Welcome to this weekends Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium.
In this update you can read about the following players in the following games.
Reports:
Nacer Barazite – Derby 2-1 Sheffield United (45 Minutes)
Armand Traore – Portsmouth 2-1 Middlesbrough (84 Minutes)
Kerrea Gilbert – Leicester 0-1 Millwall (34 Minutes)
Previews:
Havard Nordtveit & Pedro Botelho – UD Salamanca V CD Xerez
Nacer Barazite – Derby County 2-1 Sheffield United
The statistics were all against Derby County ahead of the late kick off at Pride Park. The fixture would be the final opportunity to gain a win – or face the humiliation of going an entire year without a victory in the League.
Since acquiring the services of winger Nacer Barazite from the Gunners, fortunes have improved, but only slightly. A Cup win has inspired some confidence, but the fact of the matter is that The Rams are a side in trouble.
Barazite scored two for Holland Under 19’s against Scotland last Saturday, but was again named on the bench with Paul Jewel opting for more experienced players to take the battle to United.
Derby began well but their fragile confidence was tested after 15 minutes as Billy Sharp punished a high line, only a late offside flag stopped a certain goal. In 29 of the last 30 games that County have gone behind in, they have lost, but after a mix up saw Paul Green flick into the net, the home side finally had a lead, one they looked to use to push them on.
However, just two minutes later the high line was finally punished and Sheffield were level. Darius Henderson was the grateful party, and Pride Park had gone silent again sensing the worst.
Half time brought Nacer’s entrance, the Arsenal winger went to play on the right hand side and was instantly involved in a neat free kick move which saw Commons curl wide. His next touch was to collect the ball out wide, a step over was followed by a deep cross, which was well cleared by Chris Morgan.
The Dutchman was flying. He would then take the ball 25 yards out, a deft turn allowed him space to smash a shot that just flew over. Barazite then layed off a perfect ball for Connolly, his cross was nearly turned home by Tito Villa.
The 18-year-olds influence had inspired Derby who would win a penalty on 55 minutes, only for the assistant to over rule the referee, another harsh blow to the already fragile confidence. Gary Speed broke sharply to try and make matters worse, but Nacer was back and made a brilliant challenge to save the day.
Barazite would then opened up Sheffield with a flowing through ball, but whilst he was clearly the best player on the pitch, the team mates around him seemed reluctant to pass.
On 70 minutes, finally some luck. Nacer’s perfect cross fired across the face of the goal found Hulse, the ball rolled off his hand allowing the former Sheffield man the chance to volley, he smashed home to hand the Rams a vital lead.
The visitors flexed their squad with 20 minutes left – James Beattie and David Cotterill both boasted Premiership experience, they both came on in an attempt to press back the now rampant Derby.
With time running out, County’s new number 25 was now willing to come back and defend.
It may have taken just over 11 months to arrive, but Derby finally had a League win, all thanks to the energy and spirit of Barazite.
Armand Traoré – Portsmouth 2-1 Middlesbrough
Armand Traoré continued his excellent run in the Portsmouth team this afternoon by playing 84 minutes as Pompey came from behind to beat a determinedMiddlesbrough at Fratton Park.
Armand faced former team mate Justin Hoyte down the flank, but it was Justin who could celebrate first after Mido put Boro’ into a 24 minute lead.
However, two second half strikes from Jermain Defoe helped seal the win, but Traoré left the field with an injury – Harry Redknapp must have been fearing the worst. A solid game for the Frenchman who is getting valuable minutes down on the South coast.
Kerrea Gilbert – Leicester 0-1 Millwall
Leicester City’s promotion push hit the buffers this afternoon as The Foxes lost 1-0 to Millwall at the Walkers Stadium.
To make matters worse Kerrea Gilbert was replaced after just 34 minutes with an injury, his excellent performances have been key for Leicester, but Kerrea looks set for a spell on the sidelines. Gary Alexander’s 20th minute strike handed Millwall all three points in a very disappointing fixture for Nigel Pearson’s outfit.
Pedro Botelho & Havard Nordtveit – Salamanca V CD Xerez
A struggling UD Salamanca take on a high flying CD Xerez tomorrow evening looking to pick up their first win of the campaign despite deserving wins in each of the last two fixtures.
A Pedro Botelho hand ball in the final moments against Sevilla B cost them an important victory, but the Brazilian came out fighting afterwards slamming the referee for his decision. Havard Nordtveit also spoke out in midweek, he says he is willing to be patient and wait for his chance in the team.
Pedro will struggle to hold onto his starting birth at left back, and could find himself alongside Nordtveit on the bench.
Article By – J.Sanderson
i wouldnt say it was all because of barazite, miles addison was very good along with some others but it was a very promising performance from nacer
Pires in a DERBY SHIRT
Im happily suprised at how much playing time Armand Traore is getting at Portsmouth. I didnt expect him to get this much first team action and I think it will do wonders for his development. Would love to see him get among the goals soon. Kerry G is going to come back and do well at Arsenal, he has got the mentality to make it at the top level. I may be very wrong but i think Nordveit will struggle in Spain, Nacer is the one to watch out of the loanees though.
not wrong about comparisons between Pires an Barazite, a little bit of Rosicky in there too.
Addision was very good, but Derby were being over run, they had no balance or creativity in the side.
Young players don’t sense pressure and Nacer came on and played very well, he inspired the side to victory.
Saw the game, Bazarite was very good, definatley agree with you they seemed not to want to pass him the ball.
Keep us updated on the Traore injury. You seem to suggest it’s pretty bad. Should we be fearing the worst?
Let’s hope Pedro and Nordtveit get game time. As for Traore, did he play left wing again? Was he forced off or was it just more of a precaution from Redknapp?
Barazite deserves to start the next game for Derby now. Alongside Vela I think he’s the best young forward we have and he always seems to make the right decisions and find so much space.
It will have Harry worried because Armand is a key player, from what I know now it seems like it’s not as bad as first feared.
JS having seen Theo set up the first today – stunning – I may have got it wrong re the boy. Nobody would be happier than me to eat a huge slice of the old humble pie!! Nacer was great too.
Excellent, some idiot thought Barazite would struggle. No way in hell, the guy is class and it will show even more once he is properly used to the division and his stupid team-mates trust him more. Traore is doing so well at Portsmouth so I hope he won’t be injured for too long. I wonder what Wenger is going to do with Gilbert, I think he and Simpson will share the same fate. Whatever that may be.
Norveidt will probably start his first game as Salamanca player tomorrow. Let´s see.
Lloyd the Gooner – Very good of you to say so, i think both of them have big futures here.
javier – Thank you :)
I’m not sure Traore is a key player, I’ll guess this will be sussed when both him and Krancjar are fit.
He will continue in the team because they play a wing-back formation, both him and Glenn Johnson are key to the formation.