Currently we have the following players out on loan:

Troy Archibald-Henville – Exeter City (Exeter want to extend the loan, which ends soon)
John Bostock – Brentford (Brentford want to extend the loan, which ends soon)
David Button – Shrewsbury Town (until 27th February 2010)
Adam Smith – Torquay United (until the end of the season)
Adel Taarabt – QPR (until the end of the season)
Kyle Walker – Sheffield United (until the end of the season)
Jon Obika – Yeovil Town (until the end of the season)
Ryan Mason – Yeovil Town (until the end of the season)
Steven Caulker – Yeovil Town (until the end of the season)
Mirko Ranieri – Ipswich Town (until the end of the season)
Jake Livermore – Peterborough United (until the end of the season)
Andros Townsend – MK Dons (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
Sam Cox – Histon
Jake Livermore – Derby County
Andros Townsend – Leyton Orient
Calum Butcher – Barnet
Jamie O’Hara – Portsmouth

Troy Archibald-Henville sat out Exeter City’s game yesterday, as he was serving the last game of a three-match suspension. Exeter have confirmed that they want to extend Troy’s loan (presumably until the end of the season). I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t join them permanently in the summer.

John Bostock played 87 minutes for Brentford yesterday, as they beat Carlisle 3-1. Brentford Official Site report:

Brentford had been pushed back in the early stages – John Bostock had a shot blocked after Ben Strevens and Charlie MacDonald had combined to set him up and Kevin O’Connor had a shot blocked at source soon after.

Bostock cleverly took a quick free kick after foul on Strevens on half way and set MacDonald away, the striker twisted and turned the Carlisle defence before firing the ball across the six-yard box where Weston was waiting to slot home.

The Bees could have had a second before the break when another quick free kick released Weston on the left, his cross reached Bostock on the far side but his shot was cleared off the line by Evan Horwood and whacked to safety.

Legge shot wide just before half time when a free kick was half cleared and Bostock had a shot blocked just after the break, before blasting over from the right side of the area.

The Bees were dominant by now but were looking for a second goal to give themselves breathing space, they almost grabbed it when Bostock shot wide from the edge of the box but the irresistible Weston did provide it ten minutes after the re-start.

Bostock, starting to thrive in some extra space, was involved again – his shot from 18 yards was saved well by Adam Collin in the Carlisle goal but he could only palm it into the path of Weston who slotted home right footed from 15 yards.

Bostock almost grabbed the goal he deserved with a low shot after a nice run but Collin tipped it round the post.

David Button played 90 minutes for Shrewsbury Town in their 1-1 draw at Burton Albion. Shrewsbury Town Official Site report:

Adam Smith played 90 minutes for Torquay United as they lost 1-0 to Chesterfield. Torquay United Official Site report:

Adel Taarabt played 90 minutes for QPR as they drew 2-2 away at Blackpool. He got on the scoresheet with a cheeky penalty. QPR Official Site report:

Rangers drew level just after the hour with an Adel Taarabt penalty after Hogan Ephraim’s shot hit the hand of Neal Ardley in the area.

Carl Ikeme, Connolly, Fitz Hall and Taarabt all came in, with Radek Cerny, Gary Borrowdale, Peter Ramage and Jay Simpson dropping to the bench.

Patrick Agyemang began in attack with Taarabt playing just off him.

After a tentative opening, the first real opportunity arrived on six minutes when Taarabt picked up possession on the edge of the Blackpool box but his drive was well blocked by Tangerines defender Alex Baptiste.

On 15 minutes some fantastic passing football involving Buzsaky, Taarabt and Routledge cut the Tangerines defence open, but Routledge was adjudged to be offside as his effort drifted inches wide of the far post from a tight angle.

The R’s were almost level on 34 minutes when Taarabt picked up the ball on the left following a strong tackle by Stewart on Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

The Moroccan weaved his magic on Neal Eardley with a series of step-overs before shooting at goal but his effort took a deflection and went out for a throw-in on the far side. Such was the quality, Taarabt’s skills received warm applause from the home fans.

And just four minutes into the second half Taarabt went as close as you possibly can go without scoring. After typical trickery, he worked spme space on the edge of area before his low shot hit the inside of the post, rolled across the goal-line and hit the OTHER post before being hacked to safety!

On 54 minutes, the R’s did draw level courtesy of a Taarabt penalty – which was typically stylish! The spot-kick was won when Routledge played the ball back for Ephraim to shoot from distance, and his effort was adjudged to have hit the hand of Ardley by referee Mr Kettle.

With Buzsaky no longer on the pitch, Taarabt took responsibility from 12 yards – and casually dinked the ball in as Rachubka dived to his right.

Taarabt was moved into the centre of the park, with German joining Agyemang in attack.

Kyle Walker played 90 minutes for Sheffield United, having now fully recovered from his injury. Sheffield United Official Site report:

Less than a minute had elapsed before Wheater was called upon to stop Cresswell after Evans had knocked down Walker’s cross.

Walker’s header into the penalty area clearly hit Robson but there was no spot-kick award.

Back on defensive duties, Walker timed his tackle on Flood to perfection in the area and then Bunn did well to hold on to a high ball, despite being under pressure.

Walker’s centre beat everyone and flew across the face of goal and then the ball would not drop for Evans after Williamson’s head down.

Boro had a big penalty appeal waved away moments later when Aliadiere went down at pace under a combined challenge from Seip and Walker.

Fan report from their Official Site:

Jon Obika, Ryan Mason and Steven Caulker got a day off, as Yeovil Town’s game with Tranmere was postponed.

Jake Livermore played 90 minutes on his debut for Peterborough United. Tricky game for Jake, as Peterborough were down to 9 men at half-time! Peterborough United Official Site report:

Boyd was superbly denied by Bywater on 79 minutes from 20-yards and then Bywater was well-placed to tip a Livermore effort around the post as Posh pressed for an equaliser and if Mclean had timed his jump, he could have directed a floating cross on target.

Some very positive comments on Livermore from a forum:

“The class of Livermore, Gilbert and Reid showed today.”

“CMS did not deserve Man of the Match for me. Livemore was my man today.”

“Livermore was definitely my Man of the Match. “

“livermore MOM for me, looks like a quality player.”

“Totally agree. Livermore was utter class today and will prove to be a magnificent signing…if only we could sign him permanently.”

“Livermore looked quality today and linked up very well with Coutts. If only we could get a team full of his quality!”

“Cannot really judge or pass much of a comment on the game as playing with 9 men just is unfair, Jake LIVERMORE was OUTSTANDING the others difficult to judge at this time GILBERT played well but had a lot to do in defence due to the sendings off as did REID.”

Andros Townsend came off the bench in the 60th minute of MK Dons 5-0 away win at Hartlepool, and got two assists on his debut. MK Dons Official Site report:

With his team in control of proceedings and the points never in doubt, Ince was also able to introduce debutants Andros Townsend and Mark Randall in the second half and they did much to justify their big reputations.

But the two Premier League young guns, on loan from Spurs and Arsenal respectively, will have learned quickly that places in this Dons side will not come cheaply.

In fact, those in possession of the spots Townsend and Randall covet rose to the challenge superbly – Peter Leven and Jason Puncheon weighing in with a goal apiece to cap excellent afternoons, while Luke Chadwick and Stephen Gleeson also played significant roles in a dominant display.

But consolidation doesn’t look to be in Townsend’s nature and his rapier-like bursts into Hartlepool territory will have had Dons fans intrigued as to the impact he could have between now and the end of the season.

The two typically combined to set up fellow substitute Sam Baldock with 13 minutes to go – Townsend sending the Dons striker clear to celebrate his new contract with a ninth goal of the season.

And when Wilbraham, tireless in mind as well as body, cushioned another Townsend pass into the path of the lurking Puncheon, Hartlepool were helpless to deny the on-loan Plymouth magician, who stepped inside and crashed home mercilessly from the edge of the box.

MK Dons’ assistant manager Karl Robinson:

We’ve brought two players in but, whether you’ve come from Arsenal or Tottenham, you’re not just going to walk into our side. The lads have accepted that and the lads that are playing have to hammer down their place.

Mirko Ranieri kept a clean sheet for Ipswich Town U18s, as they won 2-0. Ipswich Town Official Site report:

The best chance fell Sam Argent who had a free header in the box but headed straight at Mirko Ranieri.

Since I last wrote an update, Tomas Pekhart has moved permanently to FK Baumit Jablonec, who play in the top division of the Czech league.

I would expect that we’re trying to get the likes of Calum Butcher, Dean Parrett, Oscar Jansson and Sam Cox back out on loan during the transfer window. I also wonder whether Jamie O’Hara may get another loan, as Redknapp clearly wants him to play.

Weather permitting, we take on Portsmouth tomorrow night in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, which is seen as the biggest prize in U18 football.

The lads will (hopefully!) be playing at White Hart Lane – they did the same twice last year, against Arsenal in the FAYC, and against Watford in the Academy League.

We beat Wigan Athletic in the third round, thanks to a goal from Harry Kane. If you have a subscription to Spurs TV Online, you can see the goal and some other highlights here.

Alex Inglethorpe has a few selection dilemmas, but the likes of Caulker, Bostock, Parrett, M’Poku and Kane should be in action.

Ticket details.

Before the start of the season, I wrote an article where I assessed our squad. In this article (which was written before Bassong joined), I said that I was largely satisfied with our squad, and hoped that Harry didn’t tinker too much. With the window open again, I very much hope we adopt this approach.

Our squad is strong, and growing in strength from week to week, as the players get used to the system and to one another. Players like Bassong, Huddlestone, and even Kranjcar have surpassed expectation this year, and this means that the squad is even stronger than we thought.

Goalkeeper: Heurelho Gomes, Carlo Cudicini, Ben Alnwick, Jimmy Walker
Right back: Vedran Corluka, Alan Hutton, Kyle Naughton
Left back: Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Gareth Bale
Centre back: Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Dawson, Sebastian Bassong
Right midfield: Aaron Lennon, David Bentley, Giovani Dos Santos
Left midfield: Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar
Central midfield: Wilson Palacios, Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas
Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane, Roman Pavlyuchenko

(Jamie O’Hara due to return on 15th January.)

The only reason I see that we would need to buy in this window is if others leave. For example, it currently seems likely that at least one of Pavlyuchenko, Bentley or Hutton will go. We could probably cope with the loss of one of them without bringing someone in, as we have players who can adapt to cover (e.g. Kranjcar/Modric/Giovani can play on either wing, Naughton can play in either full back position, and we have players who can play “off” a main striker). However, were more than one player to leave, we would probably need another body.

Many fans are saying that now is the time to strengthen – that we have fourth, and that it’s down to us to lose it (which incidentally isn’t strictly true, because Man City are two points behind with a game in hand). My first point to those who feel this way would be that we have clearly benefited from a settled team (as illustrated by my post about our clean sheets) and changing this is a risk that, in my opinion, is not worth taking. My second point is let’s not run before we walk. We’ve started this season very well, but we are still a young team which has not had the benefit of a team like, for example Aston Villa or Liverpool, of having been together for a few seasons. You also then have the wild card Man City to consider. I still think that Europa Cup qualification is a sensible aim, and I’d personally be very happy with that given the disappointment of last season.

NOTE: just as I write this article, Kranjcar is quoted as saying: “we might have the best squad in the league”!

Since Harry Redknapp arrived:

Left (23, plus 5 Academy players)
Paul Stalteri, Hossam Ghaly, Cesar Sanchez, Andy Barcham, Charlie Daniels, Alex Olsen, Leigh Mills, Kieran McKenna (retired), Darren Bent, Didier Zokora, Chris Gunter, Ricardo Rocha, Pascal Chimbonda, Gilberto, Kevin Prince Boateng, Simon Dawkins, Kyle Fraser-Allen, Cian Hughton, Danny Hutchins, David Hutton, Jacques Maghoma, Takura Mtandari and Yuri Berchiche, plus Academy players Yaser Kasim, Saulo Asajile, Mark Clare, James Dalton and Ajet Shehu.

Joined (11)
Jermain Defoe, Wilson Palacios, Carlo Cudicini, Pascal Chimbonda, Robbie Keane, Niko Kranjcar,
Sebastien Bassong, Peter Crouch, Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker, Jimmy Walker

Redknapp brought in five players in January last season, and six over the summer.

Gomes 7 – one really excellent save from Mackail-Smith, one slight slip-up where he palmed one out needlessly, but good distribution.
Hutton 6 – defensively sloppy (as usual), but did OK going forward. Would clearly have profited more from going on the outside more often than that, but he didn’t seem to “get” this, and kept running inside into traffic.
Dawson 8 – the glue that held everything together. Five clean sheets in a row – he has to take a huge amount of the credit. Another solid game today with decent defensive work (first mistake was on 89 minutes IIRC) and good passing.
Bassong 6 – as ever, a couple of sloppy moments which ruined an otherwise good day for him.
Bale 7 – first half he looked a little nervous, but he still provided some useful wing-play. In the second, the Peterborough right-back (Griffiths, on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge) simply could not cope with his pace and direct running, and he made two goals. The link up with Keane for the first of his assists was sublime! Defensively he made a couple of slight misjudgements, but he wasn’t really tested.
Modric 7 – started fairly slowly, but as we got more time and space in the second half he was in his element. Lovely weight of pass as ever.
Huddlestone 6 – good without the ball, sloppy with it – I counted five misplaced passes out of six at one point in the second half.
Palacios 6 – largely the same as Huddlestone. Took a lot of risks when the last man, which didn’t win too many admiring words from me! Got around the pitch brilliantly, though. Appalling Zokora-esque shot in the first half!
Kranjcar 9 – a sublime all-round performance capped off with two goals, the first a real beauty. Look forward to seeing it again later.
Keane 7 – good link-up play (often with Modric), nice weight of pass generally, but a couple of frustrating moments. Good pen!
Defoe 6 – pretty quiet aside from the goal, although also missed an open goal from about 5 yards out…

Rose – some good, some bad. The good – a couple of decent runs (went on the outside of the defender) with a reasonable cross at the end. A good run which won us a penalty. The bad – a shanked cross high over the bar, and a reckless challenge which won him a yellow card, and Peterborough a free-kick in a dangerous area.
Pavlyuchenko – first touch a dreadful header. Second touch a poor piece of control. Third touch a poorly-executed slide-rule pass for Hutton. Not good.
Naughton – was looking so very assured until he (in my opinion) fouled Batt (hopefully I’ll be proved wrong by MOTD!) – it looked a penalty or at least a free-kick on the edge of the box.