Championship side Sheffield Wednesday sent young forward Bailey Cadamarteri on loan to League One side Lincoln City in the summer, in an attempt to continue his development.
The Imps have a track record of unlocking the potential of forwards with Joe Taylor, Brennan Johnson and Morgan Rogers all gaining vital experience whilst on loan at Sincil Bank. Having missed out on bringing Luton Town forward Taylor back to the club, they turned to Cadamarteri as the alternative.
The youngster has not been an immediate starter so far this season having to battle with Jovon Makama for a spot, with the academy graduate more often than not being favoured in the forward line alongside Ben House.
Despite this, the 19-year-old Championship loanee is currently the club’s top scorer with six goals in all competitions, having only started in seven League One games to date.
There has been some criticism from sections of the fanbase over manager Michael Skubala’s choice to play Makama in his front line despite the club struggling for goals.
What has Skubala said about Cadamarteri?
Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, the Imps boss praised the forward whilst also pointing to his all-round game as perhaps the reason he has not started more.
“Like all the players that are fighting for minutes he will want more, but he’s progressing well, we’re seeing improvements in his game all the time. He’s got a good eye for goal, and got another good goal against Morecambe, but it’s his all-round game that probably needs progressing.
“Sometimes, like Danny Röhl says, they come to be loaned and develop, but part of that is trying to get in the team, trying to get in against other experienced players, and I think he’s fighting for his place like every other player. But his attitude is fantastic, his work ethic is fantastic, and his parent club, Sheffield Wednesday, are really happy as well because he’s seeing a progression in his all-round game.
“If he keeps growing he’s growing he’s going to be a really good player hopefully for us in the future, but also for Sheffield Wednesday.”
What does this mean for Sheffield Wednesday?
It is clear the two clubs are in dialogue about his progression, it is perhaps easy to point to the club’s lack of goals and his lack of starts as a point of contention, however the overall development of the player is something that is clearly being worked on.
Strikers are ultimately judged by their goalscoring ability, but to have a striker who can provide a lot more, with the ability to press, assist, pull defenders out of position and force mistakes in the oppositions’ back line then they are more of an asset than just a goal poacher. With his ability and dedication, it is increasingly likely that the club will continue to develop him further which will only bode well for the Owls.