Some notes on Spurs youngster Anthony Georgiou’s loan move to Bolton Wanderers:

On Friday afternoon  it was officially announced that Spurs youngster Anthony Georgiou had joined league one side Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season. Georgiou (22) had previously been on loan at Ipswich Town where he had made 13 appearances for the ‘ Tractor Boys ’ in all competitions. Frustratingly for Anthony he wasn’t handed many starts, despite doing well when he had played for Paul Lambert’s side. Anthony joins a Bolton side who have had a very difficult season owing to a points deduction at the beginning of the campaign. The Lancashire based club currently occupy 24th place in the league one table and are very likely to be relegated to league two. However, with a good manager in charge of the club (Keith Hill) and some talented players on their books they could still finish the season strongly despite their recent poor form. Cyprus international Georgiou, is for those Bolton fans wondering, a traditional left winger who has great pace. Georgiou loves to take players on, and with his searing pace, good dribbling rate and high work rate he usually enjoys good success down the left flank. This is the 22 year olds third loan move after spells at Atlético Levante and Ipswich Town, and I think this is the perfect opportunity and platform for him to impress. Bolton don’t have the biggest of squads and this should help Anthony get consistent playing time, which is what the talented youngster so desperately needs.

The former Watford schoolboy who is from Lewisham in South London, is my favourite ever Spurs youth player. This is down to his exceptional work rate, and exciting and unpredictable style of play. Georgiou is in many ways a very traditional winger as I had previously alluded to however, he is very well disciplined and can drop back to LB if he needs to, as he showed for Spurs’ first team in pre-season and on countless other occasions for our development side over the years. However, I would hope that like with his spell with Ipswich, that he will play in his natural position which is out on the left wing. Apart from his excellent pace, good dribbling ability and high work rate. Georgiou also has a very good left foot on him and he whips a wicked cross into the oppositions penalty area. This is something which could really help veteran Bolton striker and Irishman Daryl Murphy (36) who is very good in the air. I remember at under 18 level Georgiou had a great relationship with striker Shayon Harrison on the field, assisting him on numerous occasions throughout the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. Anthony will be competing with fellow left wingers Joe Dodoo (24) and Dennis Politic (19) for a place in the Bolton starting eleven and I have no doubts what so ever that he has the ability to become a key player for Bolton from now until the end of the season. This is a wonderful loan move for Anthony who becomes one of many players to play for both Spurs and Bolton (the legendary George Hunt is the player who first comes to mind). I would like to wish Anthony all the very best of luck for this loan move, and I look forward to following his progress closely at the league one club during the remainder of the season.

Spurs under 18’s versus Norwich City: (match preview)

Our under 18’s return to league action after a two week break, when Matt Taylor’s side take on Norwich City at their Colney based training centre on Saturday morning. Spurs will be looking to make it five league wins in a row, against a ‘ Canaries ’ side who sit in 11th place in the Premier League South table. Norwich have struggled for form this season in the league at least, and they have only picked up eight points from 13 games, conceding 42 goals in that time. Spurs on the other hand have been in strong form of late in the league and after recording impressive victories against Fulham and Brighton, they will be feeling confident going into this game. Norwich have a number of attacking players that Spurs will have to be wary of tomorrow. They include Belgian youngster and top scorer for the ‘ Canaries ‘ this season with ten goals Tyrese Omoteye. Another player to look out for is Scottish forward Thomas Dickson-Peters who has scored seven league goals so far this season. This will be an interesting game for Spurs who are coming ever closer to moving into the top four of the league. I would like to wish the lads all the very best of luck for tomorrow’s encounter with Norwich.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Kurylowicz, Cesay, Muir, Lusala, Hackett, Skinner, John, Mundle, Robson, Pedder, Etete (c).

Subs from: Lo-Tutala, Cassanova, Matthew Craig, Mathurin, Asante.

Injured/unavailable: Michael Craig, Chay Cooper.

Doubtful: Enock Asante, Dane Scarlett, Tarrelle Whittaker.

Previous meeting: Spurs 4-0.

My score prediction: Spurs 4-2.

My one to watch: Norwich’s Belgian forward Tyrese Omoteye (first year scholar) who has scored ten goals so far this season for the ‘ Canaries ’ under 18’s.

Some notes on young Spurs goalkeeper Brandon Austin’s loan move to Danish side Viborg FF:

On Monday morning it was announced that young Spurs goalkeeper Brandon Austin (21) (Austin has been named on the bench for our first team on six occasions this season) had joined Danish first division side Viborg FF on loan until the end of the season. The team, who ply their trade in the second tier of Danish football had previously had Brentford’s Ellery Balcombe (fellow England under 21 international) as their first choice goalkeeper until he had picked up an injury and had to return to the West London club. Austin who was born and raised in Hemel Hempstead, is a superb shot stopper and, a commanding and charismatic young goalkeeper who has enjoyed almost three good seasons with our development side. This is Austin’s first loan and it will give him the opportunity to test and challenge himself in the men’s games. Viborg, who currently occupy third place in division one, have a good history about them and this in many ways is the perfect club for Austin to continue to develop at for the next six months. Brandon has been the given the number one shirt at Viborg so one would imagine that he will be their first choice goalkeeper, although he will be still competing with Can Dursun and Lucas Lund Pedersen (Pedersen, I believe is currently injured).

The former Chelsea schoolboy is very charismatic on the pitch, and he is a commanding figure inside his penalty area. Austin as I wrote about in great detail in a piece that I wrote in October 2018, is also an outstanding shot stopper. And the young man who is also eligible to represent the US Virgin Islands, often pulls off superb reflex saves in games. Arguably our under 23’s best and most consistent performer over the past three seasons, Austin made the transition from under 18 to under 23 football with great ease. The quality of his performances evident from the amount and quality of saves that he makes in games. However, Brandon is also a very authoritative goalkeeper who likes to make sure that the opposing teams forwards know whose boss. Furthermore, the 21 year old who recently signed a new contract with Spurs up until 2022, is also a highly effective communicator and organiser of the back four. He has also improved this season with his distribution and on other aspects of his game. I’m really looking forward to seeing Brandon in action for Viborg over the next six months and I have no doubts that he will do really well at the Danish club. Brandon has been an absolute pleasure to watch over the past three seasons for our development side and I would like to wish him all the very best of luck for this loan move to Viborg FF (hopefully their matches will be streamed!).

My piece on our under 18’s exciting and skilful winger – Chay Cooper:

In the latest of my pieces on our second year scholars, I shall be focusing on our under 18’s exciting and skilful winger Chay Cooper, in the following article. Chay Cooper may not be a name that many Spurs supporters know or are aware of however, the 18 year old has been one of our under 18’s best, most productive and most consistent performers so far this campaign. Currently out injured over the last month, I am writing this piece to give Spurs fans a feel for what type of player the second year scholar is. I will also talk about Cooper’s attributes and style of play in the following piece. Born and raised in Harlow, Essex, Chay Cooper attended the Mark Hall Academy where he was a 200m and 800m champion at county level. Cooper played for football league club Southend United at schoolboy level before joining Tottenham Hotspur towards the end of the 2016/17 season as an under 15. Followers of the Tottenham Hotspur academy set up would have first been made aware of Cooper at the beginning of the 2018/19 season when he was announced as one of Spurs’ new first year scholars. Cooper made his under 18 debut in September of 2018, coming off the bench in an under 18 Premier League Cup game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The then first year scholar who scored 16 goals the previous season for the under 16’s, made ten competitive appearances for our under 18’s that season, playing in a variety of positions (Cooper was also named on the bench for our development side in their EFL Trophy game against Oxford United). The teenager whose footballing role model is Lionel Messi, started the current campaign well and by the end of 2019 he had chipped in with four goals and five assists from 13 appearances for Matt Taylor’s side, before injury struck. Meaning that the teenager who had helped us progress to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup by scoring an important goal against Liverpool in round three, had to sit out our game against Wigan Athletic in round four, Spurs missed him massively. Chay is a versatile player who can operate out on either flank (owing to being good with both feet), in CAM and as a central midfielder. The stylish young player as a winger, is an exciting and direct player who loves to run at opposing defenders. Cooper will get you up off your seat with his pace (he seems to have got quicker this season), direct running and skill on the ball. The highly skilful lad from County Essex, is not only direct, but also unpredictable.

Cooper, who is often involved in Spurs under 18’s intricate attacking play, is a good crosser of the ball and his whipped deliveries often have a lot of pace on them. Furthermore, he is a fine dribbler who likes to weave his way past opponents however, he does mix up his game and will often cut inside before looking to take on further players, pick a pass or test the goalkeeper. Since first watching Chay play I have been hugely impressed by some of his Nathan Oduwa like (former Spurs youth player) skill moves that he pulls off. Oduwa was a highly skilful winger who did and tried things with a ball that would leave you questioning what you had just seen. Cooper does also like to pull off outrageous skill moves. One example of this came in our under 18’s 2-2 draw to Arsenal earlier in the season. In that game with the scores at 1-2 in second half stoppage time, Cooper knocked the ball over an Arsenal player before then deftly putting the ball through the legs of another player. Cooper then skilfully turned away from another Arsenal man as he continued forward before finding Kion Etete who finished it off after brining down Cooper’s nice and accurate lofted pass. As a central midfielder Cooper is silky, tidy and difficult to dispossess whereas, as a CAM he drops into good pockets of space, makes clever runs and helps to link the play.

The promising young player who has more often than not been played out wide this season, has so much for you to admire about his game. Having earlier drawn some small comparisons with Nathan Oduwa, another winger who reminds me a little bit of him in his style of play is 22 year old Anthony Georgiou. Like Georgiou, he is quick and has a good first touch however, although he is quite small and slight it is Cooper’s defensive work I.E: his tracking back, aggression and all round hard work which reminds me quite a bit of Georgiou. Cooper who, is also a good and effective communicator on the pitch, is a player who excites, creates chances and works hard for the team. One would assume that he is going to be developed primarily as a winger due to where he has been played for the majority of this season. And with performances of the quality of the one away to Aston Villa last season when he absolutely tormented their right back Brad Burton, by going on many an unpredictable surging run, hopefully he will continue to develop as a winger. Cooper is a player who will score and create goals for us at under 18 level and hopefully at under 23 level in the future, and for that he is a name that Spurs fans should remember. Cooper should be proud of how he has performed so far this season and I would like to wish Chay a successful recovery from his current injury, and I look forward to seeing him back in action for our under 18’s.

Some notes on Armando Shashoua’s loan move to Spanish side Atlético Baleares:

On Sunday it was announced via Atlético Baleares’ official Twitter account that young Spurs midfielder Armando Shashoua had joined the Spanish club, on loan until the end of June. Shashoua follows in his older brother Samuels (Samuel is also on loan at Atlético from Tenerife) footsteps in joining the Balearic club on loan. As you will all know from reading my many match reports and player reviews, Armando is one of my favourite ever Spurs youth players. A very technical and highly skilful player who can operate either as a central midfielder or as a CAM (Armando has been playing much more as a CAM for Spurs’ development side this season). Shashoua has the ability to glide gracefully past much bigger opponents, owing to his great balance and dribbling ability. So far this season the attacking midfielder has been directly involved in eight goals for Spurs’ development side (five goals and three assists) from 14 appearances. The 19 year old who was our under 18’s captain last season, has adapted really well to life in under 23 football and he has put in some match winning performances from the number ten position. Single handedly winning our under 23’s games against the likes of Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Shashoua will have undoubtedly impressed clubs who had been monitoring him.

 The Englishman who is also eligible to represent Spain, Venezuela, America and Egypt, is a very hot prospect at Spurs and his season so far has been one of great personal progress for the teenager from West London. Atlético Baleares ply their trade in the third tier of Spanish football (the Segunda Division B – Group 1) and Manix Mandiola’s side are currently situated in second place in the 20 team league, after coming so close last season to being promoted to the second tier. In terms of competition for the CM/CAM role, Armando will be competing with Scottish youngster Jordan Holsgrove (on loan from Reading) as well as Gorka Iturraspe, Marc Rovirola and Alberto Villapalos. I would imagine that Shashoua will play as an eight or more likely as a ten however, he has the on the ball strength and the tenacity to play as a four/holding midfielder in the men’s game. The Spanish third tier for those who aren’t aware isn’t exactly all Tiki-taka and smooth attacking play. It is in fact a very physical league and it can also be quite scrappy as I found out from last season, when I watched Samuel Shashoua and Anthony Georgiou in action on a regular basis. Armando will offer this talented and inform Atlético team a lot. As a midfield craftsman he will create numerous chances for the Atlético forwards (their top scorer this season is striker Toni Gabarré).

Shashoua is a forward passer who has a lovely weight of pass, and more importantly he knows when to make it. In addition, he is very adaptable to games and situations, and despite his small stature he imposes himself well on games and rarely gives away the ball. Constantly pressing the oppositions players, Armando is a real grafter who as well as being creative is very combative. Providing brains with brawn the highly intelligent footballer who was educated at Harrow School, often drops deep to link the play and keep the ball moving. Furthermore, the 19 year old has excellent off the ball movement and on the ball he will show off his lovely dribbling ability, which he can do at speed. Shashoua reminds me quite a bit of Brighton & Hove Albion first teamer and Colombia international Steven Alzate in his style of play. Both players have lovely balance, passing ability and both ooze class on the ball. Like Shashoua, Alzate has a real footballing brain and he is also versatile and adaptable. In addition both players do a very good job at linking the play. Another thing that Armando can offer this Atlético team is goals. As he has shown over the past two seasons is that he is a goal scorer. He is a poacher, and a number of his goals are tap ins owing to his fine positioning and movement in and around the danger zone.

I am delighted that Armando will get the opportunity to test himself against senior footballers on a regular basis, and I am sure that it will really aid his development in the game and make him a better player for when he returns to Spurs. The strides that Shashoua has made over the last year and a half have been remarkable and he certainly isn’t finished yet. This fantastic loan move will challenge him and also test him just like it did with Samuel last season I.E: adapting to a new culture. I have no doubts that Armando will make this loan move a success and force his way into this Atlético team. He should be extremely proud of himself for the way that he has played and developed over the past two and a half seasons. Watching him grow as a footballer has been wonderful and it will be just as great watching him take his first steps into the senior game. I would like to wish Armando all the very best of luck for this loan move and I look forward to following his games.

Some notes on young Spurs striker Kion Etete following his summer switch from Notts County:

Having now watched Spurs’ young centre forward Kion Reece Etete on over 20 occasions, I thought that I’d write a short piece on the second year scholar, to give Spurs fans a feel for what type of player the 18 year old is. Etete who is from Derby in the East Midlands, where he attended the Chellaston Academy, is a tall and physical striker. After going on trial with Spurs in the spring of the 2018/19 season from then league two club Notts County, Etete signed terms with Spurs in June ahead of the start of the 2019/20 season. The second year scholar who was a consistent performer for Notts County’s under 18’s and under 23’s (he also featured on six occasions for the ‘ Magpies ’ first team), impressed greatly on his under 18 debut for Spurs against West Ham when on trial last March. In the game against the ‘ Hammers ’ Etete scored two goals. However, Etete soon returned to Notts County although a number of big clubs were still trying to sign him. Etete returned to Spurs in May to travel with an under 19 side that competed in the end of season Terborg tournament in the Netherlands, where he was involved in four of the five matches that Spurs played.

Etete’s first involvement for Spurs as a permanent signing was at the pre-season Tournoi Europeen in France, at the start of the current campaign. Etete did well in the matches that he was involved in for Wayne Burnett’s development side, and he also scored a goal in the group game against French side SM Caen. Kion however, would start the 2019/20 season with our under 18’s. He started games against the likes of Fulham, Brighton, Swansea and West Ham at the beginning of the campaign. Where he led the line for Matt Taylor’s side in the absence of Troy Parrott who had been promoted to the first team squad. In fact Etete has been a regular and consistent performer for our under 18 side for the most part of this season, with the exception of a spell on the sidelines and some involvement with the development side where he hasn’t looked out of place (Etete impressed greatly on his full PL2 debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers back in October, where he led the line well). To describe Etete as a player, he is a tall and very physical centre forward. Not too unlike a young Peter Crouch to an extent (a player who also came through the youth ranks at Spurs) Etete is excellent in the air and is a good header of the ball, hence why a lot of his goals are scored with his head.

In addition, the second year scholar whose first team experience with Notts County shows in his play, is a skilful player who has quick feet. Again drawing back to my earlier comparisons with Peter Crouch who was a very skilful player in his own right. Etete has shown really good close ball control and skill in the games that he has been involved in for Spurs this season. Furthermore, the 18 year olds hold up play is another of his best attributes, and it is something which he is very good at. Being able to shield the ball with his strength and being able to bring others into the game, is a great asset of Etete’s. Kion tends to lean into opposing teams defenders and he makes himself a real handful. A prime example of this was in our under 18’s FA Youth Cup fourth round game against Wigan Athletic earlier in the month, where Etete really bothered the Wigan defenders by leaning into, and bullying them for large periods of the game. He also did a good job at winding them up and frustrating them by being relentless in his role as a target man. Etete also did well at laying the ball off for his teammates, and this is something that he is usually very good at. Apart from using his physicality to good effect, the former Notts County man is also a real grafter for the team, and he is also a good presser. 

I have been impressed so far this season with Etete’s attitude on the pitch and his willingness to press the opposing teams defenders into making errors. He also likes to made strong slide tackles and he certainly isn’t afraid to get stuck in. The young centre forward who is also eligible to represent Nigeria at international level, is essentially a target man however, let’s talk about his finishing and striking ability. Etete has a venomous right foot as he has shown on numerous occasions since I first started watching him play, and he also has a tendency to shoot from range. While the 18 year old may lack the pace of the slightly younger Troy Parrott, he is still very good in front of goal. Etete shows good composure in front of goal, he also takes up intelligent positions in and around the danger zone, and he also times his runs well. So far this season Etete has been involved in nine goals from 17 competitive appearances (six goals and three assists) for Spurs this season at under 18, 19 and 23 level. That’s quite an impressive return from the young man who also found the back of the net in a behind closed doors friendly against Beijing Renhe, yesterday. As I bring this short article to a close I’d just like to focus on two games that Etete has been involved in for our under 18’s this season, those games were against Leicester City and Swansea City. 

In the game against Leicester City back in December 2019, Etete led the line with aplomb. He worked hard throughout the game, he pressed the ‘ Foxes ’ defenders relentlessly and he scrapped well for the ball. Etete also held the ball up really well and he netted a fine goal. After receiving the ball with his back to goal inside the Leicester penalty area in the first half, Etete turned sharply onto his right foot before rifling the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. It was an excellent all round performance from the Spurs striker. In addition, in Etete’s most recent game for our under 18’s (last Saturday’s game against Swansea City) Etete put in arguably his best performance of the season thus far for Spurs. Once again he held the ball up brilliantly against the ‘ Swans ’ as well as linking up well with the two Spurs wingers and the CAM (Max Robson) who he helped to bring into the game. However, Etete also took up intelligent positions and he made some good runs in behind the Swansea defenders. He was also dominant in the air and he scored a good headed goal during the early part of the game. Etete also hit a wicked effort from around 25 yards out from goal a whisker wide of the Swansea goalkeepers near post. He gave a great account of himself. Etete is clearly a promising young talent and I look forward to following his progress for Spurs over the next couple of seasons. Kion should be proud of how he has adapted to life at Spurs and I would like to wish him all the very best of luck for the remainder of the season.

Spurs under 18’s 3-0 Swansea City: (match report)

Matt Taylor’s Tottenham Hotspur under 18 side welcomed the Premier League South’s basement club Swansea City to Hotspur Way on Saturday morning, for a league clash. Spurs comprehensively defeated the Welsh club by three goals to nil, to make it four league wins in a row for Matt Taylor’s boys. This was another hugely satisfying performance from Spurs who, showed great character and a real togetherness as a team. We created a lot of chances (Etete, John and Bennett got our goals) but we also won the midfield battle, and we defended really well. Spurs lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation as Kacper Kurylowicz started in goal. A back four made up of Kallum Cesay, captain Marqes Muir, Dermi Lusala and Jordan Hackett lined up in front of him. Nile John (returning from a spell on the sidelines) and Aaron Skinner partnered up in central midfield, while Rafferty Pedder and J’Neil Bennett operated out on the flanks, either side of CAM Max Robson. 18 year old striker Kion Etete led the line for Spurs. Swansea got the game underway on a bitterly cold January morning. Spurs started the game quite brightly and after Kion Etete played an early one two with Max Robson on the edge of the Swansea box, the Spurs centre forward had a shot on goal which was blocked behind by Swansea’s Luke McKendry. Kallum Cesay then blazed an effort wide from long range before Kacper Kurylowicz gathered Kiam Williams’ cross, before Luke Motruk managed to set Josh Thomas through on goal, after playing a clever forward pass.

Thomas shot early however, his effort was well saved and then gathered by Kurylowicz who had come out to meet the Swansea striker. Nile John then had a shot blocked by Luke McKendry before J’Neil Bennett received Dermi Lusala’s pass down the left flank. Bennett advanced forward before whipping the ball across the face of the Swansea goal. After Kiam Williams managed to thread a pass through to Josh Thomas inside the Spurs box, we looked as if we were in trouble. However, Marqes Muir managed to catch up with Thomas before getting a vital toe on the ball to take it away from the Swansea man. After going past William Rickard and Erick Kenko-Djoudie, Max Robson whipped a low effort just wide of the Swansea goal. Then a couple of moments later J’Neil Bennett had a shot blocked by Morgan Clark before Spurs took the lead in the 20th minute of the game. After Kion Etete passed the ball to J’Neil Bennett on the left flank, the Spurs winger clipped a cross into the Swansea box. Etete jumped up and attacked it, and while his header may have lacked pace it still managed to creep into the bottom left hand corner of Tyler Evans’ goal, 1-0. Shortly after the restart Kacper Kurylowicz punched clear Kiam Williams’ free kick before Spurs came desperately close to doubling their lead. After Kallum Cesay passed the ball to Nile John, the skilful Spurs midfielder burst into the Swansea box before managing to sidestep his way past Luke McKendry. John then had a poked effort on goal saved by Tyler Evans before his second effort was cleared off the line by McKendry.

Spurs did manage to double their lead a couple of minutes later and it was Nile John who managed to get on the scoresheet. After receiving Max Robson’s pass down the right hand side of the Swansea penalty area, he squared the ball to John who had made a run into the box before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 2-0. A couple of minutes later J’Neil Bennett whipped an effort a fraction wide of the Swansea goal after cutting inside from the left flank. After Cameron Congreve managed to play the ball to Josh Thomas down the left hand side of the Swansea box, Kurylowicz came out to make a good stop to prevent the Swansea strikers effort from going in. After William Rickard managed to surge past Jordan Hackett down the right flank, he whipped in a low cross which was gathered by Kurylowicz. A good Spurs move then resulted in Pedder passing the ball to John who gave it to Robson, who then gave it to Etete on the edge of the Swansea box but his first time effort was saved by Tyler Evans. Max Robson then had an effort cleared away by McKendry before Cesay had an effort on goal blocked by the same player. Cesay won a free kick in a promising position on the edge of the Swansea box however, J’Neil Bennett’s resulting whipped effort was saved by Tyler Evans in what was the final piece of action from the first half. Spurs got the second half underway. After Kiam Williams passed the ball to Luke Motruck the Swansea winger whipped the ball into the Spurs box. Motruck’s cross was palmed away by Kurylowicz before William Rickard picked up the ball however, his shot on goal was well saved by Kurylowicz.

J’Neil Bennett forced a low save out of Tyler Evans with an effort from distance before Kion Etete received Max Robson’s pass before looking up (he was some 25 yards out from goal) and whipping a wicked, powerful effort a fraction wide of the Swansea goal. After a Swansea attack broke down Luke Motruck picked up the ball down the left side of the Spurs box before he hit Kurylowicz’s right hand post with a powerful effort. Dante Cassanova came onto replace Nile John shortly afterwards as Cassanova filled in at right back, while Cesay moved into central midfield. Dermi Lusala did well to clear Cameron Congreve’s cross before J’Neil Bennett showed some great skill down the left flank, before passing the ball to Etete down the right side of the Swansea box however, his clipped effort went wide of the Swansea goal. Romaine Mundle came onto replace Rafferty Pedder shortly afterwards before Dante Cassanova managed to block Joel Cotterill’s effort on goal after Josh Thomas had surged into the Spurs box. A good Spurs move at the other end of the pitch then saw Bennett pass the ball to Mundle who gave it to Robson in the Swansea box. Robson flicked the ball up before having an acrobatic effort cleared behind by Luke McKendry. Kallum Cesay then managed to set Romaine Mundle through on goal with a good pass however, his effort on goal was saved by Tyler Evans who came rushing out. Mundle then had an effort blocked by Scott Butler. A couple of minutes later and after skinning Kai Ludvigsen down the left flank, J’Neil Bennett crossed the ball for Romaine Mundle who headed wide. Yago Santiago came onto replace Jordan Hackett before Spurs netted their third goal of the game. After Aaron Skinner did well to find J’Neil Bennett out on the left flank, the skilful winger cut inside onto his right foot before whipping a delightful effort into the top right hand corner of Tyler Evans’ goal, 3-0.

Kion Etete nodded wide Dante Cassanova’s cross before Etete then headed wide J’Neil Bennett’s delivery into the Spurs box, in what was the final piece of action of the game. Spurs’ next league game is away to Norwich City on the first of February.

Player reviews:

• Kacper Kurylowicz: The Tottenham goalkeeper made three important saves on the day and once again he dealt well with crosses and set pieces, while also doing a good job at organising and talking the back four through the game.
• Kallum Cesay: After putting in a good, solid performance at right back, Kallum Cesay got forward well and he made some good passes. In addition he slotted in well to central midfield for the latter part of the game.
• Marqes Muir: The first year scholar took the captains armband for today’s game and he was absolutely immense at the back. Muir was faultless, making several important defensive interventions including a hugely important one on Josh Thomas in the first half to stop what would have been a certain Swansea goal. Muir was also good in the air and he brought the ball out well from the back.
• Dermi Lusala: Alongside Muir was LCB Dermi Lusala who had a good game and he read it well.
• Jordan Hackett: The left back knew when to attack and when to stay deep, and he made some intelligent decisions throughout the game.
• Aaron Skinner: My man of the match, see below. 
• Nile John: On his return from injury the highly skilful John put in a good performance in central midfield. The 16 year old showed good skill on the ball and he took his goal well and was unluckily not to have netted another one in the first half.
• Rafferty Pedder: Playing out on the right wing for this fixture, Pedder did well when he got on the ball and he was invoked in some intricate attacking play although he did tend to get isolated a little bit.
• Max Robson: It was a quite fantastic performance from the aggressive and high pressing Max Robson, who excelled in the CAM role. Robson was always the first to the ball and he created some good chances for Spurs. Robson’s great dribbling ability and close ball control made him a very difficult player to defend against. He was also unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
• J’Neil Bennett: The speedy left winger caused a lot of problems for the Swansea right back and he went on some great galavanting forward runs. Bennett was unpredictable and he took his goal very well indeed.
• Kion Etete: The tall centre forward had an excellent game for Spurs against the ‘ Swans ’. Etete held the ball up excellently, he worked extremely hard for the team, and he was creative. Etete set up one goal and scored another, and he came desperately close to scoring another in the second half. This was a very good performance from the second year scholar.
• Dante Cassanova: The schoolboy put in a solid performance at right back.
• Romaine Mundle: The right winger came on in the second half and he showed some good skill and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Mundle took up some intelligent positions on the pitch.
• Yago Santiago: The late substitute hardly touched the ball during his short time on the pitch. 

My man of the match: This was a very difficult decision to make as Marqes Muir, Max Robson and Kion Etete were all very, very good on the day. However, I’m going to give it to the reliable and hardworking teenager from Salford -Aaron Skinner. For the second time in seven days I thought that Skinner was our under 18’s best player. His sheer reading of the game and tenacity in the middle of the pitch helped Spurs to win the midfield battle. Making countless strong challenges and well timed interceptions, the 17 year old mopped up well in the middle of the park and once again he put in a very George Marsh like performance for Spurs. Skinner also did well to set up J’Neil Bennett for his late goal which really was the icing on the cake, of what was a very good performance from the central midfielder.

Spurs under 18’s statistics 2019/20:

Goals: 

Tarrelle Whittaker – 7

Max Robson – 5

Kion Etete –  5

J’Neil Bennett – 5

Chay Cooper – 4

Enock Asante – 3

Harvey White – 3

Kallum Cesay – 2

Rafferty Pedder – 2

Troy Parrott – 2

Dennis Cirkin – 2

Dane Scarlett – 1

Romaine Mundle – 1

Nile John – 1

Assists:

Max Robson – 5

Chay Cooper – 5

J’Neil Bennett – 5

Tarrelle Whittaker – 3

Dermi Lusala –  3

Romaine Mundle – 3

Kion Etete – 3

Troy Parrott – 2

Rafferty Pedder – 2

Dennis Cirkin – 2

Harvey White – 2

Enock Asante – 2

Luis Binks – 1

Michael Craig – 1

Eddie Carrington – 1

Kallum Cesay – 1

Marqes Muir –  1

Yago Santiago – 1

Jordan Hackett – 1

Aaron Skinner – 1

Clean sheets: 

Kacper Kurylowicz – 4

Josh Oluwayemi – 1

Spurs under 18’s versus Swansea City: (match preview)

Our under 18’s will welcome the Premier League South’s basement side Swansea City to Hotspur Way on Saturday morning, for a league clash. Matt Taylor’s side have won their last three league matches in a row and they’ll be looking to make it four when they take on Anthony Wright’s and Alan Tate’s Swansea City side, who have only picked up five points from 11 league games this season. In the reverse fixture back in August, Spurs comprehensively beat the ‘ Swans ’ by four goals to nil after a close first half which finished goalless. Goals from Chay Cooper, Kion Etete, and an own goal from Scott Buttler secured the win for Spurs in the second half, in what was a good and dominant performance. Swansea lost 8-0 to Chelsea in their last league game, and they have struggled defensively this season, conceding 46 goals. However, this will still be a tough game for Spurs as Swansea have some good players. Physical centre forward Ali Al-Hamadi is one to watch, as is the ‘ Swans ’ top scorer this season Josh Thomas. Also defender Tivonge Rushesha put in quite a good performance in the reverse fixture. As there is no under 23 game until next month it is quite possible that Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Luis Binks and Harvey White might drop down to the under 18’s for tomorrow’s game. My in-depth match report will be out by tomorrow evening. I would like to wish the lads all the very best of luck for the game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Kurylowicz, Muir, Fagan-Walcott, Binks (c), Lusala, White, Skinner, Whittaker, Pedder, Bennett, Etete.

Subs from: Lo-Tutala, Hackett, Matthew Craig, John, Mundle.

Injured/unavailable: Michael Craig. 

Doubtful: Max Robson, Enock Asante, Chay Cooper, Nile John.

Previous meeting: Spurs 4-0.

My score prediction: Spurs 6-1.

My one to watch: First year scholar and forward Josh Thomas, who has scored six goals for the ‘ Swans ’ under 18 side so far this season. 

Farewell and good luck Paris Maghoma:

On Thursday it was announced (via Paris Maghoma’s Instagram page) that young Spurs midfielder Paris Maghoma (18) had left the club to join fellow London side Brentford on a permanent transfer (he will likely link up with the West London clubs B team for the time being). Maghoma is a skilful, attack minded midfielder who has a wide ranging skill set, and who has been at Spurs since a very young age. The teenager who was born in Enfield but brought up in Finchley where he attended Finchley Catholic High School, is an England under 19 international and has been on the radar of Spurs youth followers for quite some time. The youngest of three brothers (all footballers) Christian and Jacques. Paris had often played above his age group at schoolboy level, and he made his competitive debut for our under 18’s as a 15 year old against West Ham back in the August of 2016. Paris, who is also eligible to represent the Democratic Republic Of Congo and Belgium at international level, would go onto feature on four more occasions for our under 18’s that season before signing his scholarship forms in the summer of 2017. In the North Londoner’s first year of scholarship at Spurs, he was a mainstay in the clubs under 18 and under 19 side, putting in a string of very impressive performances for both sides. 

Maghoma also impressed greatly at that seasons ALKASS Cup where he put in some really dominant performances in central midfield. However, in the following season (2018/19) Maghoma excelled even further for his club side. After winning the prestigious player of the tournament award at the Tournoi Europeen in the summer of 2018, before then featuring for the first team in a pre-season friendly against Spanish side Girona. Maghoma soon found himself playing as a regular for Spurs’ development side, where he became an important member of Wayne Burnett’s team. Regularly playing in the CAM role or out wide on the flanks, Maghoma was in good goal scoring form and he put in some excellent and memorable performances against the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Gillingham, Wolfsburg II and Swansea City. The midfielder who cites Brazilian legend Ronaldinho as his footballing inspiration, was directly involved in significantly more goals than the previous season and he had improved in his all round footballing ability, and he had reached double figures for goals that he was involved in. Maghoma started this current campaign with our development side, once again playing in the Tournoi Europeen before helping a Spurs under 19 side reach the final of the 2019 Oberndorf tournament. In competitive competitions Paris played 16 times for Spurs at youth level this season, scoring two goals and assisting on one occasion.

The technically gifted midfielder who loves to drive forward at oppositions defences, is a player who is improving all of the time. I have had some great memories of watching Paris play for Spurs at youth level over the last couple of seasons. A player who I have watched extensively, Maghoma is a very talented young man who has such a great future in the game. He is technically superb, and with his lovely slaloming forward runs, incisive passing, confidence and ability to influence a game and beat a man, gets you up off your seat. Maghoma is one of those players who his new clubs fans will really enjoy watching for their B team, and eventually for their first team. He is a brave and committed midfielder who is good at taking set pieces, but also at taking attacking gambles. Reminding me a bit of a young Ross Barkley, Maghoma was so often the difference maker for our development side with his attacking flair and good Dele-esque off the ball movement. He is also a very hard worker who has a high work rate, is strong on the ball, and he also shows good concentration throughout matches. There is so much to admire about Paris Maghoma’s style of play as I went into great detail about last season, when I wrote an in-depth piece on the then second year scholar. He is one of those exciting but very well disciplined players who can adapt to the flow of matches.

Spurs’ loss is Brentford’s gain and I sincerely hope that Paris excels at the ‘ Bees ’ over the next couple of seasons. He is in my eyes a player who will without doubt play in the Premier League at some point in his career, and by playing for Brentford’s B team who play against some well established B teams as well as some big European clubs, this will undoubtedly aid his development as a player. Paris is the first of our very talented group of first year pros to leave and I am sad to see him go as I had such high hopes for him at Spurs, but also because he is a very polite young man who would always make an effort to say hello to me at matches. I would like to take this opportunity to wish the skilful midfielder all the very best of luck for the future at his new club, and to thank him for his great service to Spurs’ under 18’s and development side. I look forward to following his progress in the game !

Spurs under 23’s 2-2 Derby County: (match report) 

Wayne Burnett’s development side traveled up to Loughborough on Monday evening to take on highly flying Derby County (the ‘ Rams ’ fielded a strong side against Spurs) in the PL2, at the Loughborough University Stadium. Spurs started Monday’s league match in excellent fashion, and they led by two goals to one at the break thanks to goals from Elliot Thorpe and Luis Binks. However, after putting in a dominant first half performance Derby County responded in the second half by matching Spurs. The ‘ Rams ‘ pulled a goal back through Morgan Whittaker on 73 minutes and both sides were forced to settle for a point. Wayne Burnett’s side lined up with Brandon Austin in goal, while a back four consisting of captain TJ Eyoma, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Luis Binks and Brooklyn Lyons-Foster lined up in front of him. Harvey White and Tariq Hinds partnered up in central midfield while Shilow Tracey and Dilan Markanday operated out on the flanks, either side of CAM Elliot Thorpe. Rodel Richards led the line for Spurs. Derby got the game underway on a bitterly cold and rainy night in the Midlands. Spurs started the game well and after latching onto the ball, Spurs winger Shilow Tracey surged forward down the right flank before whipping the ball dangerously across the face of the Derby goal. 

A couple of moments later Dilan Markanday passed the ball to Rodel Richards in the Derby box however, his shot on goal was blocked behind by Ethan Wassall. Luis Binks then met Harvey White’s corner kick but his headed effort on goal was blocked by Wassall at the near post. Shortly afterwards Jahmal Hector-Ingram robbed Luis Binks of the ball before feeding it into Alex Babos who passed it to Cameron Cresswell in the Spurs box. His shot however, was blocked by TJ Eyoma. Callum Minley headed Alex Babos’ corner kick wide a couple of minutes later at Brandon Austin’s back post before Spurs managed to take the lead in the tenth minute of the game through Elliot Thorpe, courtesy of a well worked move. After left back Brooklyn Lyons-Foster passed the ball to Dilan Markanday down the left flank, Markanday whipped a low cross into Elliot Thorpe inside the Derby box and the former Wales under 19 internationals side footed, first time effort went into the bottom left hand corner of the Derby goal, 1-0. Shortly after the restart Brandon Austin’s long kick up field came to Rodel Richards up top. Richards skipped past Derby first teamer Krystian Bielik who slipped, before then darting into the Derby box and forcing a good save out of Heinrich Ravas from his curling effort. Spurs doubled their lead from the resulting corner kick. Harvey White’s excellent whipped delivery was met by Luis Binks who ran towards the near post before generating enough power in his header to beat Ravas and find the bottom right hand corner of the goal, 2-0. 

Spurs continued their good start to the game and after receiving TJ Eyoma’s pass out on the right flank, Shilow Tracey’s cross was headed narrowly over the bar by Harvey White. Elliot Thorpe was shown a yellow card for making a strong sliding challenge on Derby’s Jordan Brown. A couple of minutes later and after latching onto TJ Eyoma’s pass out on the right flank, Tracey cut inside before firing a low deflected effort just wide of the Derby goal. Harvey White’s resulting corner kick was met by Malachi Fagan-Walcott whose headed effort was cleared by Ethan Wassall, forcing another corner kick. This time Harvey White’s free kick was met by Binks whose bullet header was cleared on the line by Babos before Rodel Richards then had an effort saved by Ravas. A couple of minutes later Rodel Richards flicked Harvey White’s corner kick across the face of the Derby goal, before Binks volleyed over a whipped cross from Tariq Hinds into the Derby box. After latching onto the ball Jahmal Hector-Ingram burst into the Spurs box (he was put under good pressure by Binks who slid in late) before firing the ball against Brandon Austin’s crossbar. Malachi Fagan-Walcott received a yellow card for committing a foul on Cameron Cresswell. A couple of minutes later Elliot Thorpe passed the ball to Shilow Tracey who burst into the Derby box before whipping the ball across the face of the goal. 

Malachi Fagan-Walcott blocked Louie Sibley’s shot before then blocking Cameron Cresswell’s shot inside the Spurs box. Then at the other end of the pitch, and after receiving Dilan Markanday’s pass Harvey White whipped the ball narrowly over Henrich Ravas’ crossbar from the edge of the Derby box. After Eyoma conceded a free kick in the sixth minute of first half stoppage time, Louie Sibley whipped the ball into the Spurs box where it was met by Jordan Brown who headed the ball home, 2-1. That was the final piece of action from the first half. Spurs got the second half underway. Brooklyn Lyons-Foster’s early cross was gathered by Henrich Ravas before Shilow Tracey whipped a dangerous ball across the face of the Derby goal. After receiving Louie Sibley’s pass inside the Tottenham box Jahmal Hector-Ingram fired the ball over Brandon Austin’s crossbar. After some great skill from Rodel Richards inside the Derby box, he passed the ball to Dilan Markanday whose effort on goal was blocked by Ethan Wassall. Harvey White then sent a powerful, looping effort from range over the Derby crossbar before Derby again came close to netting an equaliser. After Jahmal Hector-Ingram had crossed the ball into Josh Shonibare in the Spurs box but he fired the ball harmlessly over Brandon Austin’s crossbar. A couple of minutes later Shonibare headed Louie Sibley’s cross just wide of Brandon Austin’s goal. Rodel Richards then won a free kick on the edge of the Derby box. Harvey White stood up to take it however, his whipped effort was blocked by the Derby wall. 

Then in the 73rd minute of the game Derby drew level through Morgan Whittaker. After latching onto the ball on the edge of the Spurs penalty area, Whittaker let fly on his right foot. His powerful effort took a big deflection off of Malachi Fagan-Walcott before coming off the underside of Brandon Austin’s crossbar, and bouncing into the roof of the net, 2-2. Phoenix Patterson then came onto replace Elliot Thorpe in the CAM role. Dilan Markanday had a low effort from the edge of the Derby box, saved by Henrich Ravas. Before Harvey White received Phoenix Patterson inside the Derby box, but his shot on goal was blocked by Ethan Wassall. Brandon Austin then saved Jahmal Hector-Ingram’s low effort from the edge of the Spurs box, before Archie Brown whipped a dangerous ball across the face of Austin’s goal, before Alex Babos hit an effort off of Luis Binks. After Alex Babos managed to find Louie Sibley down the left side of the Spurs box however, his effort on goal was blocked well by Phoenix Patterson, before Babos fired the ball wide of Austin’s goal. Rayan Clarke came onto replace Rodel Richards up top before Luis Binks cleared away Louie Sibley’s cross. Alex Babos’ effort from the edge of the Spurs box came off the underside of Brandon Austin’s crossbar before bouncing away. A couple of minutes later and after receiving Josh Shonibare’s pass down the left flank, Morgan Whittaker cut inside onto his right foot before firing the ball over Brandon Austin’s crossbar. Jonathan Dinzeyi then replaced Dilan Markanday as he went up top.

Jahmal Hector-Ingram shot just wide from the edge of the Spurs box before Whittaker passed the ball to Hector-Ingram who gave the ball to Alex Babos, whose tapped effort from close range was gathered by Brandon Austin in what was the final piece of action of the game. This game really was a game of two halves. 

Player reviews:

• Brandon Austin: The Spurs goalkeeper made two saves both of which were routine ones. Austin organised the back four well and he was also a commanding presence inside his penalty area.
• TJ Eyoma: The Spurs captain had a strong first half where he was solid and effective at linking up with Shilow Tracey. Eyoma had a decent second half and he made some good interceptions.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: The RCB was very good on the ball and he made some good clearances and interceptions.
• Luis Binks: The LCB was dominant in the air, he made some important clearances and he took his first half goal well. 
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: One of Spurs’ best defensive performers on the night, Lyons-Foster who was involved in the build up play to Spurs’ opening goal, was solid at left back. The 19 year old impressed in the air (he made some lovely cushioned headed clearances) and he was good on the ground (he made some good interceptions and kept good positioning). The Islington born defender also got up and down the left flank well.
• Harvey White: The midfielders set pieces were excellent on the night and he did a decent job at patrolling the middle of the park. 
• Tariq Hinds: The fullback put in a decent performance in central midfield alongside Harvey White. Hinds was tenacious and he showed good energy. 
• Dilan Markanday: I thought that Markanday had a good game and after setting up Elliot Thorpe’s opener he went on some decent attacking forays down the left flank. Markanday also tracked back well and he made some nice twist and turns.
• Elliot Thorpe: This was another positive performance from Thorpe who I was absolutely delighted for, on him netting his first ever PL2 goal (and it was a well taken one too!). Thorpe played with real bite and he was always looking to receive the ball and make that forward pass.
• Shilow Tracey: My man of the match, see below. 
• Rodel Richards: The Spurs centre forward worked very hard but he will have been disappointed that he couldn’t have taken one of his fine chances.
• Phoenix Patterson: The second half substitute came on for the final 16 minutes of the game to play in the CAM role. Patterson made a couple of good passes.
• Rayan Clarke: Clarke operated out on the left flank for the final moments of the game.
• Jonathan Dinzeyi: The 20 year old central defender came on towards the end of the game to play up top. That is something that Dinzeyi has done on a couple of occasions before for our under 23’s.

My man of the match: On his 16th appearance of the season for our development side, 21 year old winger Shilow Tracey put in a very good performance out on the right flank. Tracey’s pace, skill and direct running made life very difficult for the Derby left back as Tracey constantly had the beating of his man. Apart from the former Ebbsfleet United mans many excellent surging forward runs, the quality of Tracey’s crosses were very good (they were nice whipped ones) and his decision making in the final third was also good. 

Derby County: Ravas, Minkley, McDonald (Ebosele 5), Brown, Bielek (Brown 18) Wassall, Whittaker, Babos, Hector-Ingram, Sibley, Cresswell (Shonibare 60). Substitutes (not used): Barnes, Thompson.

Spurs: Austin, Eyoma, Lyons-Foster, Hinds, Fagan-Walcott, Binks, Tracey, White, Richards (R Clarke 83), Thorpe (Patterson 74), Markanday (Dinzeyi 87). Substitutes (not used): De Bie, Statham.

Spurs under 23’s statistics: 

Goals: Armando Shashoua – 5

Harvey White – 3

Rodel Richards – 3

Jamie Bowden – 3

Troy Parrott – 2

Kazaiah Sterling – 2

Tashan Oakley-Boothe – 2

Dilan Markanday – 2

Shilow Tracey – 1

Paris Maghoma – 1

Phoenix Patterson – 1

Elliot Thorpe – 1

Luis Binks – 1

Assists: Shilow Tracey – 5

Dilan Markanday – 4

Tashan Oakley-Boothe – 3

Armando Shashoua – 3

Rodel Richards – 2

Tariq Hinds – 2

Jamie Bowden – 1

Paris Maghoma – 1

Kazaiah Sterling – 1

TJ Eyoma – 1

Maurizio Pochettino – 1

Harvey White – 1

Clean sheets: Brandon Austin – 1

Josh Oluwayemi – 1