Loan signings, can City manage without them ?
A great "nose" for loans has been a key to City's promotion push

THE CUNNING FOX, 25.04.2010

Nigel Pearson has shown that he knows how to pick a good loan player. He did it last season with Mark Davies, Wayne Brown, Kerrea Gilbert, Jack Hobbs and Tom Cleverley and during this campaign it has not been any different.

Martyn Waghorn joined Leicester from Sunderland before the season and the teenage forward has done fantastic while at the club. His loan was first agreed to January but was done for the full season.

Especially after Matty Fryatt was injured, it has been great to have Waghorn. He has scored a number of key goals and contributed well. James Voughan joined us from Everton and is another good signing.

Jay Spearing from Liverpool has also been involved, so has Man City defender Ryan McGivern. None of them is Leicester players but all of them have had great importance.

So what is so vital with loan signings ?

Over the last four or five seasons this is the only way for smaller clubs to make a difference. The fact that clubs at a lower level can loan during the season makes it possible to keep a smaller squad and at the same time add  the right type of player at the right time.

You can also bring in a player that is well suited for just this level, and that you can let go if you feel that he will not be able to help us on a new level. This has worked wonders for City.

If City gets promoted to the Premier League we might go out and loan new players, but the quality will be at a higher level and players with more "Premier League" experience.