Loan frustrations continue for NUFC youngster after 136 minutes of football from a possible 450

After a disastrous loan spell with Blackpool earlier in the year, Elias Sorensen will be hoping for a far more productive stint with Carlisle – but it’s not started how he would have hoped.

The Danish striker scored over 20 goals in all competitions last season, impressing in our U-23 set up and finding the net 3 times in 3 games at international level, yet he was given just 30 minutes of football during his 7-week loan spell with League One side Blackpool before being recalled by the club in March.

It was a real setback for one of our most promising young talents, meaning his next loan move this summer – which our new ‘loan manager’ Shola Ameobi was tasked to sort – felt crucial to his confidence and development at senior level.

He completed a move Carlisle in August, with many expecting him to gain regular game after a drop down to League Two, however he’s started just one of five games so far – and was subbed off at half-time in that solitary start at Scunthorpe.

Here’s his game time so far, with him playing just 136 minutes out of a possible 450:

  • Mansfield (H) – Played 34 minutes from the bench
  • Cheltenham (A) – Unused substitute
  • Salford (H) – Played 31 minutes from the bench
  • Rochdale (A) – Played 26 minutes from the bench (Carabao Cup)
  • Scunthorpe (A) – Started. Played 45 minutes & subbed off at half time

It may take time for him to settle in, but him being an unused substitute, failing to start in their Carabao Cup clash with Rochdale and being hauled off at half-time during his one and only start so far may not sit too well with those tracking his progress at Newcastle United.

Many believed he was good enough to test himself in League One – and you can see why when you look at his form at U-23 and international level – yet he’s dropped down to League Two in a bid to gain regular starts and still isn’t getting them.

Hopefully things improve for him and he becomes a regular fixture in Steven Pressley’s side, or our ‘loan manager’ Shola Ameobi may need to have a word.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

5 thoughts on “Loan frustrations continue for NUFC youngster after 136 minutes of football from a possible 450

  1. So – he couldn’t get game time in our first team, or Blackpool, and he’s struggling to make it through a match at Carlisle.

    Could it be that the rest of the world is wrong?

    I don’t think so.

      (Quote)

  2. Perhaps he picked up knock?
    Perhaps it has been tactical switches?
    Perhaps he’s being gently eased in to the set up?

    Perhaps Olly could ring Shola and ask him some questions and then write the article?

      (Quote)

  3. Geoff:
    Perhaps he picked upknock?
    Perhaps it has been tactical switches?
    Perhaps he’s being gently eased in to the set up?

    Perhaps Olly could ring Shola and ask him some questions and then write the article?

    Perhaps those things could be right – all I’m saying as it’s been a frustrating start for him.

    I’d love to know more, but these are the fact so far mate.

      (Quote)

  4. When at Blackpool he had an attitude problem and didnt train hard. So maybe there is the problem. Potential or ability counts for nothing with a poor attitude !!

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *