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Southampton: Mid-season loan player update – January 7th

By Nikos Lemanis

YEOVIL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Olufela Olomola of Yeovil Town reacts during the Sky Bet League Two match between Yeovil Town and Notts County at Huish Park on November 21, 2017 in Yeovil, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
YEOVIL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Olufela Olomola of Yeovil Town reacts during the Sky Bet League Two match between Yeovil Town and Notts County at Huish Park on November 21, 2017 in Yeovil, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /
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YEOVIL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Olufela Olomola of Yeovil Town celebrates his sides second goal during the Sky Bet League Two match between Yeovil Town and Stevenage Borough at Huish Park on October 28, 2017 in Yeovil, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
YEOVIL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Olufela Olomola of Yeovil Town celebrates his sides second goal during the Sky Bet League Two match between Yeovil Town and Stevenage Borough at Huish Park on October 28, 2017 in Yeovil, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /

Olufela Olomola & Marcus Barnes – Yeovil Town

For the time being Olufela Olomola is back with the Southampton under-23’s. Having spent the first half of the season with Yeovil Town in League 2, his immediate future is still unclear.

Before his spell in the south west ended, there was much talk of a loan extension, and even after he returned to Southampton it looked as if he’d be back at Yeovil by the end of January. However Marcus Barnes has since joined the Glovers this week, most likely to fill the Southampton striker-shaped gap that Olomola left.

And it’s a significant gap. Olomola ran out 21 times in the league for Yeovil, scoring 7 goals in that time. Although much of this scoring form was towards the start of the season, his contribution was enough for the club to push for a permanent deal.

It can certainly be considered a successful expedition for the 20-year-old, and the fact that Southampton chose to retain him is a positive sign for his future. Who knows, maybe Pellegrino sees Olomola as the answer to Southampton’s attacking woes, and feels the first team doesn’t need to invest in a new striker…

Heading the other way is Marcus Barnes, who has the same one-in-three league scoring record for the Southampton under-23’s this season. Recently turned 21, this is a first opportunity for him to play first team football surrounded by more senior figures. Hopefully he can match Olomola’s early form and lift the team away from trouble.

Yeovil host Bradford in a winnable FA Cup tie this weekend, so Barnes may also have a chance to face off against Premier League opponents in the next round.