The Academy, NextGen, U18 & U21 Premier League and On-Loan Thread

[zin]

Central Defenders

90' Shot On Target 75' Foul Committed	STEVEN CAULKER (Swansea City) vs Stoke City (A) Premier League (Round 26) 26.02.2012 Played the whole game as Swansea lost 2-0. Caulker = Best game yet. Caulker's had far better games imo, I'm sure he was one of those meant to have been marking Crouch. Ash and Caulker spent the whole game discussing the drunken tattoos they got while on holiday. Caulker - both look lost without vorm
36' Goal	England U-21 vs Belgium U-21 (H) 2013 UEFA U-21 Qualification (Round 6) 29.02.2012 Played the whole game and scored with a header, in the 36th minute, to make it 2-0 as England got their revenge for last November's defeat by winning 4-0. Centre-back Caulker nodded in from close range after Craig Dawson's knock-back. Caulker is a class act like him alot.

Not In Squad

SEBASTIEN BASSONG (Wolves) vs Saudi Sportswashing Machine (A) Premier League (Round 26) 25.02.2012 Having been injured in the last game, against West Brom 2 weeks ago, he missed the game as Wolves came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2. Wolves fans are keen to see him return for the next game against Fulham in place of Berra. Bassong must not be fit. Bassong for Berra is obvious I feel. Was rested didnt want to take risk. Only one change for me and that is Bassong for Berra.

 

[WookieD]

?ú4m would be a good offer in my opinion, a fair offer. would we get him for that?

I can't see us getting a player of Naughtons quality for less than ?ú6m.

Well if Liverpool paid ?ú18m for Glen Johnson I can't see us getting him on the cheap, and I personally think Spurs would be mad to sell him.

He is absolutely brilliant, and signing him on a permanent deal has to be top priority for the summer.

I thought our resident Sheffield expert *Ahem* GB *Ahem* didn't think either Kyle was going to be good enough for top Premiership football

 

[zin]

Midfielders

68' Subbed Off

STEVEN PIENAAR (South Africa) vs Senegal (H) International (Friendly) 29.02.2012 Having not played since scoring a goal against Chelsea on 11 Feb 2012, due to being cup tied in the FA Cup the week after and the game vs Liverpool postponed due to the Carling Cup final the week after that, he played 68 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Senegal. He was cpatain for the game. The Everton attacking midfielder has been in the country for a week training with Ajax Cape Town after his club gave him some time off to spend with his family. On a positive note, South Africa controlled most of the game, with midfielders Thulani Serero, May Mahlangu and Steven Pienaar working well together.

81' Subbed Off 77' Cross Cleared 57' Cross Cleared 53' Shot Blocked 34' Cross Saved 31' Cross Cleared 8' Cross Cleared

ANDROS TOWNSEND (Birmingham City) vs Nottingham Forest (H) Championship (Round 32) 25.02.2012 Joined Birmingham a day after cancelling his loan spell with Leeds and played 81 minutes the next day in this match as Forest caused an upset by winning 2-1. After SaturdayÔÇÖs game you lot [Leeds fans] were saying how good I was and now IÔÇÖm a ÔÇÿwaste of spaceÔÇÖ. Fickle fans. It was good to get my debut in front of a big crowd but the result wasnÔÇÖt the best and it was disappointing we did lose at home and lose the unbeaten run that the lads had put together in the previous 15 games. I didnÔÇÖt really make as big an impact as I would have liked to have done, but I still got a few crosses in the box and thatÔÇÖs my game really. (Talking about Chris Hughton) He called me up a few times and said how he wanted me to play and where he wanted me to play and basically what heÔÇÖd want from me and thatÔÇÖs all you want as a player. Townsend sent in speculative crosses which were comfortably dealt with by the visitors. First goal Townsend didn't track back, second goal looked like Mutch and Townsend lost it between them and again left Murphy exposed. Quite a few times I thought Townsend seemed to do something decent then just stood still and he needs to to learn how to track back - he probably needs to find the pace of the game when it's really competitive like Forest were today. Forest were attacking at will down the right and Murphy looked exposed. Hopefully an understanding can be worked out between him an Townsend. Redmond came on and looked just as good as Townsend, so I ask the question why are we adding to the development of a Spud's player when we have our own to bring on? I understand that Townsend can also play LB so could provide cover for Murphy.

Not In Squad

RYAN MASON (Millwall) vs Burnley (A) Championship (Round 33) 25.02.2012 For the second game in a row he has not been in the matchday squad as Millwall won 3-1. Physio Bobby Babic reports that Ryan Mason is aiming to train this week which indicates he has been out injured. Has Mason been abducted? Where the fudge has he gone ?

Not In Squad

YAGO FALQUE (Southampton) vs Watford (A) Championship (Round 33) 25.02.2012 Nowhere to be seen again for the 5th time in a row as Southampton won 3-0. Suggestions he may be injured and did not take part in an U-21 game on 29 Feb 2012 which he has done previously. I'd like to see more of falque because I think he has a lot to offer but only if we play him in his favoured position. I'd like to see us start with Puncheon and Chaplow with De Ridder or Falque on the bench. Nige said he's injured but still very much part of the plans here this season. With Lallana injured (?), he may be the ideal replacement "flare" that we need. Anyway I thought he was injured, or at least has been. He did look lightweight when he made his debut, got knocked off the ball to easily, but clearly has great skill.

Not In Squad

JOHN BOSTOCK (Sheffield Wednesday) vs Sheffield United (H) League One (Round 33) 26.02.2012 Not in the matchday squad as Wednesday won the derby 1-0. Probably dropped after his awful performance in the last match against Chesterfield. Wednesday fans are a little less angry at him now and some are still willing to give him a chance. I hope the lad comes good for us he seems to enjoy being at Wednesday... and seems to get on with the lads... (On Bostock celebrating with the team after the game) Fair play John. You were appalling and embarrassing last week but come back with this attitude and we will accept you again. Bostock is gash, and the new manager will hopefully send him packing. Hes fookin gash and not interested in division 3 football, a bizzare signing. Bags of potential just yet to fully unlock it. I still think theres chance for him to shine at the club yet. I still hope John Bostock clomes good for us, fingers crossed he just needs to get into the pace of the game in Div1... Bostock should also begin to settle and contribute as the weeks go by.

Not In Squad

DEAN PARRETT (Yeovil) vs Carlisle United (A) League One (Round 32) 25.02.2012 Injured in the last game against Colchester as Yeovil played the third 3-2 game in a row, however this time they were on the losing side. Examinations at White Hart Lane discovered Parrett had bruising around his knee, rather than ligament damage. Yeovil manager Gary Johnson said: "It is good news in as much as it is not as bad as it was first thought to be." He took to social network Twitter to update fans on his injury and said: "Doubtful for the weekend, waiting to see what the physios say and how I progress this week." Posted on his twitter on 29 Feb 2012: "Training was real good today! Buzzing to be back with the boys.... "

 

[jimmyb]

Sounds as though we definitely shouldn't be looking to offload Naughton.

He can cover at left back as well as right. Possibly as emergency centre back too, if needed.

And if Lennon is injured, perhaps Walker could play at right wing and Naughton at right back?

Good player with the potential to become even better....young.....versatile....English...exactly what we need.

 

[zin]

Strikers

88' Subbed Off 83' Shot Blocked 70' Goal 32' Offside 17' Foul Suffered 14' Shot Off Target

HARRY KANE (Millwall) vs Burnley (A) Championship (Round 33) 25.02.2012 Played 88 minutes and scored his first league goal for Millwall in the 70th minute to make the score 3-0 as they went on to win 3-1. Kane finally played up front in a 4-4-2 formation alongside Andy Keogh with leading scorer Darius Henderson on the bench. Other than Henderson for Kane, I'm very happy with that. Harry Kane settled matters on the counter-attack with 70 minutes gone. Henry benefited from the extra space on offer in the Clarets half to find Kane, who swept past advancing goalkeeper Lee Grant. When Kane capitalised on some hesitant play by Ben Mee to burst clear it took a desperate last-ditch interception from Marvin Bartley to prevent Millwall going ahead in the 12th minute.

46' Subbed Off 15' Goal

HARRY KANE (England U-19) vs Czech Republic U-19 (H) International (Friendly) 28.02.2012 Played the first half and scored the first goal as England U-19s went on to win 2-1 at Leyton Orient's ground. Harry Kane put the hosts in front after a quarter of an hour, finishing off a swift counter-attacking move to hand England the advantage. MiddlesbroughÔÇÖs Luke Williams received the ball out wide on the right from the keeper and found Harry Kane, who stepped inside a defender to pass sweetly into the bottom left corner of the net. "It's always great to score a goal but to get one back here was special," he told Orient's website. "I didn't get to score at that end when I was here on loan so it's nice to get one now." "Playing mens' football here last year helped me a lot. It helped me get stronger and become a man basically," he continued. ÔÇ£The Championship is another step up now, physically and in terms of pace and my loan at Orient definitely prepared me for that.ÔÇØ

90' Foul Committed 81' Foul Suffered 65' Foul Committed 57' Foul Suffered 46' Goal 24' Foul Committed 4' Foul Suffered 4' Offside

JONATHAN OBIKA (Yeovil) vs Carlisle United (A) League One (Round 32 25.02.2012 Played the whole game, scoring the equaliser straight after half time to make it 1-1 as Yeovil went on to lose 3-2. He has now scored 2 goals and made 2 assists in the last 4 games. Yeovil were back on terms within a minute of the restart when Obika found space to the left of goal to drive home a firm shot at the near post.

Unused Sub

KUDUS OYENUGA (St Johnstone) vs Dunfermline (H) Scottish Premier League (Round 27) 25.02.2012 Once again an unused sub for the 4th time in 5 games as St. Johnstone won 3-1. Has so far only played 12 minutes since his loan spell. Would like to see more of oyenuga. I think the decision to remove Fran was the right one. I was suggesting his removal to my old man 60 mins in (albeit I wanted to see Oyenuga on).

Not In Squad

SIMON DAWKINS (San Jose Earthquakes) vs Portland Timbers (A) Friendly (Pre-Season) 27.02.2012 Had not joined the team yet, since the announcement on 14 Feb 2012 that he was, and was an unused sub for Spurs against Stevenage in the FA Cup on 19 Feb 2012. He also played for a Spurs XI team as they won 7-3 against Leyton Orient on 21 Feb 2012, scoring a goal. Next Earthquakes friendly is against Swedish side AIK on 01 Mar 2012. Dawkins slid home after good work from Coulibaly and Luongo for 7-2 in the last minute. Posted on twitter 26 Feb 2012: Spurs Midfielder Simon Dawkins leaving party at Maze Inn tonight. Join us as we wish him good luck on loan in the states. I don't think Dawkins left London until yesterday.....so even if he's in portland major jet lag.

 

[zin]

David Button has returned to Spurs. Doncaster have re-signed goalkeeper Carl Ikeme on-loan from Wolves.

Rovers were reluctant to offer Button an extension - because loan rules dictate that the Spurs stopper could only have stayed at Doncaster for another month.

 

[Danishfurniturelover]

how old is obika now? surely time to release him

 

[zin]

Not In Squad

SIMON DAWKINS (San Jose Earthquakes) vs AIK (H) Friendly (Pre-Season) 01.03.2012 Was not in the matchday squad for this game which now leaves the final pre-season friendly against Chivas USA on 04 Mar 2012 as preparation for the new season.

 

[zin]

how old is obika now? surely time to release him

Turned 21 in September.

His contract was extended at the beginning of this season, unsure for how long though.

 

[zin]

Does that mean he'll be returning to Spurs (i.e. loan cancelled)?

According to Croatian press it is a suspected hamstring so 3-4 weeks off.

 

[zin]

OSCAR JANSSON (Shamrock Rovers) vs Drogheda Unuted (A) League of Ireland (Round 1) 02.03.2012 Played the whole game, of the first competitive match of the season, as Shamrock won 2-1 on a terrible pitch. Started well, goal knocked the stuffing out of us. Awful, awful defending and keeping. Jansson was poor for the goal. Interesting touch from our new keeper. has looked pretty comfortable. hope the goal hasnt made him lose his nerve. Keepers kicks are shocking. Worse than Thommo's. Nearly every one of them gone into touch. The goal we gave away was awful. Between the keeper and defense it was poor communication. Wasn't impressed with Jansson's kicking on the night either. That error from our keeper frightened the crap out of me and as said already "first night nerves" might be the story there.

 

[Danishfurniturelover]

Townsend played the full 90 for brum but it sounds like kane had an indifferent game for millwall he helped set up a goal for millwall but also missed a sitter.

 

[zin]

Sounds like Townsend had a great game with 2 assists.

 

[Danishfurniturelover]

Sounds like Townsend had a great game with 2 assists.

I like watching the football league show so much more when we have players out on loan.

 

[Johnny Ray]

Steven Caulker - Is he ready?

Already playing well for a Premier League team in a system that's similar to our style of play.

At what point do we start bringing him into contention as a first team player. I see no point in loaning him out again. Would love to see him drop in next to Younes for about 10 games next season.

What do you think? Is the boy ready? If so, when do we start to use him and how much? Is Caulker/Kaboul the settle centre back pairing we've been craving for. Or are we just going to buy the lad from Ajax instead?

 

[Danishfurniturelover]

yes

 

[Spursalot]

Yes.

 

[NaijaSpurs]

The little I have seen off that Dutch guy I am not impressed.

Caulker is doing in this league for a team that has a good defensive record considering it is such a small club

At the very least I would replace Gallas with Caulker next season

 

[Hootnow]

Yes he is ready (for a squad role). And we also need to purchase at least one more cb on top of that, maybe two, to replace King, Gallas, Nelsen, Bassong (why the fudge do we have so many centrebacks?).

 

[chancer]

Caulker looks the real deal to me, and I would fully expect him to be competing for the Spurs starting 11 for the first game next season. Kaboul-Caulker long term sounds teh awesome. I love Daws, but I think those two are a step above in terms of technique.

Caulker's a very impressive speaker too, suggesting a brain and leadership qualities. A very exciting package, ahem.