Month: April 2022

Spurs Under 18’s 2-3 Norwich City: (match report)

Posted on by superhotspur

Spurs’ Under 18 side faced Norwich City on Saturday, in a Premier League South fixture at their Lotus Training Centre. The second time that Spurs’ Under 18 side have faced Norwich in the league this month, Stuart Lewis’ side lost the match 3-2, in what was a difficult game for Spurs, with Norwich getting better and better as the match went on. Spurs lined-up with Aaron Maguire in goal, while a back four of Will Andiyapan, Alfie Dorrington, Archie Chaplin and Jahziah Linton started in front of him. Dante Cassanova and Rio Kyerematen started the match in central midfield, while Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Thomas Bloxham started the match out on the flanks, either side of CAM Riley Owen. Spurs’ captain Jaden Williams led the line. Norwich got the match underway. Riley Owen had an early effort blocked on the edge of the Norwich box, before Michael Reindorf headed wide Harry Brooke’s cross at the other end of the pitch, not long after. Dorrington headed wide from a Cassanova free-kick on the right flank, and then Spurs took the lead in the 14th minute of the match. 

After Norwich City goalkeeper David Aziaya’s clearance wasn’t cleared as he would have liked, the ball came to Jaden Williams. The Spurs forward received the ball inside the Norwich box, and he then gave the ball to Thomas Bloxham, on the left side of the Norwich penalty area. Bloxham came inside onto his right foot and found the right hand corner of the goal, with a good curling effort, 1-0. A good Spurs move followed, and after Bloxham managed to find Sam Amo-Ameyaw on the right side of a Norwich box with a pass, Amo-Ameyaw came inside with the ball before curling an effort just over the goal. After winning the ball on the left flank, Joe Duffy came inside onto his right foot before hitting a brilliant effort from distance towards Maguire’s goal, which went in off his left hand post, 1-1. Jaden Williams and Archie Chaplin both had efforts blocked inside the Norwich box, before Dante Cassanova did well to block Alex Matos’ effort behind, from the right side of the Spurs box. 

Sam Amo-Ameyaw came inside from the right and had a low effort saved by David Aziaya. Riley Owen then hit an effort over the Norwich goal. Harry Brooke’s pass towards Alex Matos in behind the Spurs defence, allowed the winger to go down the left side of the Spurs box, before having his effort well saved by Maguire. Rio Kyerematen had an effort blocked inside the Norwich box, and then just before half-time Norwich took the lead for the first time in the game. A good long pass from the right flank to Ken Aboh, resulted in the Norwich centre-forward taking the ball into the Spurs box, before finishing low into the goal, past Aaron Maguire, 1-2. Spurs got the second half underway. Harry Brooke’s lofted pass to Ken Aboh inside the Spurs box, resulted in the Norwich forward having an effort saved by Maguire. The Spurs goalkeeper then saved well from Alex Matos’ effort inside the Spurs box. Spurs then made a double change as Maxwell McKnight and Billy Heaps came on to replace Thomas Bloxham and Riley Owen respectively.

After going on a good run with the ball, Ken Aboh passed the ball to the impressive Finley Welch on the edge of the Spurs box, but his effort went over the goal. After receiving Rio Kyerematen’s pass on the left side of the Norwich box, Maxwell McKnight hit an effort over the goal. Amo-Ameyaw then had a low effort from the edge of the Norwich box saved, before Spurs managed to score an equaliser. After getting on the ball following a loose pass from a Norwich defender, Dante Cassanova passed the ball to Jaden Williams inside the Norwich box, and he then passed the ball to Rio Kyerematen, who finished well from his first time low effort, 2-2. Harry Brooke hit an effort wide from the right side of the Spurs box, and then a couple of minutes later Brandon Bryan-Waugh replaced Will Andiyapan. After having an effort blocked, Rio Kyerematen tried his luck from the left side of the Spurs box, but David Aziaya managed to stop the ball with his feet. Cassanova had an effort blocked after meeting Sam Amo-Ameyaw’s corner-kick inside the Norwich box. 

A good long pass from Billy Heaps to find Maxwell McKnight down the left side of the Norwich box, resulted in McKnight going inside onto his right foot and hitting the ball narrowly wide of the goal. Norwich regained the lead after their captain Bradley Hills found the bottom right hand corner of Aaron Maguire’s goal from a header, after meeting Finley Welch’s cross, 2-3. Archie Chaplin blocked Joe Duffy’s effort, before Aaron Maguire saved Finley Welch’s low effort from distance. Rio Kyerematen received a yellow card, and then the alert Archie Chaplin managed to block Alex Matos’ effort inside the Spurs box, before deflecting a cross onto Maguire’s crossbar. Two late chances saw Williams have an effort blocked inside the Norwich box, and then a couple of minutes later Ben Watt hit an effort over after receiving the ball down the right side of the Spurs box. A late confrontation between both sets of players resulted in Alfie Dorrington and Jahziah Linton both receiving yellow cards, before the referee sounded his whistle for full-time. Spurs face Brighton away on Tuesday, in their next Premier League South match.

Player reviews: 

  • Aaron Maguire: The Spurs goalkeeper and second year scholar made some impressive saves that kept Spurs in the match. Maguire’s distribution was also good, and he tried his best to calm down the late confrontation between both sets of players.
  • Will Andiyapan: The right-back often stayed deep to help out the defence, but unfortunately he picked up an injury during the second half, and he had to be substituted.
  • Alfie Dorrington: The right sided centre-half often went on good and skilful runs out from the back, with the ball.
  • Archie Chaplin: Reading the game well and showing good pace on occasions, centre-half Archie Chaplin had quite a lot of defending to do alongside Alfie Dorrington, during the second half.
  • Jahziah Linton: The left-back got forward well throughout the match.
  • Dante Cassanova: The defensive-midfielder worked hard in midfield, and he was involved in Spurs’ second goal of the game.
  • Rio Kyerematen: Starting the match in central midfield but later moving into the CAM role, midfielder Rio Kyerematen took his second half goal well, and he went on some good forward runs with the ball.
  • Sam Amo-Ameyaw: Starting the game really well out on the right flank as a winger, Amo-Ameyaw came close to scoring a goal during the first half.
  • Riley Owen: The CAM brought the ball forward well on occasions, and he worked hard off the ball in the unfamiliar CAM role.
  • Thomas Bloxham: The scorer of a well taken early goal, Republic of Ireland Under 17 international Thomas Bloxham impressed with his link-up play during the first half.
  • Jaden Williams: My man of the match, see below. 
  • Maxwell McKnight: The second half substitute was direct with the ball, and he came very close to scoring a goal, after he came inside onto his right foot and hit an effort narrowly wide of the Norwich goal.  
  • Billy Heaps: The midfielder made some good passes from midfield during his time on the pitch.
  • Brandon Bryan-Waugh: The right-back and second half substitute went on an impressive forward run with the ball down the right flank, during his time on the pitch.

My man of the match: Jaden Williams. The centre-forward and Spurs captain led the line well on Saturday. The first year scholar made some good runs in behind the Norwich defence, worked really hard off the ball and set-up both of Spurs’ goals. Williams deserved a goal today. 

Spurs Under 18’s versus Norwich City (match preview)

Posted on by superhotspur

Spurs’ Under 18 side will face Norwich City at their Lotus Training Centre on Saturday morning (the game starts at 11:30am), in a Premier League South fixture. Spurs won 2-1 at home to Norwich in the reverse league fixture earlier this month, but that was not an easy win for Spurs, and Norwich were the better team in the second half of that game. Norwich are currently in 14th place in the Premier League South, after picking up seven points from 24 league games this season, they have also lost their last three league games going into the match with Spurs tomorrow. Spurs have won four of their last five Premier League South matches, and are in  good form of late. This will be another difficult game for Spurs, but it should be an interesting one. It should also be interesting to see what the team is, as Spurs’ Under 23 side face Brighton in a Premier League 2 match on Monday. I would like to wish the Spurs team all the very best of luck for the match tomorrow.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Maguire, Bryan-Waugh, Dorrington, Sayers (c), Hackett, Abbott, Davies, McKnight, Kyerematen, Owen, Williams.

Subs from: Hayton, Chaplin, Linton, Heaps, Bloxham.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 2-1.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-1.

My one to watch: Brad Hills. The Norwich City defender was in my opinion Norwich’s best player for their Under 18 side in the reverse fixture earlier this month. A commanding defender, Hills also scored Norwich’s only goal of that game.

A piece on Spurs’ highly skilful Academy midfielder Nile John:

Posted on by superhotspur

Nile John made his return to the Spurs Under 23 side earlier in the week, in their Premier League 2 fixture with Derby County. The west London born professional footballer who is still on loan with League One side Charlton Athletic (he has yet to make an appearance for them this season), has made good strides this season with the Spurs Under 23 side. John is a versatile midfield player, who can play as a defensive-midfielder, a central-midfielder in a more forward role, a CAM or out wide as a winger. The England Under 19 international who has often been a regular for England at youth level, made his competitive debut for the Spurs Under 18 side in a 5-3 Premier League South win over West Ham United (he provided an assist in that game), during the 2018/19 season. John signed scholarship forms with Spurs during the summer of 2019, but during his first year of scholarship he missed quite a lot of football because of injury. John was however, in fine form for the Spurs Under 18 side towards the end of the 2019/20. Putting in really good performances against the likes of Swansea City and also Southampton, in the final game of that season.

The midfielder was a regular starter and an important player for the Spurs Under 18 side during the first half of the following 2020/21 season, as they started the season well. John made his competitive debut for the Spurs Under 23 side in a 5-1 Premier League 2 win in the January of 2021, and since that match he would spend the second half of the 2020/21 season with the Spurs Under 23 side. During that same season, Nile John made his competitive first team debut for Spurs as a substitute in a UEFA Europa League match against Wolfsberger AC. After spending much of the 2021/22 pre-season with the Spurs first team, Nile started Spurs’ first leg UEFA Europa Conference League play-off match against Paços Ferreira. He subsequently started the season with Wayne Burnett’s Spurs Under 23 side, and he has done really well for them, adding a good number of goals to his game. The first year professional has scored seven goals and provided four assists from 17 appearances for Wayne Burnett’s side, so far this season.

 Nile hasn’t made an appearance for Charlton Athletic’s first team (they only have one remaining fixture this season), apart from making some appearances for their Under 23 side. A midfield player who has almost always started matches as a CAM for Spurs’ Under 23 side this season, Nile John is a midfield player with outstanding ability on the ball. He is more than capable of gliding past players with the ball, with great skill. In addition he has good pace, and likes to go on skilful surging forward runs with the ball from midfield. John’s short passing is very good, and he is a player who can ride challenges well. This season in particular the 19 year old midfielder has shown that he is a clinical goalscorer, especially when receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area. He has scored some really good goals this season, including two wonderful goals from distance in games against Leeds United and Manchester City. He is able to strike a ball really well, but it is his ability to be very unpredictable with the ball and also his ability to be very capable of producing incredible pieces of skill, to get past players, which is what in my opinion makes him such a promising player.

Nile has really impressed when starting matches as a CAM for Spurs’ Under 23 side this season, and his stats have also been impressive for goals and assists. An incredibly skilful and talented player, it will be interesting to see whether Nile John goes out on loan again next season.

Remembering former Spurs A team player Alan Reed:

Posted on by superhotspur

(Many thanks must go to Alan’s son Nigel and also Ronnie Hanley, for all of their help in writing this piece.)

Alan Reed was at Spurs on part-time forms from 1956 until 1962. From Ilford, Reed attended Ilford County High, along with future West Ham manager John Lyall. Alan actually supported West Ham as a youngster. However, after being scouted by Spurs, the former London Schools footballer who played with another Spurs Legend, Terry Venables, and was actually managed by Terry’s father, joined them on part-time forms in 1956, following in the footsteps of his older brother John, who was with Spurs as a schoolboy footballer during the 1950s. Alan Reed was described to me a couple of years ago by his former Spurs A team teammate David Sunshine, as being a brilliant wing-half, and somebody who he thought was unlucky not to make it into the first team at Spurs. Reed was a talented midfield player, who was as competitive as he was skillful. He loved to make challenges (Bill Nicholson once asked him why he was always making challenges, to which he responded “I just want to break the opposition play down”) and he was also a talented athlete, who always did well at cross country running as a youngster. Alan used to cycle nine miles there and back from his family’s home in Ilford, to Spurs’ old Cheshunt training ground, to train for Spurs on occasions during midweek, as he was only on amateur forms with the club. 

He held many fond memories of his time there, where Alan looked up to Dave Mackay the Scottish international and tough, yet brilliant midfielder, perhaps somewhat of an inspiration. He remembered fondly a time he was in the physio room and one of the players rushed in, exasperated, suggesting that Mackay was slide tacking in the five-aside, which would have been accepted as normal, except for they were training in the club car park! Then his grace as a technical artist when in the gym at Cheshunt which was a famous wall with specific shapes or lines and the coach described a complex sequence of skills that needed to be handled as the ball returned from the wall, by thigh, or chest, etc and then the ball kicked back at a specific target, only for Mackay to step forward, go through the highly skilled sequence to perfection and trapping the ball at the end, asking “is that what you mean”?! Only Glenn Hoddle and Paul Gascoigne have managed the same sequence in perfect order, to demonstrate the brilliance of the man. Finally, his sheer nerve and grace as an entertainer, where he could flick a shilling up, catch it on his foot, flick it up onto his head, slide it onto his other foot before flicking it up, catching it in his side pocket and walking out of the pub frequented by the players after training. 

Another memorable moment for Alan, in the 1960 pre-season training, was ensuring he kept pace with the seasoned international legend, Danny Blanchflower, for the entire cross country. Intrigued who this young lad was, Danny approached him in the canteen over lunch where Alan was seated with some fellow teammates, and where Danny gave praise to Alan for the run, asking him if he was new to the club, with which, Alan responded, “no, I’ve been here four years, Danny”, and met with high amusement from the other players, which typified Alan’s self-deprecating sense of humour.

Reed would have worked his way up the various ranks at Spurs and into the Spurs A team. He would have started off playing matches for the Spurs Juniors, where on one occasion in a Southern Juniors Floodlit Cup Semi-final tie against Chelsea, Alan played against the great Jimmy Greaves. However, Alan would have also made a good number of appearances for the Spurs Youth team, in the South-East Counties League, before progressing up into the Spurs A team, which was Spurs’ third team. In the Spurs A team, Alan Reed would have played against the likes of March Town and Biggleswade Town in the Eastern Counties League. They had tough first team players, but sides that Alan would have definitely enjoyed playing against. The double winning season of 1960/61 would have been a definite highlight of Alan’s time at Spurs, especially attending the FA Cup winning banquet at The Savoy Hotel. However, he was also a key member of the Spurs A team that won the Eastern Counties League during that season. Alan made 23 appearances for the Spurs A team during that league winning season, scoring two goals.

In 1962, Alan was informed his contract with Spurs was to be terminated at the end of the season, and he arranged to meet Bill Nicholson in his office. After discussing the situation, and even considering the possibility of staying with Tottenham full-time, Alan agreed it was time to move forward, therefore Bill suggested Watford wanted him, although this was too far to travel, and then suggested Romford FC where Bill Nicholson’s old teammate, Harry Clarke was manager. Alan always had the greatest respect for Bill Nicholson, typified by what was described by Harry Clarke that Bill had written a very positive letter in reference to Alan’s introduction. In 1962 the tough midfield player, who had also been doing a welding job when not playing/training with Spurs, signed for Romford.

Alan had a very successful time at Romford, after leaving Spurs. He was part of a a very good Romford side, and at 21 he was an important member of the Romford side that won the Southern League. Also in that Romford side was legendary former Spurs goalkeeper Ted Ditchburn. While playing for Romford, he once got to play against John Charles. After leaving Romford the year after they had won the Southern League, Alan’s wife wanted to go to Australia (Alan’s daughter Vanessa has since followed in her parents footsteps by moving to Australia) because she had family connections in the country. While in Australia Alan continued to play football, and he signed for Slavia Melbourne SC, who he remembered as the best quality team that he had played for in his career, and they played some quality football too. Alan played in the same side at Slavia Melbourne SC as former Czechoslovakia international goalkeeper Viliam Schrojf. Alan had the attitude that no one was better than him, as he came from a tough background, but he was just a very competitive footballer. After returning to England with his wife, Alan signed for Billericay Town in the early 1970s, where he would win the Essex Senior League on two occasions with Billericay.

At Billericay Alan became good friends with former Chelsea player Ronnie Hanley, and the pair of them would leave Billericay at the same time in the mid 1970s, to join Basildon United. Alan would become the player-manager of Basildon, with Ronnie as his coach. In his second season with Basildon, Alan helped Basildon win the Essex Senior League for the first time in their history. Later on and after spending some happy years with Basildon, Alan would resign from his role at the club, with Ronnie taking over as manager of the side. Alan continued to play football in his spare time, until the age of 47 such was his love of the game. He would later settle in the Dunstable area, with his family. Alan’s son Nigel, played youth football for Luton Town and Northampton Town, and Alan would go and watch many of his son’s matches, his daughter followed in the family’s footsteps and emigrated to Australia in 1997. Sadly Alan Reed passed away in 2015, but he always looked after his wife Daphne, who had become ill with Alzheimer’s, right up until he passed away. Like so many of the former Spurs youth and A team players who were at the club during the 1950s and 60s, Alan must have been very proud to have been at Spurs during that wonderful time in their history. He remained a lifelong fan of Spurs in later years, and would attend a number of matches at White Hart Lane.

A piece on Spurs’ third choice goalkeeper and Academy graduate Brandon Austin:

Posted on by superhotspur

It’s been a while since I last wrote a piece on Brandon Austin. The Spurs Academy graduate and goalkeeper, who has gone onto become Spurs’ third choice goalkeeper during this season (2021/22). The Hemel Hempstead born professional footballer who was previously with Chelsea before joining Spurs, signed scholarship forms with the club in the summer of 2015, but would have to wait quite a while until he got regular starts for the Spurs Under 18 side. Austin did make a lot more appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side during the following 2016/17 season, when he was an important member of the Spurs Under 18 side that reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup, during that season. Having made his competitive debut for the Spurs Development side during the 2015/16, Austin would later start a really good number of games for the Spurs Under 23 side as a first year professional with the club, in 2017/18. However, during the following 2018/19 season Brandon Austin started almost every game for the Spurs Under 23 side, and as well as impressing in the UEFA Youth League for the Spurs Under 19 side, he was consistently excellent for Spurs at Academy level during that season.

In the 2019/20 season Brandon did start quite a lot of games for the Spurs Under 23 side, but he was also a substitute goalkeeper for the Spurs first team on a good number of occasions, when Hugo Lloris was out injured. He did well during the second half of the 2019/20 season in the second tier of Danish football, when on his first ever loan, with Viborg FF, who he made 14 competitive appearances for. Austin returned to Spurs for the start of the 2020/21 season, but would join MLS Orlando City SC on loan in the January of 2021. Although he was the second choice goalkeeper for Orlando, the whole experience of being in a different first team set-up in a really good Orlando side, must have been a very enjoyable experience for Brandon, who also did make five appearances for Orlando during his time at the club. Since returning to Spurs from Orlando, Brandon has obviously been training with the Spurs first team on a regular basis, has become Spurs’ third choice goalkeeper during this season (2021/22), made the bench for the first team on occasions, and also very recently he signed a new contract with the club until 2024.

For those who have read my match reports over the years, you’ll have known that I’ve always thought a lot of Brandon as a goalkeeper. He is undoubtedly one of the very best goalkeepers that I have ever seen in Academy football. Such is his excellent ability to not only make the most remarkable of reflex saves, saves which have often left me wondering how he managed to stop the ball from going into the goal, but also how commanding he is inside his penalty area. From crosses and set-pieces I really can’t recall him making an error, especially since stepping up to Under 23’s football. An expert at saving penalty kicks, Austin as a goalkeeper is a real character, and one who is very vocal on the pitch, and not afraid to tell the defenders where they should be, and what they should be doing, if they aren’t doing their jobs properly. I have often seen a lot of leadership qualities in Brandon as a goalkeeper, especially at Academy level. I think that his distribution has also improved since he started playing first team football.

The goalkeeper who excelled at Under 23 level and who was absolutely outstanding during that 2018/19 season, is just a very reliable goalkeeper, and someone who is always alert and on his toes in matches. He is good at rushing out of his goal, and he also uses his body well to close down the angles to make saves. Austin will have become an even better goalkeeper for his experiences out on loan in Denmark and America, but also for his experience with the Spurs first team. Training with the first team and being in the match day squad as a third choice or in some cases second choice goalkeeper, must be great for a goalkeeper of 23. When he was eligible, Brandon was also called-up to the England Under 21 squad, and that in itself shows just how highly rated a goalkeeper Brandon is. Obviously a lot depends on the first team goalkeeping situation next season, and what happens in the summer transfer window. However, hopefully Brandon will get to make his debut for the Spurs first team at some point during next pre-season. Whether he goes out loan again next season or stays with the Spurs first team as the third choice goalkeeper will be interesting to see, but the fact that Brandon recently signed a new contract until 2024, is really encouraging news.

I still strongly believe that Brandon is capable of becoming the first Spurs Academy graduate since Ian Walker to go on and become the first choice goalkeeper for Spurs at some point in the future. However, in the meantime I wish him all the very best of luck for next season, and of course the remainder of this season.

Spurs Under 23’s 1-0 Derby County: (match report)

Posted on by superhotspur

Spurs’ Under 23 side traveled up to Derby on Monday, to face a Derby County side who had already been relegated from the Premier League 2 Division One, going into the match on Monday evening at Pride Park. Spurs won this Premier League 2 match 1-0, and it was a game that I thought that Spurs deserved to win. Thimothée Lo-Tutala started in goal for Spurs, while Kallum Cesay, Marqes Muir, Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Marcel Lavinier started in defence. Captain Jamie Bowden and Matthew Craig started in midfield, and Romaine Mundle and Yago Santiago started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Max Robson led the line for Spurs. Derby got the game underway. After showing some nice skill on the ball, Spurs captain Jamie Bowden made a through-ball pass to the alert Max Robson down the left side of the Derby penalty area. However, Robson’s effort went just over Harry Evans’ goal, in what was a good early chance for Spurs. After going on a surging forward run with the ball from midfield, Bowden then hit a low effort wide from the edge of the Derby box.

Max Robson then came close to getting on the end of a low cross into the Derby box, but goalkeeper Harry Evans managed to get the ball clear in time. Spurs continued to do well during the opening stages of the match. After receiving Jamie Bowden’s pass, Romaine Mundle went forward with the ball, before hitting a low effort wide of the Derby goal. Max Robson was shown a yellow card, before a really promising low cross from Kornell McDonald towards Jack Stretton inside the Spurs box, was cleared just in time by Marqes Muir, who did well on that occasion. Spurs took the lead not long before half-time. Santiago passed the ball to Cesay on the right flank, and he then passed the ball to Nile John in the centre of the Derby box. John’s effort was deflected onto the post, but the ball then came to Jamie Bowden inside the Derby box, and his effort found the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 1-0. The referee sounded his whistle for half-time not long after.

Spurs got the second half underway. Jamie Bowden received an early yellow card, before Nile John hit an effort wide from outside the Derby box. After receiving Romaine Mundle’s pass inside the Derby box, Max Robson managed to find Yago Santiago, but his following effort on the turn was saved by Harry Evans. Muir blocked Osazee Aghatise’s effort inside the Spurs box, and then at the other end of the pitch Kallum Cesay hit an effort wide of the Derby goal, from inside their box. Josh Shonibare hit an effort wide of Lo-Tutala’s goal from the left side of the Spurs box, before Romaine Mundle had a good curling effort tipped behind by Harry Evans. Yago Santiago then had an effort from far out blocked, before Romaine Mundle managed to find Marcel Lavinier with a pass down the left side of the Derby box, but his following effort was blocked by Kornell McDonald. Following a pass from Bowden to Robson, the Spurs centre-forward managed to show some good strength and skill with the ball, to take it to the edge of the Derby box, before having his effort saved by Harry Evans.

Spurs made a double change as Max Robson and Nile John were replaced by J’Neil Bennett and Jamie Donley. Marqes Muir was able to get an important touch on the ball just in time, from a good cross inside the Spurs box, before a lofted pass from Bowden to Donley inside the Derby box, saw Donley have a volleyed effort tipped behind by Harry Evans. Then after some good work with the ball from Romaine Mundle, the Spurs winger had an effort blocked. Bennett then had a deflected effort saved by Harry Evans. Kallum Cesay received a yellow card, just before Thimothée Lo-Tutala was able to gather Tyree Wilson’s pass inside the Spurs box. Dermi Lusala then replaced Yago Santiago, in what was Spurs’ final change of the game. An effort from Marcel Lavinier down the left side of the Derby box was saved well by Harry Evans. A couple of minutes later and after a good forward run from Romaine Mundle, he passed it to J’Neil Bennett down the left side of the Derby box. However, Bennett’s effort went over. The referee sounded his whistle for full-time shortly after. Spurs’ next Premier League 2 fixture is at home to Brighton, next Monday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Player reviews:

  • Thimothée Lo-Tutala: The Spurs goalkeeper didn’t actually have a save to make against Derby. The France Under 19 international did show some good composure on the ball however, and his distribution was good.
  • Kallum Cesay: The right-back was involved in Spurs’ goal after passing the ball to Nile John inside the Derby box. Cesay got up and down the right flank well, before moving to the left flank, after Dermi Lusala was substituted on, late on in the match.
  • Marqes Muir: My man of the match, see below.
  • Malachi Fagan-Walcott: The left sided centre-half for this match read the game well and alongside Marqes Muir, Malachi Fagan-Walcott did well at defending.
  • Marcel Lavinier: Starting the match as a left-back, Marcel Lavinier often found himself in quite a lot of space out on the left flank. Lavinier got forward well throughout the match, and he came close to scoring during the second half.
  • Jamie Bowden: The Spurs captain made some good forward passes from midfield and he also showed good skill, as he carried the ball forward well himself, on occasions.
  • Matthew Craig: The midfielder worked hard off the ball and was also tidy with it.
  • Romaine Mundle: The creative winger had a very good game out on the right flank. Mundle went on some excellent and skilful forward runs with the ball, and he was creative with it. During the second half the winger had a very good game.
  • Nile John: Starting the match as a CAM, Nile John was in my opinion at his best against Derby during the first half of the match. John showed some fine skill on the ball.
  • Yago Santiago: The winger who started the match out on the left flank, did well at what he did with the ball, and he used it well.
  • Max Robson: Leading the line well again and impressing with his link-up play and movement off the ball, Max Robson was unlucky not to score a goal from his good early chance. However, Robson worked so well once again off the ball, and he created some good space for himself, and made some good runs in behind the Derby defence.
  • J’Neil Bennett: The second half substitute was very direct with the ball.
  • Jamie Donley: The second half substitute had a good effort saved by the Derby goalkeeper, not long after being introduced to the game.
  • Dermi Lusala: The late substitute went to right-back, as Kallum Cesay moved to left-back, following his substitution on.

My man of the match: Marqes Muir. The right sided centre-half was decisive in his defending against Derby County, and he kept good positioning throughout the match. Getting stronger in his defending as the match went on, Muir defended well against Derby County centre-forward Jack Stretton, and there were a couple of important moments in the game when Marqes stepped up and made some good defensive interventions. He was also good on the ball.

Spurs Under 23’s versus Derby County: (match preview)

Posted on by superhotspur

Spurs’ Under 23 side return to Premier League 2 action this Monday evening (the game starts at 19:00pm) when they face already relegated Derby County, at Pride Park. Derby haven’t won a Premier League 2 match since the December of last year, when they won 3-1 against Chelsea, at home. Spurs won 3-1 at home to Derby County, in the reverse fixture last year. And on that day Derby had a number of players with first team experience, who started that match. Wayne Burnett’s Spurs side are currently in seventh place in the league, and will be hoping to do well in their final three matches of the season. A lot of the Derby players have stepped-up to play for their first team this season, and although they have already been relegated from Division One of the Premier League 2, this will still be a difficult game for Spurs, in front of a crowd at Pride Park. Nile John, who is currently on loan at Charlton Athletic, has not been making the Charlton squad recently (he has yet to feature for them) so it will be interesting to see if he does start for Spurs’ Under 23 side tomorrow, especially as the season is almost over. I remember Will Miller and Luke Amos starting matches for Spurs’ Under 23 side even though they were still on loan with other clubs.

I will be travelling to the match tomorrow, and I would like to wish the Spurs side all the very best of luck for the game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Oluwayemi, Paskotši, Fagan-Walcott, Omole, Lavinier, Bowden (c), Matthew Craig, Mundle, John, Bennett, Robson.

Subs from: Lo-Tutala, Lusala, Cesay, Santiago, Williams.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 3-1.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-1.

My one to watch: Jack Stretton. The Derby County forward has scored scored an impressive total of eight Premier League 2 goals from ten appearances this season.

Spurs Under 18’s 2-1 West Bromwich Albion: (match report)

Posted on by superhotspur

Spurs’ Under 18 side welcomed West Bromwich Albion to Hotspur Way for a Premier League South match, on Saturday afternoon. Stuart Lewis’ Spurs side won the match 2-1, after an impressive second half performance saw them turn the game around, after West Brom had taken the lead in the first half. Spurs lined-up with Aaron Maguire in goal, while a back four of Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Alfie Dorrington, Charlie Sayers and Jahziah Linton started in front of him. George Abbott and Jez Davies started in midfield, while Maxwell McKnight and Thomas Bloxham started out on the flanks, either side of Spurs captain Jamie Donley. Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. West Brom got the game underway. Jaden Williams had an early effort blocked inside the West Brom box, before Alfie Dorrington blocked Akeel Higgins’ effort, with the ball then going to Jesse Wangusi, whose effort from the edge of the Spurs box, found the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 0-1. Reyes Cleary then hit an effort over from the left flank, before hitting another effort wide from almost the same place, a couple of minutes later. 

Thomas Bloxham was shown a yellow card, and then a couple of minutes later Charlie Sayers made a good defensive intervention from Jesse Wangusi’s cross into the Spurs box. Layton Love headed over a corner-kick from Cleary, as West Brom continued to start the game well. Maguire did well to save Reyes Cleary’s low effort on goal, before a pass from Jez Davies to Maxwell McKnight on the right flank saw McKnight take the ball into the West Brom box, before having a low effort saved by the goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead. George Abbott then had an effort blocked on the left side of the West Brom penalty area, before Jaden Williams had a cross from the left headed towards goal by Maxwell McKnight, whose effort was saved by Hollingshead. The referee sounded his whistle for half-time a couple of minutes later. Spurs got the second half underway. Jaden Williams had an early low effort from the edge of the West Brom box, tipped behind by Hollingshead. Then from Thomas Bloxham’s resulting corner-kick, the ball came to George Abbott, whose deflected effort was eventually gathered by the West Brom goalkeeper.

After receiving Reyes Cleary’s pass on the right side of the Spurs box, Jesse Wangusi had an effort well saved by Maguire. At the other end of the pitch Thomas Bloxham had an effort blocked inside the West Brom box, before a pass from Abbott to Williams inside the West Brom box, resulted in the centre-forward having an effort blocked. The impressive Reyes Cleary hit an effort into the side-netting of Aaron Maguire’s goal, from the left side of the Spurs box. After receiving Jaden Williams’ pass just inside the West Brom box, Jamie Donley hit a low effort wide of the goal. After receiving the ball and going inside onto his right foot with it, Thomas Bloxham hit an effort over Hollingshead’s goal. Reyes Cleary than hit an effort just over Maguire’s goal, from inside the Spurs box. From a West Brom corner-kick Jahziah Linton blocked Layton Love’s volley. Then at the other end of the pitch, Jaden Williams had a back-heeled effort saved by Hollingshead.

After Jesse Wangusi’s through-ball pass to Reyes Cleary allowed the West Brom forward to go into the Spurs box, his effort went over the goal. Spurs made a double substitution, as Rio Kyerematen and Billy Heaps replaced Maxwell McKnight and Thomas Bloxham respectively. After Reyes Cleary had an effort inside the Spurs box deflect off of Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Aaron Maguire was able to gather the ball. Dorrington then blocked yet another effort from Reyes Cleary, before Spurs managed to get an equaliser. After receiving Brandon Bryan-Waugh’s pass on the right flank, Rio Kyerematen’s low cross into the West Brom box was tapped home by the sliding George Abbott, at the near post, 1-1. Riley Owen replaced Jez Davies, before a low cross from the left of the West Brom box from Donley to Williams, saw the forward have his effort from close range somehow saved by Ronnie Hollingshead, before he then saved an effort from Donley. A couple of minutes later Spurs took the lead for the first time in the match. A cross from the right flank from Brandon Bryan-Waugh into the West Brom box, managed to find Riley Owen in some space. Owen headed the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, 2-1. 

Billy Heaps hit a powerful effort on goal from the edge of the West Brom box, which was tipped onto the bar by Hollingshead. Very late on in the game Jamie Donley blocked Layton Love’s effort well on the edge of the Spurs box, before the referee sounded his whistle for full-time. Spurs’ next Premier League South match is away to Norwich City, next Saturday.

Player reviews:

  • Aaron Maguire: The Spurs goalkeeper made some smart saves today at important times in the match. Maguire also did well with his distribution.
  • Brandon Bryan-Waugh: The right-back had to defend against the talented and skilful Reyes Cleary, on the left flank. I thought that Bryan-Waugh did well in how he defended against Cleary, and he also set-up Riley Owen’s winning goal. 
  • Alfie Dorrington: The right sided centre-half who signed his first professional contract with the club in midweek, did well at bringing the ball out of defence against West Brom. Dorrington had quite a lot of defending to do.
  • Charlie Sayers: Making some important defensive interventions and keeping good positioning throughout the match, Charlie Sayers and also Alfie Dorrington had a quite a lot of defending to do against West Brom on Saturday.
  • Jahziah Linton: The left-back got up and down the left flank well against West Brom.
  • George Abbott: My man of the match, see below.
  • Jez Davies: Once again the central-midfielder showed great composure on the ball, and he brought it forward well during his time on the pitch.
  • Maxwell McKnight: Starting the match out on the right flank, first year scholar Maxwell McKnight went on some good runs during the first half, and he showed some great pace, and also delivered some good crosses into the West Brom box. 
  • Jamie Donley: The Spurs captain was always looking to receive the ball and looking to make that decisive forward pass.
  • Thomas Bloxham: The left winger once again showed good skill on the ball, and when he received it out on the left flank, he was very direct with the ball.
  • Jaden Williams: The centre-forward led the line well today, and although he didn’t score a goal, he did a lot of good work in the forward areas, and showed some really good skill on the ball, on occasions.
  • Rio Kyerematen: The second half substitute set-up George Abbott’s equalising goal, and he made a good impression on the game during his time on the pitch.
  • Billy Heaps: The second half substitute came very close to scoring from a powerful effort which was really well tipped onto the crossbar by the West Brom goalkeeper.
  • Riley Owen: The winger made a good impression on the game after being introduced to the match late on. Apart from taking his headed goal well, Owen also went on a really good long and skilful run with the ball, which started inside the Spurs half.

My man of the match: George Abbott. This was a very good all-round performance from the midfielder and first year scholar. Abbott covered so much ground in midfield, showed good skill and pace with the ball, and also scored Spurs’ equalising goal. The Islington born footballer impressed greatly with his defensive work today, but he also got forward well throughout the match.

Spurs Under 18’s versus West Bromwich Albion: (match preview)

Posted on by superhotspur

Spurs’ Under 18 side face West Brom at Hotspur Way on Saturday (the game starts at 12:00pm), in a Premier League South fixture. Stuart Lewis’ side were unlucky to lose 3-2 to Chelsea in their most recent league game, but that was in my opinion a good performance from Spurs. Spurs won 6-1 against West Brom in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, earlier on this season. However, Spurs lost 4-3 to West Brom in the reverse league fixture last October, a game well remembered for a spectacular goal that was scored by Jamie Donley. West Brom are in 11th place in the Premier League South, two places and four points behind Spurs. They are a good team with talented players, and I was impressed by their top scorer this season (Reyes Cleary) in the FA Youth Cup game at Hotspur Way earlier this season. This will be another good game of football, but it is one that Spurs will be hoping to win, as they will look to finish the season well. I would like to wish the Spurs side all the very best of luck for the game.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Hayton, Bryan-Waugh, Dorrington, Sayers (c), Hackett, Abbott, Davies, McKnight, Kyerematen, Heaps, Williams.

Subs from: Maguire, Andiyapan, Hall, Bloxham, Owen.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 6-1.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Reyes Cleary. The West Brom forward impressed with his movement off the ball in the FA Youth Cup tie against Spurs earlier this year. Cleary has scored 16 goals and provided two assists from 11 Premier League South appearances this season. He is also a regular for the West Brom Under 23 side.

Where are they now? The Spurs Under 18 side who played in the first ever game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

Posted on by superhotspur

Back in the March of 2019 a Spurs Under 18 side became the first ever Spurs side to walk out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as they played a Premier League South match against Southampton. That was over three years ago that that match was played, on a nice spring day in north London. For many of those Spurs players who played in that game that day, it would have been at that point in their footballing careers, their best ever footballing experience. Played in front of over 28,000 spectators, Spurs won the match 3-1. Spurs’ goals were scored by J’Neil Bennett, Harvey White and Dilan Markanday. A number of regular starters from the excellent Spurs Under 18 side that Spurs had that season, were unavailable for that game. John McDermott and Ryan Mason’s side were missing Paris Maghoma, Luis Binks and Troy Parrott, to name just some of the players who were either away on international duty or injured for that match. It was a fairly routine win for Spurs against Southampton (they were unbeaten in the league that season, going into the Southampton game) and they really deserved to win the game, on what was a historic day in the history of Spurs. That Spurs Under 18 side were outstanding, and it was great to see them play the first ever match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

The squad for the match against Southampton:

Joshua Oluwayemi: The goalkeeper who started the match against Southampton, was the first choice goalkeeper for the Spurs Under 18 side during the 2018/19 season, and he hardly missed a match. Oluwayemi was excellent throughout the 2018/19 season, and he also saved a really good number of penalty kicks during the season. The goalkeeper who has since gone on to become a regular for the Spurs Under 18 side, be called-up to represent the senior Nigeria national team, and also play some matches on loan for non-League side Maidenhead United, continues to do well at Spurs, over three years after that Southampton match. The now 21 year old has made 18 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side this season. He also made the bench for the Spurs first team in pre-season, in a friendly match with Colchester United. He is a goalkeeper who I am sure will go on to have a very good career in the game.

Jubril Okedina: Starting the Premier League South match with Southampton at right-back, the versatile centre-half would often start matches at right-back during the 2018/19 season, for the Spurs Under 18 side. Okedina had a good game for the Spurs Under 18 side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Southampton, and he really made that right-back spot his own in the side for the second half of the 2018/19 season. A great reader of the game who has good ability on the ball, Jubril would later become an important player for the Spurs Under 23 side, in the following seasons, doing well at both centre-half and right-back. He would also become the captain of the Spurs Under 23 side for the first half of the 2020/21 season, before joining then League Two side Cambridge United for the remainder of that season. After helping Cambridge United win promotion to League One, Okedina signed for them on a permanent basis last summer, and overall he has made over 50 appearances for them, and has become an important player for the side.

Malachi Fagan-Walcott: Centre-half Malachi Fagan-Walcott started the first ever match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, alongside Brooklyn Lyons-Foster in central-defence. Fagan-Walcott started the match on the right side of central-defence, and I remember the then first year scholar having a solid game against Southampton. The now 20 year old, would often represent the Spurs Under 23 side as well as the Spurs Under 18 side during the following season, a season in which he also made his first team debut as a substitute, in a UEFA Champions League game against RB Leipzig. Apart from spending a short time on loan with Scottish side Dundee FC (he had to return to Spurs early on in the loan because of injury), Fagan-Walcott has been a regular starter for the Spurs Under 23 side in the last couple of seasons. He has made 13 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 23 side so far this season, and it will be interesting to see whether he goes out on another loan move during the 2022/23 season. 

Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Still at Spurs, and doing really well in his new defensive-midfield role for the Spurs Under 23 side, up until going off injured in a Premier League 2 match with Blackburn Rovers in January of this year. The now 21 year old player who started the first ever game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the left side of central-defence, is a player with excellent ability on the ball, but someone who also reads the game really well. Lyons-Foster was a second year scholar during that Southampton game, and the versatile player who only recently signed a new contract with Spurs, has been a mainstay of the Spurs Under 23 side during the 2019/20, 2020/21 and also much of this season. Lyons-Foster has made 17 appearances for the Spurs Under 23 side this season, and he is a player who I think has real potential.

Dennis Cirkin: A highly skilful left-back who really likes to get forward with the ball and take players on for skill down the left flank. Dennis Cirkin was another member of the Spurs Under 18 side of 2018/19, who was in outstanding form throughout that season. Cirkin was a mainstay of the side in 2018/19, and he was so influential from his left-back role, as he showed in that Southampton game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Dennis would later move up to the Spurs Under 23 side, and he even featured for the Spurs first team in the pre-season of 2020, but he would leave Spurs to join League One side Sunderland last summer. During his time at Sunderland so far, Dennis Cirkin has so far made 38 competitive first team appearances for them, and the now 20 year old seems to have made real strides this season.

Oliver Skipp: The match against Southampton in the March of 2019, was actually Oliver Skipp’s only appearance for the Spurs Under 18 side during the 2018/19 season, as although he was still only a second year scholar, Skipp was mostly training with the first team during the 2018/19 season. A player who doesn’t need much introducing, Oliver is a hardworking, highly skilled and tenacious midfielder. The footballer who only yesterday signed a new long term contract with Spurs, has unfortunately been out injured for a while now. However, the 21 year old who has so far made 51 competitive first team appearances for Spurs, was always excellent at Academy level for the club, as he showed in that Southampton game, in his defensive-midfield role. The player who only last season helped Norwich City (on loan) to win the Championship, is a player who I really believe is capable of becoming a Spurs legend.

Harvey White: A midfielder and set-piece specialist, with the ability to make a decisive pass. Harvey White started the Southampton match just ahead of Oliver Skipp in central-midfield. Harvey scored a first half penalty kick in that match, and throughout the 2018/19 season, the midfielder from County Kent provided a great number of assists from midfield, and he also scored a good number of goals as well. The now 20 year old who during the second half of this season has often been on the bench for the Spurs first team, has so far made two competitive first team appearances for the Spurs first team. A regular for the Spurs Under 23 side over the last couple of seasons, Harvey White also spent the second half of last season (2020/21) on loan with League One side Portsmouth. 

Dilan Markanday: His skilful runs, excellent close ball control and ability to ride challenges, made Barnet born winger Dilan Markanday one of the most influential players in the Premier League South during the 2018/19 season. The player who I actually named man of the match in the game against Southampton in my match report, started that match on the right flank, as a winger. Markanday later went on to become a regular starter for the Spurs Under 23 side in the seasons that followed 2018/19, and the very skilful player was in exceptional form for the Spurs Under 23 side during the first half of this season, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists, as well as making his first team debut for the Spurs first team. However, Markanday left Spurs to join Blackburn Rovers in the January of this year, but very unfortunately picked up a long term injury in his debut for the Championship club, in a league game with Hull City. Markanday is an excellent player with real potential, and I am sure that he will return stronger than ever from his injury.

Armando Shashoua: The inspirational captain (he was the first ever captain to lead a Spurs team out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) of the Spurs Under 18 side during the 2018/19 season, midfielder Armando Shashoua provided a great number of assists from his usual CAM role, as well as scoring a good number of goals. The younger brother of former Spurs player Samuel Shashoua, Armando’s all-round ability and excellent work off the ball, made him such an important player for the Spurs Under 18 side in 2018/19. Armando led by example throughout that season, and he was a player who I’d never seen have a bad game for Spurs at any levels. He would later play for the Spurs Under 23 side during the first half of the following 2019/20 season, before joining Spanish third tier side Atlético Baleares for the second half of that season. Armando left Spurs to join Atlético Baleares on a permanent transfer for the start of the 2020/21 season, and although he is currently out injured, Armando has established himself as a very important player for Atlético, since joining them, as they look to win promotion to the second tier of Spanish football.

J’Neil Bennett: The first ever scorer of goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, unpredictable and skilful winger J’Neil Bennett opened the scoring with a fine goal, and he had a good game against Southampton on that day. Bennett started the match out on the left wing and he was often a starter for the Spurs Under 18 side during that 2018/19 season, as well as playing some matches for the Spurs Under 23 side during the same season. The 20 year old, who at the time of the 2018/19 season was a first year scholar, made a number of appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side during the following season, and has since gone on to become a regular for the Spurs Under 23 side. Bennett joined League One side Crewe Alexandra for the first half of the 2021/22 season, but since returned to Spurs because of injury. The player who made his competitive first team debut for Spurs earlier on in the season, has so far scored two goals for the Spurs Under 23 side this season.

Rayan Clarke: Although Rayan Clarke was a winger during his time at Spurs, he actually led the line for the Spurs Under 18 side in that game against Southampton, in the absence of a centre-forward. Clarke was having a good season for the Spurs Under 18 side during the 2018/19 season. The skilful and direct winger who would score a good number of goals for the side in 2018/19, had been at Spurs for a long time up until being released at the end of the following 2019/20 season, when he was with the Spurs Under 23 side. Clarke since went on trial with Sunderland, where he scored a goal for their Under 23 side from one Premier League 2 appearance during the 2020/21 season. However, since leaving Spurs in the summer of 2020, Rayan has unfortunately been without a club.

Kacper Kurylowicz: The substitute goalkeeper for the Southampton match, Kacper Kurylowicz was a first year scholar with the club during the 2018/19 season. The talented and brave goalkeeper only made a couple of appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side during his first season with the club, but he would make a good number of appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side during the following 2020/21 season. Currently on loan from Spurs with non-League side Potters Bar Town, the 20 year old is also with the Spurs Under 23 side.

Maxwell Statham: A solid, brave and reliable all-round defender, Maxwell Statham came on in the 79th minute of the Premier League South match with Southampton. The son of former Spurs player Brian Statham, Maxwell became an important member of the Spurs Under 18 side that came so close to winning the 2018/19 Premier League South. Maxwell was with the Spurs Under 23 side for the following 2019/20 season, before being released by the club at the end of that season. He has since represented Watford at Under 23 level, Hornchurch and now National League South side Welling United, where he is a very important player, and one who has done really well for them during this season, as they look to avoid relegation from that league.

Chay Cooper: A very clever winger with an eye for goal, former Spurs player Chay Cooper came on as a 71st minute substitute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in the game against Southampton. Cooper would establish himself as an important member of the Spurs Under 18 side during the following 2019/20 season, when he scored a number of goals and provided a good amount of assists. Following his release from Spurs at the end of the 2020/21 season, Chay signed for League Two side Colchester United, and he has been a mainstay of their Under 23 side this season, impressively scoring ten goals for them, as well as making four competitive appearances for the Colchester first team.

Elliot Thorpe: A skilful and direct midfield player, Wales Under 21 international Elliot Thorpe is a player who I’m a big fan of. He plays the game with a smile on his face, but he is a determined midfield player who loves to go on surging forward runs with the ball from deep. Thorpe was an unused substitute for John McDermott and Ryan Mason’s side in the game against Southampton. Elliot would make a good number of appearances for the Spurs Under 23 side over the next two seasons (he even scored a brace in an Under 23 game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), before signing for Luton Town earlier on this season. The 21 year old has so far made one competitive appearance for the Championship side (in the FA Cup), and he even provided an assist in that game.

Maurizio Pochettino: A hardworking and direct winger, Maurizio Pochettino made a good amount of appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side during his two seasons as a scholar at the club. The son of former Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino, Maurizio came on as a 79th minute substitute to replace J’Neil Bennett in the game against Southampton. After spending a season and a half with the Spurs Under 23 side, Pochettino signed for Watford in the January of 2021. He has since made one competitive appearance for their first team, and this season he has scored three goals for Watford’s Under 23 side.