Good to see Adam Smith get some decent game time yesterday in Millwall's good win at Charlton. Was concerned that his loan was proving a waste of his season.
I would prefer to see him in the starting line-up. True he had a decent run out yesterday, but one wonders how much game time he would have had if another player hadn't been injured so early in the game.
I noticed yesterday (just from the highlights) that townsend is drifting into the centre at the right times, rather then just hugging the touchline, a sign hes developing and reading the game, hopefully a quality we will see at spurs next year, although I don't hold much hope that Avb rates him, that much.
I watched the whole game on Sky's Football First yesterday evening and definitely agree with you. His all round awareness in game is without a doubt a big improvement over the past months. Since the start of this season, he has shown a real desire to kick on and try and establish a good career for himself in the game. He did extra work during last summer, went running before pre-season and has pretty much ripped defenders apart in the under 21 league. He had reached a bit of a crossroads and fair play to him, he's made the right effort when it was needed. He took a drop in wages to go to Rangers, because he convinced Harry he wanted to play, still had the desire he had shown Spurs years ago and just wanted a chance. He's taken that chance and is reaping the benefits of showing a professional attitude. I think AVB found himself in a dilemma with Andros. He recognised how well he was doing and wanted to reward him, but couldn't find a way to accommodate him on a regular basis without compromising his preferred line-up. So the next best option was to get him regular PL football elsewhere which of course Harry was happy to give him. In hindsight, this decision may well look silly, but in the longterm I think we'll look back on it as a reasonable one because he will come back to us in better shape than when he left.
Fair points SC, as I may have read the situation wrong on AVB rating the lad, as I believed he wasn't that highly regarded. mainly because he was allowed out on loan, when we never had a great deal of width, but if Townsend returns a better player and is given that chance he deserves, it will be the correct decision.
I don't know if you were able to watch the game today Boss, but if you couldn't, you'll be pleased to hear one of your favourite players Tom Carroll, played very well when he came on. He always seems to make time and space for himself, and so avoids the physical challenges his small frame would usually endure. His probing passes added a positive dimension to our game today, which until his introduction, had been lacking.
Unfortunately I missed it, as at work so couldn't really comment much, but took note of the line up and the odd decisions from reading the report and will watch the game this evening. BUT yes I was happy to hear Carroll came on and impressed! and that part I highlighted from your comment is what makes me so positive about the lad, again Avb may have this spot on and gently introducing Carroll is key, only time will tell if thatâs correct, yet the lad is going to be a top player, I have no doubt. Although I am slightly concerned that if in the summer we sign a player like Mountinho, this will mean Carroll isn't given a chance and sent out on loan......but lets hope that isnt the case!
There's rumours about Birmingham loaning Jack Munns and William Ekong, too. Thought the latter had gone to Holland, though.
Will be interesting to see what happens to the U21s with Miles on loan. Their only loss in the elite group phase was with Vigouroux (gulp) in goal.
Hasn't Munns not long been promoted to the Under21s? That's pretty good going for the 2 of them if they've managed to get a loan move to Birmingham at quite a young age.
Kevin Stewart's joined Crewe Alexandra on loan til the end of the season and may feature in the Johnson's Paint Trophy final next weekend.
Swindon managed to get their transfer embargo lifted in time to take Massimo Luongo, Dean Parrett and Nathan Byrne on loan.
Munns has played about 8 or 9 games for the under 21's. He did have a spell on loan at Aldershot earlier this season, but never actually kicked a ball for them whilst he was there.
Ah, corrected as always. Personally I'm looking forward to seeing him and Zigic on the same pitch, Jack will look like his mascot when they're walking out.
Deciding when to loan the kids out seems to be a bit "interesting" . It looks to me like perhaps for the U21 squad, now is too late in the season for "development" purposes. Is the Swindon deal being done with a view to those players being with them next season too ??
It's all about player development though isn't it ?? All the players who have gone out on loan today, deserve this opportunity to show the club just how much they have improved over the past 8 months. As for the timing, this is normal for Spurs for these last few weeks, a policy adopted by both past and current regimes. Further down the 'system', in the Academy, the youngsters who have shown the most progression this season are being 'rewarded' with involvement and playing time with the next age group. At the same time, it does put the youngster under more pressure as they know they're being closely monitored. I often wonder how they cope with this regimented process, but it's all part of becoming a professional footballer. And so it also is for Luongo, Parrett, Miles etc. It's not with a view to going anywhere permanently, it's to be able to gather more info on their level of progress this year at the end of the season.
