We were recently asked by our Patreons: in an exam-style question, compare and contrast our first-half-of-the-season loanees with our second-half loanees: Obikwu and Okoronkwo versus Oné and Lloyd.

We can do that, and we’ll use some tables as well, just for fun! Of course, this is a purely stats-based analysis, backing up words with numbers, as you’d expect in an exam-style setting. They’re all League One only numbers as well.

A clear comparison between the two loan cohorts reveals a shift in profile, output, and tactical function as the season progressed, with the first-half pairing offering a more creative and ball-dominant presence, and the second-half arrivals providing greater directness, efficiency, and goal threat.

Starting with the first-half loanees, Justin Obikwu and Frankie Okoronkwo, their numbers point towards players heavily involved in general play rather than pure end product. Obikwu, with 603 minutes, and Okoronkwo, with 383, both rank lower for goals, three and one respectively, and neither contributed assists according to Wyscout. However, Obikwu stands out creatively, leading all four players with 1.04 shot assists per 90, suggesting he functioned as a connector in attacking phases rather than a finisher.

Okoronkwo’s profile is slightly different. His 56.6 total actions per 90, second only to Lloyd, and a strong 26.1 successful actions, indicate high involvement and relatively clean execution. Yet, that involvement did not translate into threat, reflected in just 0.18 xG per 90 and a very low 0.23 shots on target per 90. In essence, both players contributed to build-up and ball progression, but lacked cutting edge in the final third.

By contrast, the second-half loanees, Ryan Oné and Alfie Lloyd, show a decisive shift towards productivity in attacking areas. Oné’s output is particularly striking, five goals in 543 minutes, alongside 2.98 shots per 90 and 1.66 on target, both comfortably the highest figures. His 4.64 touches in the penalty area per 90 further underline his role as a penalty-box presence, consistently getting into scoring positions.

Lloyd complements this in a different way. While he has only one goal and one assist in 286 minutes, his underlying numbers are aggressive. He leads all players for total actions per 90 at 70.2 and offensive duels at 14.16, winning 4.09 of them, suggesting a highly combative, high-energy forward. This fits with his popularity – his late introduction means he’s fresh, and he applies that energy to literally chasing anything. His 0.39 xG per 90 is the highest of the group, which you’d feel is situational, given his late entry to most games and speed to eploit teams pushing forward.

There are also stylistic contrasts in ball-carrying and progression. Lloyd leads progressive runs per 90 with 2.52, pointing to a direct, driving approach, while Obikwu’s 1.79 and Oné’s 1.66 suggest more measured movement. Okoronkwo’s 0.94 is notably lower, reinforcing the idea that his game was less about attacking penetration – not a great look for an attacker.

Interestingly, dribbling success does not align perfectly with attacking output. Obikwu records the highest successful dribbles per 90 at 1.19, yet this does not translate into goals, whereas Oné, with fewer dribbles, is far more effective in front of goal. This highlights a key difference: the first cohort could manipulate the ball and create situations, but the second cohort attacked spaces and finished moves.

In summary, Obikwu and Okoronkwo offered involvement, ball progression, and creative support, but limited goal threat. Oné and Lloyd, on the other hand, brought intensity, direct running, and, crucially, end product. The data suggests a deliberate or necessary evolution in the loan strategy, moving from developmental, possession-involved attackers to players better suited to decisive actions in the final third.

Given all the stats we chose, which are subjective, Lloyd and Oné certainly come out as the more effective pairing. Oné for his goals and attacking threat, but Lloyd for his duels and running, which I strongly suspect tallies with the ‘eye-test’ brigade.

The Stats

All stats courtesy of Wyscout (for now, not after July, the service has been rubbish this season)

Minutes Played

How many minutes a player has appeared for, including injury time.

Actions Per 90

Actions per 90 is every involvement, be it a shot, a tackle, a duel or anything at all.

Goals and assists

Pretty sure you don’t need this one explaining.

Shots/ On Target Per 90

How many shots a player averages per 90 minutes, and how many of those are on target.

xG

The Marmite and Bovril of the stats world.

Dribbles

Or carries, depending on whether you’re pretentious or not.

Shot Assists

How many times per 90 minutes does one of our players assist a shot, goal or not.

Offensive duels per 90

Duels, which are a tackle or two players contesting a ball, where the involved player is on the attack.

Touches in the penalty area

Again, I’m pretty sure you’ve got this one sorted.

Progressive runs per 90

Like a dribble, but this time it’s a ball-carrying action where a player moves the ball forward into space significantly closer to the opponent’s goal.