http://www.ccmb.co.uk/showthread.php?424464-Loan-Watch-(30-4)
A bit late starting this, I've had to spend the evening tidying up the office and the Loan Watch Museum ready for a royal visit later in the week. No real idea why Prince Philip would want to look around, I've never had him down as a football man. I guess he's just one more person who wants to jump on the Loan Watch bandwagon, and who can blame him? It's slightly inconvenient to be honest, we're at the business end of the season and the Loan Watch Awards Night doesn't organise itself but what can I do? I'll try and hurry him along as best I can and keep the small talk to a minimum. I wonder if he'll bring his own food? I'll have to check that. I hope he won't mind signing some stuff in the gift shop, I can use them as prizes if I ever do a quiz. An Etien Velikonja inflatable hammer signed by Prince Philip, who wouldn't want to win that?
Let's start this week's round up with the denouement of the League One regular season. Good news at both ends of the table (and in the middle) for our loanees. Adam le Fondre came up with an assist and the final goal as Bolton beat Peterborough 3-0 to clinch automatic promotion. Adam is very popular there and, I'd assume, a permanent move would suit both parties. If that goes through then it's a cast iron certainty he'll score against us next season, home and away, so let's start bracing ourselves for that.
What a great day!! Promotion 🙌🏻 and a goal on top! #bwfc #ole #ole
— Adam Le Fondre (@A1F1E9) April 30, 2017
At the opposite end of the table, Deji Oshilaja's Gillingham faced a trip to their former manager Justin Edinburgh's Northampton knowing they had to equal or better Port Vale's result at Fleetwood to stay up. As it turned out, both games finished 0-0 (only Gillingham's third clean sheet of the season) so, by the skin of their teeth, Gillingham survive. A terrible season for them though. Deji said he enjoyed the challenge of the relegation battle, let's see what next season holds for him. For Stuart O'Keefe too. He finished the season with the third goal as MK Dons beat Walsall 4-1.
Matty Kennedy (pictured) was back this week after a bout of food poisoning and played ninety minutes as Plymouth came from behind to beat Crewe 2-1 to move top of League Two. A win at Russell Slade's Grimsby next week (assuming he hasn't been sacked by then) will win them the title. Emyr Huws played the full game as Ipswich lost at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Another disappointing game in a disappointing season for Ipswich and while many fans are disenchanted, the same can't be said for Emyr. He's restated his desire to play there again next season. Former City player Tom Lawrence finished second in the club's player of the season awards.
Speaking of which, Tom Adeyemi won Rotherham's player of the season this week. He hasn't ruled out staying there next season, both him and Semi Ajayi played in the 1-1 draw at Preston yesterday. Idriss Saadi came on as sub in Kortrijk's midweek win but missed yesterday's defeat at Genk. A number of Belgian clubs, including Anderlecht and Club Brugge, as well as French club Ajaccio were reportedly interested in signing Saadi but his recent dip in form has seen this interest cool. No action for Ben Wilson, Lloyd Humphries or Theo Wharton this weekend.
Goals for former players Josh Magennis, Mats Daehli, Guido Burgstaller and Filip Kiss this week. Kiss was so carried away with scoring that he completely forgot to get himself booked, I'm sure he'll make up for it next week. A first goal for David Tutonda at Barnet as they beat Grimsby 3-1. 1,200 Grimsby fans made the trip and there was a carnival atmosphere, they even hired a mariachi band to play through the game. Slade has managed there before so the fans are well aware that they'll have to make their own entertainment at matches. A sad end to the season for Jon Parkin, his two goals gave York a 2-2 draw at home to Forest Green but it wasn't quite enough as a late Guiseley goal elsewhere sent them down.