Loan stars give us real quality

KEY PLAYER . . . Matt Derbyshire (left) is vital to the cause.

Athletic’s striker writes every week for Chron Sport
WE HAVE been looking for a striker in the mould of Matt Derbyshire for quite a while.

In terms of the type of game Jose Baxter and I play, a player capable of getting in behind defences is absolutely key.

Matt is a goal scorer too, as he has proven for us already. Players of his quality are scarce - I’m sure the club will be doing everything in its power to keep him on when his loan expires.

Our other recent loan signing, Reece Wabara, has looked the part too. In fact, he has looked every inch what he is — an up-and-coming player at Manchester City.

Now he is getting first-team football on a regular basis, it is clear he is going to be a very good player.

He is confident in everything: even when he was moved to centre-back at the weekend it didn't faze him. He could probably play anywhere on the field and adapt accordingly.



The team performance we put in against Preston was brilliant, particularly given that they are reputed to be one of the fittest sides in the division.

We completely ran over the top of them with superior fitness and strength and they couldn't live with us.

In fairness, they had a few chances before we got our first goal. But once Jose's special free-kick found the top corner, there was only going to be one winner.

I was really pleased for Cristian Montano in getting our second goal. He has been waiting for quite a while to unveil his celebration dance and finally he got the chance to perform it in front of our own supporters.

Dean Furman's effort rounded things off, but we were disappointed to concede right at the end.

The manager let us know in no uncertain terms what he thought of that and it was the first thing he mentioned to us after the game.

Dean is on international duty again now and while that is great for him, it is not so good for us as we lose him for the Sheffield game.

I believe he and James Wesolowski won us the match at Crewe. Again on Saturday, they bossed the game and didn't give Preston a moment's relief. Their contribution allows others to express themselves.

But people who have been at the club longer than I have say that we have got the strongest squad for a long time. Now is the time to prove it, with our captain missing.