RICHARD CHAPLOW ON LOAN

Chaplow having today been signed on a month's loan from Preston, here is The Ugly Inside's take on it......

Whilst I welcome the return of Richard Chaplow after a gap of 4 1/2 years, I wonder whether we would have been far better sorting out a striker first.

I do applaud Nigel Adkins forward thinking in that with two central midfield players on 5 yellow cards already he is covering his bases, however, midfield is the least of our problems with around 10 midfielders already in the squad.

That being the case Im sure that NA is already looking at a possible loan signing up front, I certainly hope so, Alan Pardew definitely was, mentioning on several occsions in pre season that he wanted a striker, but strangely not being able to bring one in for one reason or another.

Chaplow impressed in his first spell on loan at the Club and certainly could get a chance here with Dean Hammond in somewhat iffy form of late, in fact taking away my concern about needing a striker first up, my only other moan is that we are only getting him for a month, I would hope that it would be a lot longer.

Another plus is that he is a player with experience, when we brought in Mellis from Chelsea last season, he was raw and it showed, but Chaplow fitted in effortlessly when we were an average Championship side, so in a lower league and a better side relatively speaking im looking forward to seeing him back in action for Saints.

However Chaplow wont recognise many faces at the Club after his four years or so away, he did play some first team games with Bart Bialkowski and of course Adam Lallana was a youth team player although not yet in the first team squad, but apart from that he wont know anyone else, emphasising just how much turmoil this club has gone through over the past few years.

On Echo website...

PRESTON would be prepared to consider extending Richard Chaplow’s Saints loan until January.

Sources in the north west have confirmed that, despite Chaplow’s successful return to first team football at St Mary’s, he remains well out of the picture under Darren Ferguson at Deepdale.

The Lilywhites are understood to be hoping to move Chaplow on on a permanent basis in the January transfer window.

Until then, they are happy for him to keep playing at Saints.

That would not only open up the possibility of Saints wanting to sign a player out of contract in just over 18 months time.

But it would also keep him in the shop window for other clubs who could consider a move for a player now playing regular first team football again.

I think Chaplow adds a different dimension and more energy to the midfield so would be keen to see Saints try and keep him.

He's been a bit up and down so far , looks rusty which will improve as he plays more games.

Certainly a useful signing though with Deano suspended v Oldham etc

I am slightly concerned as to his suitability as we progress. I don't see him setting the championship alight.