Tom Carroll has been called selected for the England U21 squad for the upcoming European Championship qualification games against Iceland and Belgium. After impressing last season while on loan at Leyton Orient, despite appearing to be around 12-years-old, the youngster has had some very good performances in the Europa League for us this season. His first team opportunities appear to be pretty limited, in all honesty, as we've got a lot of competition for midfield places at the moment, but he should start the game against Rubin Kazan tomorrow, where I'm sure he'll relish having another chance to show what he can do. He's joined in the U21 side by Adam Smith, another one of our 8,000 right-backs, who is currently on loan at MK Dons, having made 38 league appearances for Bournemouth in the previous season. Good luck and congratulations to both.
Well, let's put it this way. Smith has been replaced at Bournemouth by another young, English right-back this season. His name's Nathan Byrne and he's also on loan from a Premier League team. Anyone fancy guessing who that team is?
Congratulations to Carroll, and we have all these RBs, but not one available for tomorrow, mmmmmmmm. PNP, do you know if Smith is now available to play for us again, or is he out on loan somewhere else now?
Smith's on loan at MK Dons, Ghoddle. They seem to have a pretty good defensive record at the moment, too. He didn't feature in their last game though, as he was sent off for two bookable offences in the one before that.
Cheers for update PNP The good news is that Corluka is in the Croatian squad, so I guess he's not too far off fitness, plus with Gallas back, we have a bit more flexibilty re defensive numbers and possibilities.
Very impressive for a 19 year old, and really happy that he's being noticed outside of just us Spurs fans. He was a complete unknown before this season, but now I'm considering as one of our most promising youngsters alongside Caulker and Coulibaly. This is the exact reason why I'm happy we got in the Europa League. We probably wouldn't have heard of Tom Carroll if we weren't in the competition, let alone him being called up to the England U21 squad! Keep it up Tom!
I'm giving this to myself, so no need to award me anymore. When I saw the thread title in the list, my first thought was...what!?, at JD's expense! Based on what??, thought you were on about Andy Carroll! Enraged, I couldn't click fast enough for a rant...all calm again!
I'm delighted we're in the EL for many reasons, the key one is I want to see us a win a trophy again, and bring some authentic glory back to the Lane in terms of silverware, not just the 'new trophy' of fourth, which of course I want too It's 27 years since we were last in a European semi-final, (when we won the UEFA), that's way tooo long for a club like ours that wants to be a European force again.
You're not alone. I thought this was another article about Capello's deliberate ploy to make England look pants by only selecting dummies who can't do it at international level, like Walnut and Fat Frank. Carroll is doubly-blighted, of course, insomuch as he can't even do it at club level.
Congrats to the lad, certainly looks a good player in the making, not sure what his contract status is but I hope, if he's not already, we tie him down to long term deal.
I recall MK Dons' manager waxing lyrical about bringing in Adam Smith during the summer. I wonder if anyone has footage of his assist in a friendly against Barca last year, just in case Footie Focis want to run a piece on him... As for Tom Carroll, I said it after the first Rubin game, but he's been the surprise of the season - whilst the expectation was on Andros Townsend to cause a potential selection headache this season, Carroll has been assured everytime he plays, and there's a lot of improvement in him still to come.
is he a born and bred central midfielder or has he just been playing there in the EL? Its a shame for him that central midfield is the position most overloaded with quality for Spurs.
I think that's his best role, Spurfectionist. He seems like a midfield playmaker, to me. Considering his slight frame and ability on the ball, he's probably learning a lot by watching and training with Modric.
Thought the exact same PNP. Modric is literally the perfect player for Tom to learn from. If he can become even a quarter of the player Luka is he'll be a very good player in the future.
Yep, agree with that, and PNP. Joey Barton said Modric was "the best player in the league by a mile" after last weeks game. Its amazing that i can conceive Hudd not getting in the matchday squad when he comes back though! So Tom C is gonna have a very hard time making it in that position.
I'm still hoping to see Huddlestone and Sandro playing as our back-up central midfield pairing! Ludicrous quality.
