from that, the Spaniard didn’t have his best game anyway, losing possession on several occasions and not registering any positive attacking statistics. However, he did manage to make three tackles throughout the evening, but that was just about it.

Allan Rodrigues – Apollon Limassol

Allan Rodrigues once again faced up against Everton in the Europa League, but this time under very different circumstances. With both sides already out of the competition, Everton fielded a ‘B’ side, who ended up running rings around the Cypriot outfit. Allan could have no impact on proceedings and couldn’t stop his team finishing bottom of Group E. The 3-0 win ended up being Everton’s only win of the competition.

Divock Origi – Wolfsburg

Divock Origi started once again as a right-sided attacking midfielder and it is clear to see that it is not his preferred position. The Belgian was all but useless before he was substituted just 10 minutes into the second-half. The match with Hamburg finished 0-0 and if Origi is to develop in his natural target-man position, he will first have to usurp it from Mario Gomez. Judging by the weekend’s display, that probably won’t happen for some time.

Toni Gomes – Forest Green Rovers

Toni Gomes featured from the bench twice again this week, with one much more positive outcome than the other. He came on win 25 minutes to go in midweek and helped direct his side to a 1-0 win over Swindon in the Checkatrade Trophy. His run out at the weekend was less successful, as his half an hour on the pitch against Grimsby was played with just nine other men in his colour. Despite his best efforts, an equaliser could not be found, as Forest Green succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.

Ryan Kent (SC Freiburg) and Shamal George (Carlisle United) spent another afternoon on the bench as unused subs, while Jordan Williams (Rochdale) missed a further two games through injury.

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