Divock Origi – Wolfsburg
The Belgian enjoyed a promising debut for his new German side but couldn’t find the back of the net despite a number chances. Spectators were excited to see how Origi would work alongside Mario Gomez, but the latter limped off with an ankle injury midway through the first half. This could lead to Origi becoming the main striker and target man up front, during his next, and only second, league appearance. Origi had five shots, joint most out of anyone else on the pitch, but couldn’t capitalise on his chances. He also showed his strength and speed when he burst down the left wing to set up a teammate, who blazed over from inside the box. The match with Hannover finished 1-1 and Wolfsburg sit at eleventh after playing three games.
Connor Randall – Hearts
The natural right-back and spent most of his Hearts career operating in midfield, but at the weekend he took on more favourable defensive duties. Randall was playing as a right wing-back and will be pleased with his performances at both ends of the field. Hearts picked up a clean sheet but failed to get anything more when they drew 0-0 at home to Aberdeen, their second goalless score line of the season. Randall was a good attacking option and created a couple of chances with passes in and around the box, but unfortunately none of his teammates could convert. He even managed a shot himself late on, but his effort lacked enough power to test the goalkeeper. His defensive display was good enough to keep a clean sheet, although once or twice Aberdeen got around the back of the defence, on Randall’s side of the field.
Taiwo Awoniyi – Royal Excel Mouscron
Taiwo Awoniyi put in a largely ineffective display during the 2-1 win over league leaders, Club Brugge. The Nigerian striker failed to do anything noteworthy before he was substituted in the 60th minute. After having a decent start to his career in Belgium, he will now be looking to pick up another couple of goals in the coming weeks to get himself back into some form. Mouscron are having a great start to the season and currently sit third in the Belgian Jupiler League.
Brooks Lennon – Real Salt Lake City
Despite having an excellent couple of games last week coming off the bench, Brooks Lennon couldn’t make an impact during his 15 minutes in the pitch. He was brought on as a second half substitute to try an inject some life into his side but in the end, it wasn’t enough to come away with one point at least. He entered the game with RSL trailing 3-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps, and although they got one back just seven minutes after Lennon came on, it was merely a consolation goal. Like Randall, Lennon mustered just one shot of his own which was also comfortably collected by the goalkeeper.
Pedro Chirivella – Willem II
Pedro Chirivella can count ‘not getting a yellow card’ as the only positive he can take from this weekend. Willem II lost 2-1 to ADO Den Haag and are still propping up the table having lost all four of their opening games. This match was the first time this season that the young Spaniard didn’t find his way into the referee’s book, but apart from that he put in a very average shift. He tried to move the ball around but really struggled to get anything going.
Toni Gomes – Forest Green Rovers
Following his impressive first appearance last week, Gomes was given an opportunity to start for Forest Green. However, it was a home debut to forget for him as they went down 3-1 to Exeter City. Gomes’ best opportunity came when he turned skilfully to beat his man, but the resulting shot was harmlessly driven wide. He was later substituted early in the second half and only once he was off the pitch, did Forest Green manage to score.
Jordan Williams – Rochdale
Like Gomes, Williams will also want to put his home debut behind him as Rochdale lost 3-0 to Blackburn Rovers. Despite this, Williams looks to be getting on very well in the initial stages of his loan move and is quickly establishing himself as a key player. He almost scored a great goal, but his driven shot from the edge of the box rifled into the crossbar and over. The score was 2-0 at that stage so could’ve been a way back into the game for Rochdale. Blackburn’s final goal came after the Liverpool loanee gave up on chasing a ball back toward his own area. He did this as the goalkeeper looked to comfortably collect the loose ball, only to disastrously fumble into the path of an opposition striker. Although you could argue that Williams might’ve done more, there is really only one person to blame for the error.
Sheyi Ojo – Fulham
Sheyi Ojo missed out at the weekend after picking up an injury during the international break. The official word from Fulham’s manager, Slavisa Jokanovic is that he “came back with some problems”. There doesn’t appear to be too many concerns about the seriousness of the issues, so we should expect to see Ojo back in action soon. Fulham drew 1-1 at home to Cardiff City.
Shamal George – Carlisle United
Shamal George was an unused substitute during the 3-0 loss to Accrington Stanley at the WAMH Stadium.
Allan Rodrigues – Apollon Limassol
Allan didn’t make it off the bench as Apollon Limassol kicked of their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Olympiakos Nicosia.
Ryan Kent – SC Freiburg
Ryan Kent wasn’t in the matchday squad for Freiburg’s 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund. Kent was deemed “not ready” for the clash, having only had four training sessions with his new team.
