The Loan Lads

Last updated : 20 October 2004 By Keith Allman
Silk (see below)
Since the weekend, three of the ten who had been out on loan have returned to Fratton Park. Mark Burchill came back from Rotherham sporting an injury, John Curtis was recalled as a precaution in case of further defensive shortages, whilst Kevin Harper has been deemed surplus to requirements at Leicester.

Meanwhile in The Championship, Gary O'Neil notched up another assist. After whipping in a corner for Cardiff's second goal against Rotherham at the weekend, tonight he set up the equaliser as the Bluebirds scrapped to a 1-1 draw with Brighton. Elsewhere in the same league, Richard Duffy was an unused substitute as Burnley drew 2-2 with Coventry.

After an electric start for Luton in League One, it's all started going downhill. After losing their unbeaten record to Huddersfield at the weekend, courtesy of a 2-1 defeat at home, they've now lost their second successive game. Rowan Vine drew another blank, picked up a booking and was substituted with twenty minutes left on the clock, as Paul Merson inspired Walsall to a 2-0 victory. Merse himself scored the first goal as well as set up the second - a good result for our former captain, as he's been under some pressure to get results recently.

Eddie Howe continued his solid recent run of performances, as Bournemouth journeyed along the coastline to Torquay. They've got three points to bring home, as they ran out 2-1 winners - Steady Eddie playing the entire game.

Finally, young Gary Silk continues to star for Wycombe; this time as they drew 1-1 with Rushden & Diamonds. The result was not bad considering the Chairboys had to play the last twenty minutes with ten men, after the dismissal of Graham Allen.