CHERRIES have let a number of players head out on loan this season to gain valuable game-time at various levels of the English football pyramid, as well as further afield.

In this two-part series, we have taken a look at how each of them has got on so far, with the help of some insight from reporters who have followed their progress first-hand.

We will start with the five players who moved to EFL clubs during the summer transfer window.

Bournemouth Echo:

JAMES HILL, BLACKBURN ROVERS

12th in Championship

10 appearances, 2 assists, 810 mins played

Perhaps the biggest success in recent weeks among the loan contingent has been James Hill, who has forced his way into the starting XI at Blackburn.

The 21-year-old, who spent part of last season at Heart of Midlothian, began this season with Cherries, making his Premier League debut on the opening day, before joining Rovers for the rest of the campaign.

To get more insight, we spoke to Elliott Jackson, Blackburn Rovers reporter at the Lancashire Telegraph.

How would you assess James Hill’s loan spell at Blackburn so far? 

Hill has been fantastic so far. He had to bide his time for a place in the starting team but since coming in six weeks ago, he has started every game and deservedly so.

Rovers were on the back of a four-game losing run when he got his first start at Coventry. He came into the side and that's coincided with four wins in six. 

More importantly, the defensive record has improved massively. That's because of a tactical tweak prompted by Hill's inclusion.

Where has he fitted in most at Rovers? He prefers playing centre-back but has filled in at right-back quite a lot in the past year or so…

Hill first came into the team at right-back, though he became a third centre-back in build-up. He offered Rovers an extra natural defender and added height which helped shore up the defence.

In the last few games, he has featured at centre-back with Dom Hyam and Hayden Carter out with injuries. He's looked equally assured there, if not better. 

This is Hill’s first proper spell in the Championship. Does he look well suited to the level/do you see him playing Premier League football any time soon or does he need more time in the second tier?

Personally, I think he could be ready next season if he continues his current trajectory. He started for Rovers at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup two weeks ago and didn't put a foot wrong.

He has a lovely blend of athleticism, height and pace, which seem non-negotiables in the Premier League nowadays. He's good in possession and offers versatility too. I think he could be a useful asset to the Bournemouth squad for next season.

What were the initial thoughts of Blackburn fans when they signed Hill and has that opinion changed?

I think there were a few concerns because of Hill's age. Rovers have a very young squad, their oldest player is 28. 

So that wasn't a reflection on Hill at all but the squad needed a more experienced head, especially after letting Daniel Ayala leave in the summer. 

However, his performances have done the talking and he's now a firm fans' favourite. They are delighted with how the loan is going so far and rightly so.

Bournemouth Echo:

JAIDON ANTHONY, LEEDS UNITED

3rd in Championship

11 appearances, 1 goal, 252 mins played

Also competing in the Championship is Jaidon Anthony.

Swapping with Luis Sinisterra on deadline day, Anthony has largely been restricted to substitute appearances so far, with Daniel Farke’s men in fine form. He has in fact played just nine minutes more for Leeds than he did for Cherries earlier this season.

To see how Anthony has fared when he has got his opportunities, we spoke with Will Jackson, Leeds United reporter for Leeds Live.

How would you assess Jaidon Anthony’s loan spell at Leeds so far?

I’d describe his first few months at Leeds as nothing short of promising.

It hasn’t always been straightforward for Anthony and he has had to be patient at times, but he’s shown that he can have a real impact on this Leeds side.

He’s only made two starts with most of his appearances coming off the bench but that’s largely down to the form of those ahead of him in the pecking order.

He has struggled for regular game-time. Has that mainly been down to the form of those in front of him, or his own performances when he has played?

The form of Crysencio Summerville and Dan James on the wings certainly hasn’t helped his cause. The pair have established themselves as the two best options within Daniel Farke’s squad at present and Anthony has had a hard time forcing his way into the starting line-up.

He fared well on his first start against QPR, but he struggled on his return to the XI against Stoke and that only reinforced the above notion.

Where has Anthony fitted in most at Leeds when he has featured?

We’ve seen him on the left wing, cutting inside and attempting to make things happen. He’s seen success in that role, too, especially on the counter, breaking at speed alongside Leeds’ array of attacking talent.

Has Daniel Farke given any indication of how important he feels Anthony could be for Leeds later in the season?

Farke knows what it takes to get out of the Championship and he knows the importance of squad depth.

Anthony provides that and he’ll no doubt get his chance to have a run in the team at some point over the coming weeks or months.

What were the initial thoughts of Leeds fans when they signed Anthony and has that opinion changed?

It was hard to gauge to be honest because Anthony’s arrival was almost overshadowed by the somewhat acrimonious exit of Luis Sinisterra. There was a lot of anger and disappointment there and the Anthony deal didn’t get the attention it deserved for a few days at least.  

Once the dust had settled there was excitement and I think there has been a recognition that Leeds have got a good deal with the winger exciting supporters during his stints on the field.

JAMAL LOWE, SWANSEA CITY

17th in Championship

11 appearances, 4 goals, 2 assists, 920 mins played

The third Cherries player competing in the Championship is Jamal Lowe.

His time on the south coast looks all but over, signed to play for his former club for the rest of this season, when his Cherries contract will expire.

Lowe has already contributed six goal contributions for the Swans, which included a run of three goals in three games.

Bournemouth Echo:

MARK TRAVERS, STOKE CITY

14th in Championship

14 appearances, 2 clean sheets, 1,260 mins played

Mark Travers was also enjoying a spell of regular football in the Championship, with Stoke.

The Irishman was set to stay with the Potters all season, but was called back to Cherries as goalkeeper cover following an injury to Neto and health problems for Darren Randolph.

That left Andrei Radu as Cherries’ only fit and available senior keeper, although all four are now back in action.

Travers has not played for Cherries since returning, named an unused substitute on three occasions.

He was impressing for Stoke and could return there on loan in January.

Discussing the possibility of the 24-year-old heading back out on loan, Andoni Iraola said: “Those are decisions we will have to make in January.

“I think right now all the keepers are fighting for the position. We are working with Gareth (Stewart) and Neil Moss every day.

“They are the ones who are more responsible let’s say. We can see them fighting for position.

“It is not like I decide one and there we go. Every week they have to keep fighting, because we can make different decisions.”

Bournemouth Echo:

OWEN BEVAN, CHELTENHAM TOWN

23rd in League One

11 appearances, 800 mins played

A step down the pyramid takes us to Owen Bevan, in League One with Cheltenham.

The Robins had a wretched start to the campaign under former Cherries midfielder Wade Elliott, who was sacked. They incredibly failed to score in any their first 11 league matches, picking up just one point.

But things are on the up under new boss Darrell Clarke, with young defender Bevan, who impressed on loan at Yeovil Town last season, again catching the eye.

For more on the Wales under-21 international, we got the thoughts of Jon Palmer, who covers Cheltenham Town for Gloucestershire Live.

How would you assess Owen Bevan’s time at Cheltenham so far?

Highly impressive. Bevan has been comfortably the pick of Cheltenham Town’s seven summer loan signings and he has acquitted himself extremely well in challenging circumstances.

His prior loan experience at Yeovil Town in the National League seems to have prepared him well for the step up to League One and he plays with a maturity and composure well beyond his 20 years.

Cheltenham have been fortunate to sign some excellent young loan defenders in recent years, including Jacob Greaves (Hull City), Mattie Pollock (Watford) and Caleb Taylor (West Brom). Bevan is right up there in terms of potential, ability on the ball and attitude.

Bevan spent a lot of last season at Yeovil playing in a back three and also sometimes at right-back, where has he been fitting in at Cheltenham?

He has played in the middle and on the right of Cheltenham’s back three and looked equally at home in both roles.

He is mobile, strong in the air and is also adept at bringing the ball out, with dribbling skills and good close control.

This is the highest level he has played at, does he look comfortable in League One?

There have been some difficult games, including the 2-0 defeat by Fleetwood Town at home in Darrell Clarke’s first match in charge, but even when things have not gone to plan for Cheltenham as a team, Bevan has been able to come off the pitch with his head held high.

He certainly appears to have a bright future in the game based on his first three months with the Robins. 

PART TWO: Inconsistent’ and ‘taken to it like a fish to water’

We have insight on how Romain Faivre has performed in Ligue 1 with FC Lorient, as well as Will Dennis’s time as the number one goalkeeper at Kilmarnock.

There is also be a round-up of how players from the club’s development squad have been faring during their respective loan stints.