Loaned Players Enjoy Mixed Success

16 November 2015
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading's list of loaned out players has grown significanly in recent weeks as Tarique Fosu joined Fleetwood and Dominic Samuel joined Gillingham on a months loan. The Royals already have Aaron Kuhl (at Dundee United), Jake Taylor (Motherwell), Craig Tanner (Plymouth), Simon Cox (Bristol City) and Sean Long (Luton Town) out on loan. Jake Taylor and Simon Cox are two players on extended loan that appear unlikely to feature in Steve Clarke's future plans. Taylor has picked up a red card while at Motherwell and has only made one appearance for the Scottish Premier League side since the end of September. Simon Cox has failed to make an impact at Bristol City with just two very late substitute appearances meaning he has had no chance to find the back of the net as he tries to rebuild his career.

On the other hand both Fosu and Samuel were both expected to be part of Reading's first team this season. However that was before Steve Clarke went shopping in the summer transfer window and both players found themselves well down the selection order, before eventually being shipped out on loan. Fosu made his first appearance for League One Fleetwood at the weekend, coming on with 66 minutes played in a 1-2 away defeat. Meanwhile Dominic Samuel made a perfect start to his loan spell at Gillingham. Gillingham were 3-1 home winners over Bury - thanks to Samuel's sixth minute goal which set them on their way. Samuel has been limited to four substitute appearances for Reading in total - two of which came this season after his impressive loan at Coventry last season. Samuel hit six goals in thirteen matches for Coventry and would have hoped to carry that form on to his parent club. It looks like we will have to wait longer for Samuel to play a part at the Madejski Stadium but he continues to demonstrate his potential - something Steve Clarke will surely have to take note of.

Meanwhile defender Sean Long has just extended his loan stay with League Two Luton Town until the end of the season. Long, who has just a single League Cup appearance from the bench on his Reading career record, joined Luton a month ago and had made five appearances - including the full ninety minutes in Luton's 2-1 away victory at Crawley Town in the first round of the FA Cup. Craig Tanner is also racking up an impressive list of statistics at Plymouth, where he has become a key part of the first team, scoring four goals over 21 games so far this season.

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