Spurs loanee update 13/12/09

Currently we have the following players out on loan:

John Bostock (17) – Brentford (until 13th December 2009)
Sam Cox (19) – Histon (until 13th December 2009)
Calum Butcher (18) – Barnet (until 26th December 2009)
Andros Townsend (18) – Leyton Orient (until 31st December 2009)
Troy Archibald-Henville (21) – Exeter City (until ?? December 2009)
Adam Smith (18) – Torquay United (until January 2010)
David Button (20) – Shrewsbury Town (until January 2010)
Jake Livermore (20) – Derby County (until January 2010)
Jamie O’Hara (23) – Portsmouth (until January 2010)
Tomas Pekhart (20) – Slavia Prague (until 2nd Feb 2010)
Adel Taarabt – QPR (until the end of the season)
Kyle Walker (19) – Sheffield United (until the end of the season)
Jon Obika (19) – Yeovil Town (until the end of the season)
Ryan Mason (18) – Yeovil Town (until the end of the season)
Steven Caulker (17) – Yeovil Town (until the end of the season)
Mirko Ranieri (17) – Ipswich Town (until the end of the season)

Now returned from loan:

Adam Smith – Wycombe Wanderers
Ben Alnwick – Norwich City
Lee Butcher – Grays Athletic
Dean Parrett – Aldershot Town
David Button – Crewe Alexandra
Sam Cox – Cheltenham Town
Danny Rose – Peterborough
Lee Butcher – Leyton Orient
Oscar Jansson – Exeter City

Troy Archibald-Henville found himself back on the bench this weekend, and was an unused sub for Exeter City. He did start last week, and was actually named Man of the Match, so it was a little odd to see him benched. However, he has had a virus, so it could simply be that he couldn’t manage the game this week.

John Bostock played 80 minutes for Brentford in a 0-0 draw with League One leaders, Leeds. Brentford Official Site report:

The Bees nearly edged ahead early on when Casper Ankergren failed to gather a John Bostock corner and Leon Legge’s header had to be hacked to safety.

Ryan Dickson did so often to good effect and Kevin O’Connor headed a Bostock cross wide when he pushed forward.

MacDonald had a shot blocked, substitute Sam Saunders saw a free kick deflect wide and Bostock shot wide from the edge of the box.

Fan comments:

“Bostock drifted in and out”

“Would’ve liked to have seen Bostock pick the easier pass on a few occasions today. “

“obviously i’d like Bostock as well I think the other two are actually more important to us at the moment. Thought Sam Saunders did himself no harm in a useful little cameo if we can’t get Bostock then he needs to step up and show us what he can really do.”

“Bostock showed in youth and gave the ball away far to much – He was quickly sussed by Leeds who got him tom play on his wrong foot.”

“it was Bostock’s last game, unless another deal can be done.”

“Least impressive players were Bostock, who looked v tired and lost on the left wing”

Bostock also played two games in a week last week for Brentford, and gave an interview after one:

It took his tally to two goals and two assists in five Brentford appearances and he said he is “loving” his time at the club.

He also did not rule out extending his stay past the one-month initial loan.

“I’m delighted,” said Bostock. “I had a decent game and got the assist but the most important thing was the three points.

“We won the FA Cup game on Saturday and that gave us a bit of a lift coming into tonight.

“I scored two on my début and that’s tough to live up to.

“There are high expectations and because I come from a big club everyone expects me to show more.

“Hopefully I can show there is more to me that just goals.

“I’m loving it here, I’m enjoying it.

“It’s about playing competitive football – we are in a league, we are battling, we are fighting, it’s tough.

“At Tottenham I was playing youth or reserves, this is better for me I’m learning.

“My loan is up quite soon, I’m happy playing games here and I want to keep playing more football.

“I will let the gaffer [Andy Scott] speak to Tottenham and see what happens.”

His loan comes to an end this weekend, and it’ll be interesting to see whether a deal can be done.

Calum Butcher played 90 minutes for Barnet. Barnet Official Site match report will appear here. This was Calum’s third appearance (two league and one cup), and he seems to have done OK so far.

John McDermott’s comments on Butcher’s loan:

Tottenham academy chief John McDermott is happy to see defender Calum Butcher playing on-loan at Barnet.

On the weekend, Butcher for Barnet in a 1-1 draw against high-flying Bournemouth in League Two.

McDermott told the Spurs website: “I’m delighted for Calum because it’s been a bit of a mill stone around his neck,” added John. “All his team-mates have made their debuts but he’s suffered with illness and he’s probably been green with envy as his peers play league football all over the country.

“Barnet needed a centre-half and their manager Ian Hendon spoke to us today (Wednesday) and was very complimentary about him.”

Andros Townsend played 90 minutes for Leyton Orient as they lost 1-2 at home. Leyton Orient Official Site report:

Two minutes later Andros Townsend created space in the visitors’ box to fire in a right footed shot that took a huge deflection off Luke Howell and rolled inches wide with goalkeeper Willy Gueret beaten.

Townsend was being subjected to some rough treatment from the Dons defenders in the opening stages, with both Darren Powell and Howell picking up bookings for fouls on the O’s winger.

Couple of comments from the forum:

“Townsend 7” (x 2!)

“Townsend was good in 1st half and disappeared as usual in the second.”

“Townsend – 6 – after being on the receiving end of those early challenges, you could tell he was being bullied out of the game as he looked afraid to go past his fullback.”

He has got himself back in the side on a regular basis, and seems to be in a decent run of form.

Adam Smith played 90 minutes for Torquay United, as they won 5-0 at home against Darlington. Torquay United Official Site report.

Fan comments:

“Smith – 8/10 Showed some electrifying skills on his usual left flank but less convincing when switched to the right” [odd, because he’s primarily a right-back!]

“Smith 7/10 – Good ability, and some good defensive work.”

The Torquay manager seems pleased with Smith, and I was encouraged by some sensible comments from him:

MANAGER Paul Buckle took on-loan defender Adam Smith off during the second half of last Saturday’s 4-2 defeat at Accrington Stanley, but the Gulls’ boss still hopes that the 18-year-old Spurs starlet will be at Plainmoor for some time to come.

Smith, who can play either right-back or left-back, has been an instant hit with Gulls fans for his spirited and skilful displays in attack and defence.

He has to be decent, stepping into the place made his own by Kevin Nicholson for more than two distinguished years.

But Buckle’s decision to withdraw Smith at the Crown Ground was prompted by more than simple events on the day.

“With young lads like Adam, their bodies aren’t used to playing week-in and week-out, and two games a week at that, in League Two,” said Buckle.

“He hasn’t had to carry that sort of workload before.

“And I would like to see the stats on the ground Adam has covered in the games he’s played for us, because it’s probably among the best in the team.

“Sometimes you have to act in those situations, before a young player has to go too far.

“That’s when you run the risk of them getting hurt or not doing them any favours.”

Smith’s initial 28-day loan runs out after next Saturday’s League Two trip to Crewe Alexandra.

But don’t be surprised if United go back to Spurs to extend that agreement by some time.

I understand that Torquay have an understanding with Tottenham — Buckle is a friend of Spurs youth coach Alex Inglethorpe — that Smith will be able to stay at Plainmoor as long as all parties are happy.

“We would like Adam to be with us for a while, but we’ll have to tackle that when his first month finishes,” said Buckle.

David Button kept a clean sheet for Shrewsbury Town. Shrewsbury Town Official Site report:

But the man who had scored the goal at Blundell Park 12 months ago to win the corresponding fixture for the Humberside club, could only direct his powder-puff attempt at a grateful – and previously redundant – David Button.

It was his third match, and his second clean sheet, so things are certainly going better than his Bournemouth loan!

Jake Livermore was an unused sub for Derby County, as they won 0-1 away at Watford. He has been back on the bench lately – unused in the last three games.

Jamie O’Hara played 90 minutes, as Portsmouth got a 1-1 draw at Sunderland. Yet another 7/10 performance according to Pompey Mad. Last week he played 90 minutes and got an assist with a fantastic cross which Dindane headed home. Also worth noting that he picked up some Fantasy Football bonus points again! He has undoubtedly been one of the stand-out performers for Portsmouth since he joined.

Kyle Walker played 90 minutes this week as Sheffield United won 2-0 at home against Crystal Palace. Sheffield United Official Site report:

On the hour Danns became the third Palace player to be shown the yellow card following a crude challenge on Walker and Sears was Warnock’s final throw of the dice when he replaced Ertl.

United’s appeals for a penalty were turned down although it was clear that Hill deflected Ward’s cross with his arm, although the Palace left-back did go into the book less than 30 seconds later for his late foul on Walker.

Walker, after attacking at pace down the right, shot over the angle of crossbar and post on 74 minutes, whilst a rare Palace chance saw Danns fire wide with a first-time half-volley.

And another glowing report from “Deadbeat” on the Sheffield United Official Site:

Walker 7.5/10
Just looked head and shoulders above most on the park for much of the game. At times he maybe tries to do too much in the defensive areas but going forward he is so dynamic and two Palace defenders got booked due to not realising how quick and powerful he is. The greatest compliment I can pay him is that whenever the ball goes near him I either think we will snuff out danger if he is defending or if he is attacking then we may create a chance.

Not the first time that he’s said that Walker has looked head and shoulders above the other players.

Jon Obika came off the bench on 81 minutes to score for Yeovil Town. Ryan Mason and Steven Caulker both played 90 minutes. Yeovil Town Official Site report:

Shaun MacDonald equalised immediately before a 90th minute header from substitute Jonathan Obika gave Yeovil a 3-2 lead. Doherty then flicked in the late leveller with seconds left on the clock.

The striker put Yeovil into the lead on twenty minutes. Ryan Mason’s floated corner found Steven Caulker and the big defender’s header was flicked in by Bowditch to his own personal delight.

half time interval over, the game really livened up. Mason’s shot was blocked enough to take the sting out of it for Forster to collect.

Caulker went on a rampaging run soon afterwards before he was dispossessed in the middle but the next chance wasn’t far away.

Jon Obika came on with seven minutes to go and within four minutes, found himself in the referee’s notebook, somewhat harshly, for a late challenge on Drury.

He was closely followed by his Spurs colleague Mason who also seemed unlucky to get a yellow card.

The Glovers took the lead forty seconds into stoppage time when Alcock’s cross was glanced home by Obika to send the home fans into a frenzy.

Fan comment:

I also agree about the defence, Caulker was superb, along with Alcock, thought Smith was poor, and Forbes all round game for me is not upto the standard of those around him.

The trio actually had their worst games for Yeovil two Tuesday’s ago, so it’s good to see them bounce back a bit this week. Well worth a read of Taff’s Gloversblog for some reports.

Sam Cox‘s Histon play on Tuesday – although I’m unsure on whether he’s even still there and being considered for selection.

Mirko Ranieri played for Ipswich Town U18s yesterday, and kept a clean sheet. Ipswich Town Official Site report:

Palace started the stronger of the two sides and had a great chance of scoring the opener in the fourth minute when Jake Caprice found himself with the ball in front of goal but a great one handed save from Mirko Ranieri saw the shot deflected over the bar.

Minutes later Town ‘keeper Ranieri made a vital save low to his right after a James Comley strike.

Palace almost found a way back into the game near the end but Ranieri dived out from his goal to prevent the cross from reaching any Palace players.

Tomas Pekhart wasn’t involved for Slavia Prague last Wednesday, and they next play on Thursday. I still have no idea why he’s not playing – he could easily be injured.

Adel Taarabt‘s QPR are away at West Brom on Monday. Adel was on the bench for the Watford game last week, and came on with half an hour to go.