Loan Watch: Hornets Feature Heavily During Festive Period

Shaq Forde played a key role in Leyton Orient’s change of fortunes over the festive period, with the League One side winning three and losing just one of their last five league matches.

The striker has featured in all five fixtures, and started the run by grabbing an 89th-minute equaliser off the bench away to Cheltenham Town in a match Orient would go on to win thanks to a stoppage-time effort.

Following this performance off the bench, Forde started the next four matches in a hectic 10-day span over Christmas, grabbing a goal and an assist against high-flying Bolton Wanderers in a 3-2 defeat.

Forde’s inclusion and Orient’s positive run came off the back of an eight-game spell without a win, with the side moving up to 12th in the table.

Another on-loan Hornet who has been featuring regularly for his temporary club is Portuguese full-back João Ferreira.

Currently plying his trade in Italy with Serie A side Udinese, the defender has been an important part of the team, featuring in all but two of their league matches so far this campaign.

This includes three consecutive starts during the recent festive period, and he even grabbed an assist for Oier Zarraga’s opener in the eventual 1-1 draw away to Torino.

Also chipping in with an assist was striker Ashley Fletcher whilst on-loan at Sky Bet Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.

Fletcher, introduced at half-time, teed up Marvin Johnson to break the deadlock on New Year’s Day at home to Hull City. The Owls ended up with an important three points to start 2024, running out 3-1 victors.

Fletcher then went on to make his first start since early November in the side’s recent Emirates FA Cup third round victory over Cardiff City, playing the full 90 minutes.

Staying in England, German youth international Kwadwo Baah has been enjoying a prolonged run in the Burton Albion side.

The 20-year-old has started in six of the last eight fixtures, including back-to-back home wins against Blackpool and Shrewsbury Town.

Samuel Kalu is also playing regularly on his loan spell with Lausanne-Sport in the Swiss Super League.

The Nigerian winger added to his goal tally in a 1-1 draw at home to Servette FC in early December, with the team currently on their month-long winter break. They last played on December 17, and are next in action on January 20.

Several members of the Academy are out gaining experience of senior football with loan deals, including defender Scott Holding, who has hit the ground running at National League South side Dover Athletic.

After joining in mid-December, Holding has featured in all five of their matches, playing the full 90 minutes in each, and scoring his first goal for the club against Weymouth to earn the team a 1-1 draw.

His performances have impressed so much that he was awarded the team’s Player of the Month for December.

Wales youth international George Abbott also made his debut for Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Potters Bar Town on New Year’s Day, but he had to be brought off after 45 minutes due to a suspected injury.

Finally, 18-year-old South African keeper Roraigh Browne is continuing his development with Isthmian League South Central Division side Northwood, where he has made 10 appearances so far.

His most recent appearance saw him keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Met Police, making several crucial saves to hold onto the three points.

Leyton Orient image credits: Simon O'Connor