Spurs loanee update 04/10/10
Currently we have the following players out on loan:
David Button – Plymouth Argyle (season)
Dean Parrett – Plymouth Argyle (season, with a recall clause after 28 days due to it being a youth loan)
John Bostock – Hull City (season)
Andros Townsend – Ipswich Town (season)
Jake Livermore – Ipswich Town (until November 13)
Ryan Mason – Doncaster Rovers (season, with a recall clause after 28 days due to it being a youth loan)
Jon Obika – Crystal Palace (season, with a recall clause after 28 days due to it being a youth loan)
Danny Rose – Bristol City (season, with a recall clause after 28 days due to it being a youth loan)
Steven Caulker – Bristol City (season, with a recall clause after 28 days due to it being a youth loan)
Kyle Walker – QPR (until October 11th)
Adam Smith – Bournemouth (until October 23rd)
Paul-Jose M’Poku – Leyton Orient (until October 24th)
Now returned:
Oscar Jansson – Northampton Town (5th September)
Dean Parrett was a 73rd minute sub for Plymouth Argyle this weekend, although it has been a mixed start for him, starting only three, and being brought on in two. The last game that he started was 11th September, and he was taken off at half-time in that one. In the same game, David Button went off injured, and hasn’t been seen since.
John Bostock was an unused sub for Hull City in a 0-0 draw with Coventry this weekend, as he had been for their previous two matches. He has mainly been used off a lone front man, which means that he is unlikely to start every game, as it does restrict them a little. In the Forest game, they went with a 4-3-1-2 formation in order to accommodate him behind Simpson and Fagan.
Andros Townsend and Jake Livermore both played 90 minutes for Ipswich Town in a 2-1 win over Leeds, Livermore’s first start. Ipswich site report:
Scotland struck on 18 minutes, rounding Shane Higgs to put the ball into the empty net after Jake Livermore had found him with an incisive pass.
Naylor blocked the progress of Jaime Peters as the Canada international attempted to burst into the box, Smith then denying Davide Somma at the other end before Blues got the breakthrough on 18 minutes. Livermore the creator with a pass to set Scotland in on goal and the striker rounded Higgs before planting the ball in the empty net.
The last action of the half saw Somma cut inside from the Leeds’ left but his shot failed to trouble Marton Fulop while at the other end, Higgs had a scare when Neill Collins chested Andros Townsend’s cross at him from close range.
Bruce picked up the first yellow card of the game for a foul on Townsend and Blues should have extended the lead from the free-kick, the ball falling to Scotland six yards out but he lashed it over the bar.
Townsend had a shot deflected over by Bruce, the Tottenham loanee then setting up Scotland who jabbed the ball goalwards, Brown equal to the task.
Bruce’s return ended 12 minutes early, the defender caught Townsend as he stretched for the ball and referee Hill reached for a second yellow card and then red.
Roy Keane on Livermore:
We got a good start with Jason’s goal. It was a terrific pass from Jake [Livermore]. That little bit of quality you need but Jason still had a lot to do.
Video of the Ipswich goals – good work from Livermore for the first.
And Keane has been speaking about both of them again today:
Town boss Roy Keane was delighted with Tottenham pair Jake Livermore and Andros Townsend after the Blues’ 2-1 victory over Leeds at Portman Road on Saturday. Livermore made his first start for his loan club and Townsend completed the first full 90 minutes of his spell at Portman Road.
Keane was pleased with Livermore, who created Jason Scotland’s opener: “He was excellent. You can see why he’s a Tottenham boy.
“That final ball today was very, very good and that will make or break what level you’re eventually going to play at. That was a good one and Jason finished it very well.”
The Blues boss had similar praise for Townsend: “Andros I thought was outstanding, getting at Alex Bruce a lot. He’s one of those old fashioned wingers, there aren’t many around at the moment.
“It was the first time I’ve kept him on for 90 minutes, we’ve been worrying about his fitness. I would probably have liked to have given Jake 60 or 70 minutes because he hasn’t played a full game for a while, aside from one or two behind closed doors matches with Tottenham.”
Keane says he gave Townsend no specific instruction to run at former Blue Bruce, who was red-carded for two fouls on the 19-year-old: “Andros doesn’t need any encouragement from me to go at full-backs. But if you’re on a yellow card and Andros is running at you there’s a good chance you’re going to get in a bit of trouble. I think it was a second yellow, I don’t think there was any doubt about it.
“I would never say to a player to attack a certain player to hope that he got in a bit of trouble. We’d hope he’d attack him to get by him to put a ball in the box. If you’re a defender, you wouldn’t like to play against Andros.
“We’re very grateful to have these two boys, especially with us missing Luke and Chuck. I’m grateful to Tottenham, just like I was grateful to clubs last year, like Sunderland when they were lending us players.”
Loads of positive stuff on the Ipswich forums. From a thread called ‘Thank god for Townsend‘:
“His performance at the end almost makes you forget how poor we were today. Not seen a left-wing performance like that since Bobby Petta. Liked the look of Livermore too. Defence solid, wingers dangerous, but creatively in midfield we are utterly bereft. We can’t put three passes together. Would like to see Livermore retain his place over the out of form Leadbitter for the next game. The formation should have been 4-4-2, and when it wasn’t working we should have changed it quicker.”
And from their match ratings thread:
“Townsend – first half bypassed, when rest of team decided to use him he was unplayable. My MOTM.
Livermore – nervy start, killer pass, massive engine, must keep his place.”
Couple more comments on Livermore:
“Impressed me today. Looked strong on the ball. Made some tackles. Good passes. Think he will become a permanent fixture in the midfield. But who makes way?”
“Livermore was excellent. Always looking for the ball and showed a good workrate as well as creating the chance for the first goal. Looked a bit leggy towards the end but kept going and better fitness will come with games.”
Townsend, who of course missed three games through suspension, has now started seven times, even linking up well with supposed Spurs target Connor Wickham in the Cardiff game:
Jay Bothroyd hooked over following a free-kick before Town began to get a foothold in the game and on 13 minutes – in Blues’ first opening – Wickham got on the end of Andros Townsend’s pass and burst into the Cardiff box before Gyepes’ challenge brought him to the ground.
Edwards dragged his shot wide then Townsend, who was bright throughout the first-half, poked an effort a yard wide after David Marshall hesitated from a Grant Leadbitter free-kick.
Marshall gathered easily from Wickham’s header following an Edwards throw, then Townsend sent a free-kick just over.
Townsend and Wickham linked up – not for the first time – the Tottenham loanee feeding the teenager down the left channel, Wickham’s shot deflected wide by Gyepes as the half came to a close.
Cardiff made two changes at the break, Gavin Rae and Matthews on for McPhail and Kevin McNaughton but it was Town who started on the front foot, Wickham denied by Gyepes’ desperate challenge after Townsend’s cross had only been partly cleared.
Ryan Mason missed out for Doncaster Rovers again this weekend. He has been struggling with a back injury, but was mainly being used as a sub. I would like to see him force his way into the starting line-up, but I think that Sherwood will need to be speaking to Sean O’Driscoll on a regular basis, as there’s no point in leaving him there if he’s not going to play.
Jon Obika has had a calf injury, and is in a similar position to Mason – he has been used solely as a sub for Crystal Palace, and I’d like to think that we are monitoring that one closely as well; perhaps he should be at a League One club again?
Danny Rose and Steven Caulker both played 90 minutes for Bristol City in their 0-3 home defeat to Norwich this weekend. It was Caulker’s second start, and Rose has now started four and been brought on in one. City’s boss Keith Millen has been speaking this week about the work he put in to land these two:
“It’s really difficult to get these players because so many clubs are after them. It’s all about building relationships and it definitely helps if you know the management at the bigger clubs.
I’ve been to watch Tottenham training sessions on a number of occasions and I know Harry Redknapp, Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond. I’ve been down there a lot to watch practice games and got to know people that way.
It’s important to build those personal relationships so that, when you ask to take a player, the management know who you are. There is a lot of work that goes into it and we have also made good contacts at Arsenal this year.
It’s difficult for me to go sometimes because I don’t have the time but if I can’t go, then there are other people I can send.”
And Caulker has been speaking sensibly about his career – Bright prospect Caulker is on a fast track to the top:
STEVEN Caulker is a young man who knows exactly where he is headed.
His initial goal is to establish himself as a first-choice selection in Tottenham’s Premier League side, while looking further ahead, he dreams of playing for his country.
If nine months spent in League One with Yeovil Town last season represented a necessary first step on the path to stardom, a similar loan move to Bristol City now offers the 18-year-old England youth international a timely opportunity to hasten the learning process.
Having spoken to Spurs manager Harry Redknapp prior to travelling West earlier this week, the Londoner knows an impressive stint at Ashton Gate will enable him to take a considerable step in the direction of achieving his ambitions.
Judging by his debut at Portsmouth on Tuesday night, Caulker will almost certainly be afforded an opportunity to introduce himself to the Ashton Gate faithful against Norwich City tomorrow.
“I’m here to learn and progress my own game,” said the 6ft 3in central defender, who speaks with a self-assurance that belies his years.
“The time I spent with Yeovil was really important, as it gave me experience of playing first-team football against grown men and in front of crowds.“You don’t get that as a kid and you don’t usually play week in and week out like you do in the Football League. Playing for Yeovil toughened me up a lot, not just physically, but also mentally.
“It was my first taste of League football and it did me far more good than playing in the reserves at Tottenham or training ever did.
“Bristol City are a good club in a higher league and testing myself in the Championship is a natural next step for me at this stage.
“I spoke to Harry Redknapp and he said he wanted me to go to City because they would look after me and help me improve as a player.
“I decided to call Danny Rose, who moved to City a month earlier, and ask him what he thought and he said only good things about the club. But it was Harry Redknapp who made the decision and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
It is perhaps just as well Caulker enjoys a challenge, given the level of competition at White Hart Lane. Although he was handed his senior Tottenham debut in last week’s Carling Cup derby showdown with Arsenal, the teenager remains quite a way down the pecking order.
Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Sebastien Bassong, William Gallas, Younes Kaboul and Vedran Corluka all stand between Caulker and the first team. But the youngster is highly thought of by Redknapp.
“There are so many good central defenders at Tottenham, it can seem a bit daunting,” admitted Caulker. “But I like competition and I’m hoping playing in the Championship will enable me to push for selection when I return to the club.
“It was a great experience to make my debut in a north London derby, even if the result was disappointing (Arsenal won 4-1). But I realise I am still learning the game and it is going to take time and a lot of hard work before I can push for a first-team place at Tottenham.
“Of course, my aim is to become a Premier League player and I hope I can move a step nearer achieving that goal while helping Bristol City at the same time.”
If Caulker’s performances in League One are anything to go by – he made 44 appearances for Yeovil – City have recruited a player with outstanding potential.
Millen feared the worst when he saw the defender selected to face Arsenal and then named in the squad for the following game at West Ham United.
But Redknapp eventually agreed to Millen’s request and City fans now be hoping Caulker reproduces the form that saw him sweep the board at Yeovil’s end-of-season awards ceremony in May.
At a loose end on the opening day of the League One season, the youngster drove from London to see his former Yeovil team-mates.
“He’s a really good lad and he’s joined in with the rest of the boys, which is important,” said Millen. “Sometimes you need to give young players time to settle in when they move, but not in Steven’s case. It probably helps that he has Danny Rose, here, but he seems to get on with absolutely everybody and is a breath of fresh air.“
Kyle Walker played his fifth full 90 for QPR as they won 1-2 at Crystal Palace. He has won rave reviews so far – this thread on a QPR forum is a nice example:
“The guy is outstanding.”
“Walker is an absolute class act and it will be a steal on the Taarabt scale if we convince them to sell. I think an extension of the loan is our only real option. I’m just hoping Alan Hutton keeps fit and in form.”
“Top class.. please sign him up,at least a season long loan.”
“Very good defensively, and excellent going forward.”
Adam Smith was sent off in the 87th minute for two bookable offences as Bournemouth lost 2-0 at Southampton. Bournemouth site report:
Steven Fletcher felt he was fouled by Jose Fonte on several occasions and had good shouts for penalties turned down as the visitors began to get more and more frustrated, culminating in a red card for Adam Smith. After receiving his first yellow for a late foul on Dan Harding, the second came with minutes remaining. Jason Puncheon burst down the wing and knocked the ball forwards before Smith tried to intercept. It was another late foul and one which meant he will have to miss next week’s clash at Brighton.
This is a blemish on an otherwise good start for Smith, who won a penalty on his debut and received high praise from Bournemouth fans:
“I thought he played very well and looked impressive.
Got forward well, some good crosses into the box and it was down to him that we got the penalty.”
“played well showed that he was from a premiership side with some of his touchs.His booking was not deserved and i think he would make a welcome long term loan.”
“One of the better performers. Balanced in how he defended and attacked and looked good with Feeney down the right and has a bit of flair about him too.”
“Good game, almost as good as Wiggins and he’s still only a young lad. Confident forward runs and got back quickly.
His booking was deserved, and very clever. One of the things we’ve lacked over the years is players who know when they need to concede a foul and take a booking. If Smith hadn’t today and allowed his man to look up – Carlisle had 3 players running clean through as our defence and midfield were caught on the break.”
“He’s a tad short, needs to add a bit of muscle one feels.
Hard to really judge defensively, but was good going forward.
He certainly is confident and involved himself a lot.
A jolly promising debut methought.”
And finally, Paul-Jose M’Poku was an unused sub for Leyton Orient at the weekend, but came off the bench in the 66th minute to make his league debut last Tuesday – congratulations to him! Nice comment on his cameo from an Orient forum:
“The only positive was the performance of M’Poku who at least looked comfortable on the ball and willing to take on the defence, although his tendency to dive full length when challenged is not great to see.”
Join the conversation
Feel that Caulker, Rose and Townsend have the most to prove, and look forward to seeing it pan out.
Parret and Bostock have the (often counter-productive) wonderkid label, but don't seem to be doing as well as could be hoped.
From what I've seen of Parret though I shouldn't be too worried, Plymouth are in a relegation battle and a 17 yr old only used to youth games is often not going to be at ease in a situation like that. I remember Adel being an unused sub for QPR at first, before he grew into the league a bit.
1) Older academy grads the cusp of our fringe squad and should be standing out in the championship -
Players who are: TOWNSEND, WALKER
Players who are expected to: CAULKER
Players who might: ROSE, MASON, LIVERMORE
Players who aren't atm: BOSTOCK, OBIKA
2) Academy players on shorter term loans to lower leagues, expected to find their feet and acquit themselves well at that level
Players who are: BUTTON
Players who are expected to: SMITH
Players who might: M'POKU
Players who aren't atm: PARRET
Caulker would have a good chance of making it when he returns next year assuming he progresses.
Ledley could bow out at any time. Gallas is no spring chicken and hasn't looked that good.
Corluka isn't a natural centre half and Kaboul has something to prove in that position.
So he's only got
When you said you'll have something in an hour, I thought it might just be a couple of short paragraphs and bullet points. Some bloggers seem to get paid by advertisers for utter drivel - with your stuff, there's nothing but quality content.
We've got such a wealth of up and coming talent on our books, much more so than I can ever remember before. With proven talent like the wonderful Kranjcar not even able to get a proper game so far this season, how hard is it for some of the young-uns to get a look in. I do hope one or two force a look-in.
Agreed that Caulker is the most likely preciselty because of the issues with woody and ledders, but if Walker carries on as is with our west london neighbours, he'll be the other one with a big chance to step up.
In my eyes, Townsend is already back up to Bale, and Livermore (with adequate game time) could seal a place as backup to THudd.
Will look out for feedback
"Ok gents, I was there tonight and as per normal we had the lions share of the ball and couldn't find the back of the net. M'poku showed some brilliant skill tonight, Poor brentford couldn't cope with him all evening"
"M'poku did get subbed through injury, though it looked like it was only cramp. If he is fit, then on that performance he should get a start in Saturday. What was also impressive was how strong he was on the ball and won quite a few headers as well."
"The Spurs loanee was easily our best player. Did lots - incredibly comfortable running with the ball. Loves the ball at his feet. Played left wing but has a good right foot only. Deserved better. Got subbed at the end because he was basically knackered. He must start at home and should start away."
'good second half'
'was good today'
and thats the most I can find
Could you ping me quick email to ian #at# earlybath #dot# co.uk
Thanks v much