Spurs recall Andros Townsend… but who is he?

Spurs have recalled a second loan player ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Fulham, as injury problems mount.

After Redknapp announced that Jermain Defoe was a doubt through injury, it took our projected injury tally to eight (Lennon, Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas, Woodgate, Cudicini, Defoe, King), and so Andros Townsend has been recalled from MK Dons.

An England U19 international, Andros has had previous involvement with the first team squad, having joined them on their pre-season tour of Spain lat year, under Juande Ramos. He was actually used as an attacking full-back by Ramos, but his best position, without doubt, is on the left wing.

Having impressed in 10 games on-loan at Yeovil Town last season, he moved to Leyton Orient this year, where he made 17 league starts, and also came off the bench five times. Rather unexpectedly, he was recalled, and then sent to MK Dons, who are hoping to be promoted this year. He was a sub in his first game (as he hadn’t had a chance to train with the team) but has since been involved in every game that he has been available for, and Ince has spoken very highly of him.

As with Livermore, some of my previous articles cover updates on his progress (Spurs loanee update 11/02/10 and Spurs loanee update 17/01/10 for example). Some comments worth noting from the MK Dons Official Site report of their game against Tranmere:


From the first moment the on-loan Spurs teenager touched the ball, the Dons fans were swooning – in raptures at the pace with which he carried the ball, fearless in his quest to embarrass defenders.

So when the 18-year-old carved through Shaleum Logan and Paul McLaren on the left flank to set up the opening goal just six minutes in, the Cowshed must have been expecting a field day.

It was the game’s outstanding moment – Logan and McLaren left standing as Townsend burst between them, before cutting back the most inviting of drilled crosses. Pinged back at shin-height, it was a gift for any player with the technique to finish it and Puncheon, with the deft touch of Roger Federer proportions, sweetly swept it home on the half-volley.

Townsend fired just past the post after exchanging passes with Jermaine Easter in the 24th minute, but the visitors, who had consolidated admirably, went close with a long-range John Welsh effort.

Townsend went close to a debut goal with 15 minutes to go when he curled onto the roof of the net after good work from substitute Jude Stirling, on to replace the injured Danny Woodards in the first half.

And some high praise from Paul Ince after his debut:

Townsend’s impact was considerable on the stadiummk faithful, who rose to their feet time and again to applaud his dynamic wing play.

And Ince said the teenager set an example for his established players with his approach in the first half.

He added: “He was the only one in the first half, along with (Mathias) Doumbe, who looked like they wanted to be out there.

“It’s not right for me to go in at half-time and tell my players that the only one out there is an 18-year-old kid.

“That’s a lesson to us, but he exceptional, not just going forward but defensively as well. He’s slotted in superbly.”

Andros Townsend goal (vs Stockport)
Andros Townsend assist (vs Tranmere)

I’d imagine that, barring further injuies, we’ll line up as follows for this game:

Gomes
Corluka Dawson Bassong AssouEkotto
Kranjcar Modric Palacios Bale
Pavlyuchenko Crouch


Alnwick
Gudjohnsen
Dervite
Rose
Livermore
Townsend
U18 player – probably Harry Kane

Still a relatively strong first eleven, but our bench is pretty flimsy.

Join the conversation

  1. In was at the under 18s final against Arsenal last year and I was impressed with Townsend who I thought had a better game than Rose. I look forward to seeing him as well as Livermore and Rose staking their claim over the next few months.
  2. Most likely scenario;

    Harry realised Rose is better emergency CM cover than livermore. So AT is cover for Rose

    I'd be willing to bet that none of our youngsters get a chance tomo
  3. I'm delighted with the organisation on your site Windy.Now I don't know what you do for a living but if you aren't already involved in something that requires an astute sense of how to formulate order then someone needs to employ you and quickly.

    As for the game on Saturday if Crouchy does play lets hope he gets more ball to feet as in the England game,but to be honest I'm looking forward to see Gudjohnsen play a full ninety minutes.

    Foggy.
  4. Great post Windy. This must be the most technical Spurs blog out there!
  5. Adding you to my blog links. Cheers!
  6. Thanks for the comments, mate - perhaps I should use that as a tag-line?!
  7. Windy, do you think we will clear out any youth players this summer?

    Me and a mate were saying who's off this summer, and thought

    Jenas., 8m
    Bentley , 10m
    Kaboul, 6m
    Hutton, 5m
    Pav or Keane, 8-11m
    Gio, 4m
    Cudicini - nominal fee

    But what about alnwick, dervitte, taarabt. Are obika, livermore and cox likely to stay?
  8. I would like to think that Walker (Jimmy rather than Kyle), Alnwick and Dervite will move on, mate. Cox, Blackwood and Butcher look likely to leave too. I think Obika and Livermore will get another year each to impress. There will be the usual end of season clear-out of youth players who won't make it - Ekim, Jack, and O'Neill are the ones that I think will leave.

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