West Ham Weekly Loan Watch

Hello, hello, and welcome on back to Brace The Hammer’s official Weekly Loan Watch where we keep you up to date with the goings on with West Ham’s loanees. If you don’t know who some of these young ones are, don’t worry, we didn’t either until we started doing this! You can always catch up on their backgrounds right here with the West Ham Loanee Index.

Joshua Cullen — Bradford City (League One)

Josh Cullen made his 50th appearance for Bradford City on Saturday, putting in a workhorse effort playing the whole match. The Bantams drew with Bolton Wanderers gaining one point and remaining in the playoff race for promotion. They now sit at sixth in the table, just one point above Millwall (read: gross).

Our man Josh did pick up a yellow card in the 65’, but there’s not much else to report on him from the match. What we do know is that Bradford City supporters and staff alike are all very big fans of this kid, and will hate to see him go.

Cullen is pure class on and off the pitch and we can’t wait for him to join the Hammers. Maybe even as soon as next season?

Toni Martinez — Oxford United (League One)

Toni Martinez got a lot of action this week, playing in both the FA Cup loss against Middlesbrough, and in the League One win against Charlton Athletic.

It might just be that this kid really excels under the bright lights, but he’s scored two pretty magnificent goals in the FA Cup and still has yet to score in any League One matches. But our boy is getting plenty of playing time, and we’re sure he’ll break through in that regard soon enough because he’s really got a nose for goal. Toni put those instincts on display in the FA Cup with his equalizer against Middlesbrough before his team ultimately conceded in the 86’ for the loss.

Following the FA Cup loss on Saturday, Martinez played just 61 minutes against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday, but as aforementioned couldn’t put the ball in the net this time around. Oxford United still came away with the win, though, with a 12’ goal from Conor McAleny that proved to be enough for the squad to scrape by.

George Dobson — Walsall FC (League One)

George Dobson once again subbed on late for League One outfit Walsall, and maybe that had something to do with their two very late goals in the 90’+3 and 90’+7 that put the Saddlers ahead to win 2-0 against Peterborough United at home. Walsall remain mid-table and sit at 12th place.

Sam Ford — Bishop’s Stortford (National League South)

Sam Ford played 44 minutes in a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Poole Town. The lone goal was unfortunately not scored by our man. Bishop’s Stortford sit in the relegation zone in the NLS league table at 21st. Things aren’t looking good for Ford’s first year out on loan. Ahem. Moving on.

Sam Howes — Hampton & Richmond (National League South)

Sam Howes, AKA H&R Blocker, started once again for National League South outfit Hampton & Richmond, but this one was a bit more of a challenge for the young lad, as two goals got in and his side only scored one. The Beavers are looking much better than Mr. Ford’s squad, as Hampton & Richmond now sit at 7th in the NLS table, just three points short of the ever-desirable playoff spot that could see them move up to the National League.

Jaanai Gordon — Newport County (League Two)

Jaanai came on the last two matches for Newport County, but both appearances were just ten minutes. Not much time for a striker to get settled and make a difference, and, unfortunately that’s how it played out for our man.

Martin Samuelsen — Peterborough United (League One)

Martin has been subbing on more often for League One side Peterborough United of late, making appearances in both of their last matches. Unfortunately they were both losses and Samuelsen only saw six minutes of play in Saturday’s match. On Tuesday, Samuelsen saw 66 minutes of action, but it was in a 4-1 loss to Southend United. Peterborough United sit at 9th in the table, and lost out on six points that would have been very important if they’d like to get a playoff spot, but they’ve fallen short. We’ll see in the coming weeks if our Norwegian Messi can do anything to help.

Marcus Browne — Wigan Athletic (Championship)

Marcus didn’t play this week, but it’s noteworthy that he’s been sulking on social media a bit since going on loan to Wigan and not playing much. Pretty clear this guy just needs to keep his head up and play his game and he’ll get a chance eventually. Reece Burke is more developed than Browne (albeit at a different position), and he’s not getting any playing time while on loan. Bit more worrisome for a 20-year-old defender to not be getting playing time than for a 19-year-old attacker. Browne will get his chance.

DID NOT PLAY (DNP):

• Enner Valencia
• Reece Burke
• Reece Oxford (“minor niggle”)
• Alex Pike
• Kyle Knoyle
• Josh Pask

No longer with the club:

• Luka Belic
• Stephen Hendrie