Everton Loans Recap: Sandro anonymous, Besic industrious, Robinson called up and Williams wanted

Not much top-flight action for Everton’s on-loan contingent over this past week - here’s a quick spin-around of all the sixteen players and how they did.

There was no action in the Greek Super League that remains suspended after the violence that has marred the games over the last few weekends. Talks are underway with FIFA sending in special mediators and it is expected that play will resume after the international break this weekend. Kevin Mirallas did get a call-up for the Belgium team despite his indifferent form and it’ll be interesting to see if he will go to the World Cup with the Red Devils.

Sandro Ramirez did not get to play in Sevilla’s big win at Old Trafford midweek to knock Manchester United out of the Champions League, but came on as a substitute in La Liga over the weekend. Sandro played just under half an hour in a 2-1 loss to lowly Leganes managing one shot in that time.

Meanwhile in Germany, Bayern Munich could have sewn up yet another Bundesliga title if results went their way over the weekend, but RB Leipzig had other ideas. Ademola Lookman played no part as the hosts beat Bayern 2-1 to keep their own Champions League chances alive with just seven games left to play.

Back in England things are heating up in the Championship. With just eight games left to play in the season, there are a gaggle of teams all in contention for the promotion playoff with the two automatic spots almost clinched by high-flying Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff.

Muhamed Besic put in another industrious performance in the middle, but did pick up a yellow card in what turned out to be a bad-tempered game with nine cautions handed out. The Bosnian midfielder made six tackles and one clearance, and was responsible for five long balls going forward.

Most of Everton’s on-loan contingent are involved on the wrong end of the table however, as Barnsley, Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland all fight to stave off relegation.

Joe Williams left the 1-1 draw against Norwich late on with a back injury in midweek, and did not feature for Barnsley over the weekend as they lost 2-0 against Tim Cahill’s Milwall. Williams was last week being linked with Leeds United, where former Tykes manager Paul Heckingbottom has taken charge. Barnsley have previously had a £1 million bid for Williams rejected by Everton.

Brendan Galloway continues to be frozen out at Sunderland and Tyias Browning is out injured for the rest of the season as the Black Cats’ miserable season continued with a 2-0 loss at home against Preston. To make things worse, former Everton midfielder Darron Gibson was arrested for another drink-driving charge after hitting multiple cars on Saturday morning, while driving to the game.

Antonee Robinson came on as a late substitute for Bolton Wanderers as they beat Aston Villa 1-0 to climb away from the relegation zone. There was more good news for Robinson after the game as he received news of a United States national team call up for this week’s international break. Harry Charsley was not in the squad this weekend once again.

Up in the mid-table area, Ipswich Town lost a big chance to gain ground on playoff contention after two losses, at home to Hull 3-0 and 1-0 away at Bristol City. Callum Connolly has moved to the left midfield side of a 4-3-3 formation and was the Tractor Boys best player in the two games winning duels in the air and getting the most shots on goal.

For Leeds United, Matthew Pennington made a critical error in time added-on in a snowy game that Sheffield Wednesday won 2-1. The defender was easily shoved off the ball by Atdhe Nuhiu who then romped in to score the winner in the 91st minute.

Kieran Dowell has been shunted out to the left wing of a 4-4-2 formation at Nottingham Forest where he was quite uninspiring as the Reds failed to get on the scoresheet yet again this season, with the game at Sheffield United ending up 0-0.

Boris Mathis came on as a late substitute for Northampton as they were thumped soundly at home 3-0 by Rotherham United. Carlisle United drew 2-2 at home against Crawley with goalkeeper Louis Gray a substitute once again.

Sam Byrne was not in the squad for Dundalk FC as they beat Waterford 1-0 to go second in the Ireland Premier Division.

There are no new updates on the health of Henry Onyekuru who is still trying to get fit this season to try get into Nigeria’s World Cup squad.