The past two weeks has seen heartbreak and jubilation for several EFL sides, as the playoffs proved who was worth their mettle and who would be spending more time in each respective league.
It was also an opportunity for each club’s loan heroes to prove themselves on one of the biggest platforms in English football and become the hero their club deserved.
Over the years we’ve seen various loan stars shining in the playoffs and playing instrumental roles in seeing their sides promoted.
Here are your 2022/23 EFL League One loan stars from each club:
Reece James – Sheffield Wednesday
Whilst the first leg was one to forget for any member of the Owls’ defence, James made up for it by scoring to make it 3-0 in the second leg comeback against Peterborough and went on to showcase some impressive defensive skills in the final against Barnsley, the Blackpool loanee playing 103 minutes and putting in five tackles, four clearances, whilst also making one interception and one block.
An impressive outing for the 29-year-old, who may yet have a future at parent club Blackpool, with the Tangerines relegation confirmed earlier this season.
Harry Isted – Barnsley
Having been a mainstay in the sticks since joining on loan from Luton in January, Isted has impressed for the Tykes this season, maintaining consistent performances that carried through into the playoffs. He made a string of important saves to deny Wednesday a sniff at goal on Monday, which included a stunning stop to deny Michael Smith from scoring. He also proved to be the hero across the two legs against Bolton, conceding just one goal, in comparison to the frenzy between Peterborough and Wednesday.
As parent club Luton Town finished their journey to the top of the English football pyramid this season, a goalkeeper of Isted’s quality shouldn’t be warming the bench next year. It’ll be interesting to see whether he’s used in the top flight, if the Hatters can’t secure the services of Horvath again or finalise a deal to bring in another goalkeeper.
Conor Bradley – Bolton Wanderers
After years of uncertainty and struggling at Bolton, it’s great to see the Trotters putting themselves in good positions high up the table. Whilst they weren’t able to reach the playoff final this time round, the performance of Liverpool loanee Conor Bradley should not go unnoticed. The 19-year-old had a stellar outing in the playoffs, the 1-1 draw against Barnsley in the first leg seeing him put up impressive numbers, including one key pass, two tackles and interceptions apiece and five clearances.
Klopp’s side have another bright young defensive player on their hands, with the potential for attacking talent to be brought out with a loan move to the Championship next year. Potentially, if we see Trent Alexander-Arnold move into a CM position in years to come, Bradley could fill the vacant RB spot with a few more loan moves to nurture his talent.
Will Norris – Peterborough United
It was always going to be tough to choose a Peterborough loanee, but Norris performed admirably in the sticks in the first leg against Sheffield Wednesday, producing a number of saves to deny Wednesday the opportunity to take something away from the game. That being said, it was a horrendous team capitulation that cost Norris and his teammates a spot in the playoff final and potential promotion to the Championship.
Norris is another keeper who may look to be moved on by parent club Burnley, with his contract expiring at the end of this month. Having performed admirably when called upon for the Posh in this loan spell, it’s fair to assume he’ll be picked up any semi decent League One side, to have another crack at promotion to the second tier.
That was our picks for the loan players that caught our eye in the playoffs this season! Come back tomorrow for our picks from the Championship playoffs!
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