Byrne's last start for Crawley seems to have been in mid-November. He then dropped down to their bench and eventually disappeared from their match squads. Probably not a good sign for his development. Smith's still getting rave reviews from the Millwall fans that I know though, so I think he's in line to replace Naughton next season.
Smith got an assist in the Cup this weekend as well didn't he? Looks like he's really coming along well.
Have to admit I love the pic from the site of Smith and Darren Bent... please log in to view this image Bent looks like he's on an afternoon stroll...which is par for the course for him at Villa these days.
The latest news from the under 19 NextGen competition, is that last night Chelsea took the final place in the last 16 with a 3-3 draw in Holland against Ajax. The draw for the next stage is as follows - Barcelona v Chelsea PSG v TOTTENHAM CSKA Moscow v PSV Sporting Lisbon v Liverpool Inter v Arsenal Olympiakos v Anderlecht Ajax v Aston Villa Juventus v Rosenborg
They have some very good prospects in their youth team...well, if FM is any barometer of truth, anyway.
Tottenham Hotspur U21s 3-2 West Ham United U21s. Academy of football, my arse. Goal and an assist for Kane. Obika and Gallifuoco (?) got the others. Two wins and a draw in this stage of the competition, so far.
Just back from this game and very entertaining it was too. Credit to both teams in difficult conditions and I have to say West Ham looked a useful side and will consider themselves unfortunate not to get anything out of the game. As is usual with this team, we started off like a steam train, got ourselves in front and then struggled to find a plan B when our opponents get on top. The longer the game went on, West Ham looked the more likely winners and our winning goal was against the run of play. Good to see Harry Kane back in a Spurs shirt and he did well, although it has to be said he is far better than to be playing at this standard on a regular basis.
I'm still hoping that he'll get a shot in the side during our current striker crisis, SC. Might be able to do a job in behind Adebayor, but that's a heavily contested role, unfortunately.
Well I hope we got him back from Norwich for that reason PNP, although the talk is that it was prompted by Hughton telling him he would only be 4th choice striker at best from now onwards. What with the injury he has had and the loan not being seen through, these are the first setbacks he's had so far in his career. I hope he can bounce back quickly, certainly he looked back to his best at times today. I did read somewhere that Millwall are going to try to take him back there when the loan window re-opens, which I believe is pretty soon. Talking of Millwall reminds me that apparantly Adam Smith turned down a loan move to a PL club, preferring to stay with them and get regular football. They seem to have taken over from Orient as our favourite place to send our youngsters. Fair play to Kenny Jackett, at least he plays them.
I think that Jackett gives them opportunities and then chooses them again if they take them, SC. Some of our loanees have embraced the chance (O'Hara, Townsend, Kane, Smith), but some haven't managed to break into the first XI with any regularity (Mason). They seem to play the game the right way and players come back with experience and no attitude problems, so it's working out well for both parties. Sherwood's responsible for that link, I believe. Old teammates. I'd hope to see Kane on the bench against Newcastle, at least. Today's run out might have given him a chance of that.
Highlights from the 3-2 win over West Ham: [video=youtube;ReQNJHbntI4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReQNJHbntI4[/video] Fantastic shot from Kane.
It's one of those goals which look better each time you see it. A cracking strike. Not so impressed with Fryers' defending on their first, in fact he looked shaky for much of the game.
He over-committed and got caught badly out of position, trying to get the ball back after unnecessarily giving it away, but it left their lone striker with two centre-halves. Not convinced with their positional play, either. Keeper seemed to do everything right and still got beat, for some reason. Couple of nice passes from Carroll for the first two goals. Shame he hasn't been more involved recently.
Our next game is on Monday against Liverpool. This was due to be at their training ground but at Liverpool's request, the fixtures have been reversed and it will now be at our training ground. This switch means we start this next stage of the league with 6 consecutive home games !!
I followed the game on Twitter. Sounded very cold... An early goal from Obika. Game ended 1-0 to us. We're a bit good, aren't we?
Ruined our unbeaten run! Haven't seen any of the game so I won't pass comment on the game itself but well done anyway! You look to be stretching a lead in this Elite Stage of the Under 21 league... Three wins from four games isn't it? We aren't too far behind you though. (Two wins from three games) Disappointing return for Alex Inglethorpe though!
Today's U21 Premier League Elite Group result: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Liverpool A first-half Jon Obika goal was enough to see-off Liverpool at Enfield and keep Spurs in pole position in the Elite Group with 10 points from 4 games played. Miles Byrne Livermore Veljkovic Fryers Luongo Parrett Carroll Ceballos Kane Obika Tottenham Hotspur Reserves (Spurs XI), Under-21s, NextGen (U-19s) & Academy (U-18s) 2012-13
