I am an avid Spurs supporter! I have been all my life, I go to many home games and watch all away games on TV I also have a great interest in the academy set up, and shall report on every aspect of this wonderful club. COYS
Having won their last three Premier League 2 games, Wayne Burnett’s Spurs under 23 side will go into Friday’s (the game starts at 12pm) north London derby against Arsenal in great confidence, at Hotspur Way. Spurs’ last three league wins have seen them beat Liverpool, Brighton and West Ham respectively, while Arsenal have impressively won their last five Premier League 2 matches, scoring 17 goals in the process. Steve Bould’s Arsenal side sit in sixth place in the league after picking up 17 points from 12 games, and are a very talented side, with players who could potentially really test us in today’s behind closed doors fixture. One of those players is centre-forward Folarin Balogun who has scored six league goals and registered three assists so far this season, but there are also many other really exciting players in this Arsenal side. Forward Nikolaj Moller has scored five league goals so far this season, while midfielder Ben Cottrell has scored three league goals so far this season. Former Spurs Academy player Jonathan Dinzeyi is currently playing for Arsenal’s under 23 side after leaving Spurs after his contract came to an end last summer, so it will be interesting to see if he starts in central defence against us today. Arsenal are a side at this level who like to have the ball and love to go forward with it, and they did this against us in the reverse fixture at their London Colney training ground earlier in the season, although we ended up winning that game 1-0, thanks to a goal from Rodel Richards. I’m anticipating a very interesting and end to end game today, although I do believe that Spurs do have the quality to do the double over Arsenal in the league this season. Since our Premier League 2 win over West Ham last Friday, Spurs have loaned out under 23 players Brandon Austin and Malachi Fagan-Walcott, who have joined Orlando City and Dundee FC respectively. I would like to wish current league leaders Spurs all the very best of luck for today’s game against Arsenal.
My one to watch: Clinical 19 year old Arsenal centre-forward Folarin Balogun, who has scored four goals from his last three Premier League 2 appearances. Balogun’s movement off the ball and excellent finishing ability means that the Spurs defence will have to be alert to stop him from scoring today.
On Thursday it was announced that Spurs’ promising central defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott (18) had joined Scottish Championship (second division) side Dundee FC on loan until the end of the 2020/21 season. Fagan-Walcott had in fact missed the majority of the season so far with an injury which he picked up last June, but the England youth international did return to play for our under 23 side on two occasions recently (he started one of those games). Edmonton born but brought up in Waltham Abbey, the tall central defender who is good on the ball and at passing, as well as at anticipating situations, divided his time playing for the under 18’s, 23’s and under 19 side last season, after returning to action slightly later than most of the other players, because of an injury that he picked up towards the end of the previous 2019/20 season. A quick defender who made his competitive senior debut for Spurs’ first team as a substitute in a UEFA Champions League round of 16 game against RB Leipzig last March, Malachi has been a very consistent performer at Academy level for the club, since joining them full-time in the summer of 2018. The former Norsemen F.C. player primarily plays as a right sided centre-half, although he can also play at right-back, which is where he played against West Ham United under 23’s last week, in his last full competitive 90 minutes of football since last March. Dominant in the air, good and skilful with the ball at his feet, and excellent at making last ditch blocks and challenges, Fagan-Walcott is also a good communicator on the pitch, and he has consistently demonstrated good leadership qualities over the last couple of seasons.
Dundee FC are currently playing in the Scottish Championship, and they currently sit in third place in that league, ten points behind league leaders Hearts. A club that will obviously be hoping to win promotion back to the Scottish Premiership, Dundee as it stands would qualify for the end of season play-offs (quarter-finals). However, still with a good amount of games remaining, the Scottish club could well finish the season higher up the table than they currently are. Dundee seem to play with a back four, and Malachi will likely be competing with centre-halves Jordan McGhee, Lee Ashcroft, Liam Fontaine, Jordon Forster and Sam Fisher for a place in the side at central defence. Although the defender who turns 19 in March, can also play at right-back, and in the current Dundee squad there are two right backs – Christie Elliott and Cammy Kerr. Wherever he plays in that back four, the most important thing is that Malachi Fagan-Walcott will hopefully be getting regular game time for Dundee, although he might not get starts immediately, as he has not long come back from quite a bad injury. However, the experience of being a part of a first team in a competitive senior football environment will be so invaluable for the Spurs youngster, as he continues to learn and develop in the game. Fagan-Walcott’s new club Dundee are playing Raith Rovers away in the Scottish Championship on Saturday, so it will be interesting to see if the Spurs player goes straight into the match day squad for that game. I look forward to following Malachi’s progress at Dundee, and also hopefully watching some of his games as well. I would like to wish Malachi all the very best of luck on loan at Dundee during the remainder of their season.
It was a good and solid all round performance from 20 year old Spurs loanee TJ Eyoma for Lincoln City on Tuesday night, as they beat Portsmouth (Harvey White was an unused substitute) 1-0 at Fratton Park in a League One game. Eyoma operated at right-back as Lincoln lined up in a back four, and he was arguably one of their most impressive players during the game. Staying deep when he needed to, but also making intelligent forward runs on occasions as well, the England youth international completed the whole of the match. Early on in the game the Londoner did quite well to stop Republic of Ireland international and Portsmouth winger Ronan Curtis from getting past him with the ball, down Eyoma’s right hand side, and while it was nothing too important, it was good that Eyoma did stop Curtis from travelling forward with the ball. After Portsmouth right-back Callum Johnson received the ball down the right flank the 24 year old delivered the ball into the Lincoln penalty area, towards Curtis at the back post. However, Eyoma watched Curtis carefully and he got to the ball in time to make a good and important headed clearance. A couple of minutes later the Spurs man headed away a Ronan Curtis free kick from inside the box, as the game started at a good pace. The alert TJ Eyoma then did well to cut out Andy Cannon’s attempted pass to John Marquis inside the Lincoln box (Lincoln were the better team early on in the game). Eyoma was getting up and down the right flank well during the first half, and his decision making in general was good.
Portsmouth left-back Lee Brown attempted to get past Eyoma down his flank, but the Lincoln defender did really well to hold off the Portsmouth player, get on the ball and drive forward with it before passing it to Jorge Grant who was fouled by Jack Watmough, who was then shown a red card. After receiving Anthony Scully’s pass out on the right flank, Eyoma was in an advanced position and he sent in a low whipped cross into the Portsmouth box, which went across the face of the goal (the final real piece of action from the first half, that TJ was involved in). Having kept Ronan Curtis quiet during the first half, Eyoma’s first involvement in the game in the second half came as a result of him getting in an advanced position. Jorge Grant tried to slip the ball into the path of Eyoma after he had made an intelligent run down the right hand side of the Portsmouth box, but a defender managed to intercept the ball in time. Soon afterwards Eyoma cleared a free kick from Ronan Curtis, as the Portsmouth players looked for a handball, but the referee was having none of it. Operating almost as a winger/wingback during the second half as Lincoln went in search of a winner, TJ’s constant forward runs down the right flank were rewarded in the 79th minute of the game. After receiving Jorge Grant’s pass down the right hand side of the Portsmouth box, Eyoma cleverly got past Curtis before putting the ball agonisingly across the face of the goal.
Eyoma’s cross was latched onto inside the Portsmouth box by Conor McGrandles, who passed the ball to Morgan Rogers who finished from close range. Eyoma did drop deeper after Lincoln had scored the opener, as he looked to help them hold onto their lead during the closing stages of the game. The Spurs man did concede a free kick in quite a promising position for Portsmouth, not long after the game started again. However, the resulting effort from Ronan Curtis went high and wide, as Lincoln held on to claim a precious three points, in what was another good and influential performance from Eyoma.
Nathan Oduwa was a very exciting winger during his days at Spurs as an Academy player. Born and raised in central London, Oduwa’s quick feet, pace and outrageous pieces of skill wowed many watchers of the Spurs under 18, 21 and 23’s side, during his time at the club as a full time player, from 2012 to 2017. Oduwa was at Spurs for quite a while before signing scholarship forms with the club in the summer of 2012, and he did spend a period of time (around six months) away from the club at West Bromwich Albion on loan, during the 2012/13 season. Making his competitive under 18 debut for Spurs during the 2011/12 season (Oduwa made a further three appearances in that particular campaign) during the following season Nathan Oduwa scored three goals from his first three under 18 league appearances. He made an additional three league appearances for the club at that level that season, as well as playing for Spurs in the NextGen Series, and also representing England at under 17 level. In fact the talented winger who was comfortable at operating on either flank, as a CAM or even as a centre forward, would play for England all the way up until under 20 level. A player with real technique and flair, Oduwa would later represent Nigeria at under 23 level, and during his second season of scholarship after he had returned to Spurs (2013/14), Oduwa made a really good impact on the under 18 side as they finished top of the Under 18 Premier League South that season. He scored 11 goals from 26 competitive under 18 appearances (league and cup) as well as registering a good number of assists at that level. The Spurs under 18 side that finished top of the Premier League South that season were a very talented team, and going forward they were quite literally unstoppable during that season, and Oduwa was a part of that potent forward line. Oduwa also made an appearance for Spurs’ first team against a Ledley King XI, in Ledley King’s testimonial at White Hart Lane in the May of 2014, scoring a really cool chip, after initially faking his effort from inside the box.
The 2014/15 season saw Nathan step up to play for our under 21 side on a permanent basis, as he was now a first year professional. He showed the skill, directness in his play and ability to go past players, as well as working hard for the team during his first season with the development squad. Oduwa registered some assists and scored four league goals from 11 under 21 appearances, and he notably scored an outstanding goal against Fulham’s under 21 side, where he came inside from the left flank onto his right, before powerfully directing the ball with real dip and swerve into the top right hand corner of the goal, from the edge of the Fulham box. He went out on his first senior loan halfway through that season, going out on loan to then League Two side Luton Town, who he ended up making 11 appearances for. At the beginning of the following 2015/16 season Nathan went out on a season long loan, along with Spurs teammate Dominic Ball, to Scottish side Rangers, who were then playing in the Scottish Championship, after playing one game for our under 21 side at the start of the season. Oduwa started the season really strongly at his loan club Rangers and he became popular with the fans at the Glasgow based club, and he showed the great skill (including a wonderful rainbow flick against Alloa Athletic) and ability that he had on the ball during those opening stages of the season. During his time in Glasgow, Oduwa made 19 appearances for Rangers, scoring one goal and registering five assists. However, his season long came to an early end, and he returned to Spurs in January 2016. Soon after returning to north London he joined then League One side Colchester United on loan for a month.
For Colchester United Nathan made only two appearances appearances before retuning to play for Spurs for the rest of the season. The start of the 2016/17 season saw the predominantly left sided winger join League One side Peterborough United on loan, after making three Premier League 2 appearances for our under 23 side at the start of the season. He made nine appearances for Peterborough before returning to Spurs in the January of 2017. Upon his return to Spurs the Londoner played four times for our under 23 side in the league, and I remember reporting on those four games well, and Oduwa was really really good. He put in some very strong performances against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and finally Liverpool at Anfield in the February of 2017. From those four appearances the confident winger was at times extremely difficult to defend against, and he was directly involved in a good number of goals from those four appearances, and I did hope that he might have got a chance in the first team squad, possibly at the start of the next season in pre-season. Dominant and strong down the flanks, the tall and quick winger showed on many occasions at youth level for Spurs his ability to do almost Yannick Bolasie-esque and Adel Taarabt-esque types of skill, and his trickery and ability to seemingly effortlessly weave his way around opposition defenders, was at times unreal. He could also cross the ball well, had a good eye for goal, and when playing the CAM role Oduwa’s linkup play and passing was good, and he showed this for England at youth level when playing that role. He could also hold the ball up well and bring others into the game, when playing as a centre forward. However, at youth level, and out on loan and even still now, Nathan is such an unpredictable player, who with his pace and trickery could give any defender a really difficult game on his day. He showed this on occasions even when playing his last game for Spurs’ under 23 side, when coming up against a young Trent Alexander-Arnold on the left flank at Anfield.
Nathan left Spurs on a permanent basis shortly after that Liverpool game, when he went to join Slovenian PrvaLiga side NK Olimpia Ljubljana on a three year deal in mid February of 2017. Oduwa would go on to make 25 appearances in total for the Slovenian club, scoring two goals and registering some assists for NK Olimpia Ljubljana, he played a part in helping them to finish as runners up in the Slovenian Cup in the 2016/17 season, and also help them to win the Slovenian PrvaLiga during the following 2017/18 season. Oduwa left NK Olimpia Ljubljana in the summer of 2018, and he then joined Danish Superligaen side Vejle Boldklub in September 2018, but after making just three competitive appearances for them, he left in the December of that year. Oduwa then signed for Israeli Premier League side Hapoel Hadera at the start of 2019, and during his time at Hapoel Hadera he made 16 competitive first team appearances, scoring one goal. However, most recently the former Spurs man played for well known Irish Premier League side Dundalk, after leaving Hapoel Hadera. Oduwa joined the then reigning Irish Premier League champions in March of last year, but he had to wait until July of 2020 to make his competitive debut for Dundalk. The now 24 year old footballer who turns 25 in March, made 16 appearances for Dundalk during the season just gone, scoring two goals, which both came in the FAI Cup, against Bohemians and Athlone Town respectively, as Dundalk went on to win that competition. As well as playing in the league and cup for the Irish side, Nathan also made three appearances for them in the UEFA Europa League group stages (he created two goals in those games), and he also played once in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League. He left Dundalk at the end of the season just gone, and is currently without a club.
I recently caught up with two of Nathan Oduwa’s old Spurs Academy teammates, Kodi Lyons-Foster and Christian Maghoma to ask what it was like for them to play and train with Nathan at Spurs. Kodi said “ Nathan is someone who I regard as one of the most talented players I played with coming through the Academy. I can still remember magical moments he done to this day, whether it was in training or in matches. He was athletic, strong and quick and had all the technical attributes far beyond anyone else at the time, on top of that he was a great lad to have in the team, and was full of jokes and banter. I played in the age group above mine a lot when I was in the Academy so I spent a lot of time with Nath and he was just magical, he was able to do things that weren’t to be taught. From what I saw since leaving the club some of his highlights from his time at Rangers were even just a small amount of what he is capable of, despite him doing so well there. He’s a player with an abundance of ability and one I’m sure will surface to the top again soon. ” Christian said “ I think anybody who has played, trained or seen him play will agree when I say there’s not any player like him. Tall, strong, fast, powerful and so so skilful, it’s just a shame he hasn’t been able to show that yet to the world like he would have liked to. Absolute pleasure to play with and train with and I honestly think he’s one of the greatest youth team players ever. Hopefully he can boom on to the scene and show that to the world! ” Like what Kodi Lyons-Foster said about Nathan playing at the top again soon, I strongly agree with that, and I believe that he has the potential to play in a top league. I’m sure that Nathan will have a new club in the very near future, and I would like to wish the very talented player all the very best of luck for the future.
Almost a year since departing Spurs to move to Canadian MLS club Club de Foot Montréal, rising star Luis Binks has cemented his place in Thierry Henry’s Montréal side, secured a move to Serie A team Bologna and become one of the MLS’s most exciting young players. Centre-half Luis Binks is the second ex-Spurs Academy player who I will be looking at in my second piece in the series where are they now? Where I will look at how ex-Spurs Academy players from the last decade are getting on in the game. Another very recent player who was on Spurs’ books not that long ago at all, 19 year old Binks was at Spurs for a very long period of time. The defender made his competitive debut for our under 18 side as a schoolboy in a league game against Aston Villa during the 2016/17 season as substitute, along with now PSV player Noni Madueke. He would sign scholarship forms with the club in the summer of 2018, and he was part of a very talented age group which included the likes of Dennis Cirkin and Troy Parrott. The Gillingham born defender made 21 competitive appearances for our under 18 side during the 2018/19 season, becoming an almost permanent fixture on the team-sheet, Luis put in consistently excellent and strong defensive performances for the side that season. He was also a big reason why our defensive record was so strong that season as we competed with Arsenal for the Under 18 Premier League South title, Binks also stepped up to play for our under 19 side in the UEFA Youth league, and our under 23 side in the Premier League 2 on occasions. In his second year of scholarship at the club, Binks started the season really strongly with our under 18 side, and he was ever present in the UEFA Youth League group stages for our under 19’s. And it then wasn’t long at all before he became a regular for our under 23 side, he would remain almost exclusively with them until he departed the club in the February of 2020.
Binks was officially announced as a player of Canadian MLS club Club de Foot Montréal on February the 18th 2020, and he made his competitive debut for them against Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa in the CONCACAF Champions League. He then made his MLS debut for Montreal against New England Revolution, and he impressed by putting in a solid performance in central defence. The left sided central defender who has a real wand of a left foot, would go on to really make his mark on the side from a defensive point of view. The England youth international who is also eligible to represent Scotland, would play Montréal’s next league game against FC Dallas and also a CONCACAF Champions League against Olimpia, before the MLS season was stopped in March. Upon his and Montréal’s return to competitive action at the MLS Is Back Tournament in July, Binks would start every game at that tournament, and when the MLS started again in the following month he played every game for them bar two, that he missed through suspension. With his tough no-nonsense approach to defending, fine distribution, well time challenges and excellent leadership within the side, Binks became a really important player for Thierry Henry over the course of the 2020 season, and he got a lot of praise off the Montréal fans and football pundits. Binks helped his new side to finish in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, as they qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs (he was signed by Italian side Bologna and loaned back to Montréal in August, for the remainder of the 2020 season). Unfortunately the MLS club were beaten by New England Revolution in a qualification round match in the MLS Cup playoffs.
For Binks, the season just gone at Montréal couldn’t have gone any better for him really, the maturity that he showed was phenomenal for that of a 18/19 year old. He took to what is a very competitive league like an experienced pro, and he was also oozing confidence out on the pitch. That confidence and the leadership that he shows has always been something which has greatly impressed me, going back to his Spurs days. However, the consistent quality of his performances in the MLS last season were very good (I watched a lot of his games), and Binks showed that the physicality of the MLS was not something that was an issue for him. Putting in many a solid performance, games against the likes of Toronto and New England Revolution stood out, but his overall performances were quality. Strong in the air and on the ground, intelligent in his positioning and excellent at making crucial blocks in games, Binks was a stalwart of the team. His ability to bring the ball out from the back for Montréal to start forward moves was important, and his passing in general was nice and crisp and accurate. I was gutted when he left Spurs, as not only did I think that Luis had the potential to play for the Spurs first team, I have personally always seen him (since he joined Spurs full time) as one of the most exciting young defenders of his age group in England, and I saw him as potential first team captain at Spurs. Not a centre-half that possesses great pace, the Englishman’s great reading of the game makes up for this, as he showed last season in the MLS on many an occasion. Later on in the last MLS season it was announced that the former Spurs man would have his loan move from Bologna to Montréal extended for the entirety of the 2021 MLS season.
Never afraid to encourage or even give constructive feedback to his teammates on the pitch, Binks demonstrated the maturity of a seasoned pro during his excellent first season in the MLS. This was recognised by his loan club Montréal, as Binks was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year award, he was also nominated for the MLS Defender of the Year and Best Young Player awards, as well as coming 11th on the MLS’s best 22 on the under 22 list. A hugely exciting prospect, with a hugely exciting future in the game, and a player who I strongly believe will play for the English national senior team at some point in the future. The 2021 season will be a very interesting one for Binks, as he continues to improve and develop as a player. Come 2022 he could well already be getting regular game time in one of the top leagues in Europe, Serie A.
Spurs striker Troy Parrott completed just over 62 minutes of Millwall’s 3-0 defeat to Bristol City on Saturday afternoon in the fourth round of the FA Cup, as they were knocked out of the competition. Millwall played in what seemed to be a 4231 formation, with Parrott playing just off centre forward Kenneth Zohore during his time on the pitch. The Republic of Ireland international who turns 19 next month, had a low early effort from distance blocked by a Bristol City defender. Not long after that, Parrott sprayed a good pass out to Tom Bradshaw on the right hand side of the pitch, to start off a decent Millwall move. After picking the ball up on the left flank Kenneth Zohore went forward with the ball before looking to pass to Parrott who was waiting on the edge of the Bristol City penalty area. Zohore’s cross/pass deflected off a Bristol City player before bouncing in front of Parrott, but his effort on the half volley was straight at goalkeeper Max O’Leary, although he could have possibly passed the ball to Bradshaw, who was running forward down the right (Bristol City took the lead soon after). Parrott was pressing well and working hard off the ball even though there weren’t a lot of goal scoring chances, he did however, make a couple of good passes into empty spaces out on the right flank. The Dubliner wasn’t involved very much in the second half of the game, and a run across the Bristol City penalty area into a promising position where he could have had the ball played into his feet, just before Alex Pearce had an effort saved by O’Leary from the edge of box, was the closest that Troy came to really influencing the game in the final third in that second half (he was replaced on 62 minutes, with Millwall 2-0 down).
Although Parrott hasn’t been directly involved in a goal in any of his 14 competitive appearances for Millwall this season, he is working hard on the pitch and he is getting really valuable competitive senior game time. Of course his confidence is probably a little bit low, which is only natural if you’re a centre forward who hasn’t scored for a while. However, he is an excellent young player and a very special finisher too, and I’ve no doubts whatsoever that once he gets that first goal then more will follow. He has already shown his versatility for Millwall so far, which is a good thing and of course he was injured throughout the early parts of the season as well, which must have been difficult. Millwall’s next game is at home to Watford in the Championship, on Tuesday night.
I haven’t done one of these articles for a very long time now, but with the current lockdown and being unable to watch the Spurs under 18’s and under 23 side, I thought that I would return to writing this series of pieces. An occasional series where I will look back on former Spurs Academy players from the last decade, but also look at where are they now, and how they are doing at their current clubs (I,will look at some more recent Spurs players first, before going further back in the decade later on). The first ex-Spurs player that I will be looking at is the very talented Samuel Shashoua, who has been making a really good impact on LaLiga SmartBank side (Second Division) CD Tenerife of late. Still only 21 years of age, Samuel left Spurs permanently in the August of 2019 after spending the previous 2018/19 season on loan at Spanish Third Division side Atlético Baleares. A winger who is comfortable at operating on either flank, Shashoua joined Spurs full-time in 2015 (he made his competitive debut for the clubs under 18 side during the previous season) and he quickly became an important player in the side, enjoying a good 2015/16 season. The following season Shashoua became an integral part of the side, scoring and creating a great number of goals for the under 18 side, he also played up for the under 23’s on occasions. However, the highlight of that season for him, was being included on the bench for the first team against Leicester City in the Premier League towards the end of that season, and while he wasn’t brought on in that game it went to show just how highly rated he was by the club. Shashoua spent the next season (2017/18) playing primarily for the under 23 side (his first season as a professional at Spurs) while also featuring for our under 19 side in the UEFA Youth League. While he did have some issues with injury, Samuel stepped up to under 23 football with ease, and he put in some really strong performances over the course of the season, scoring some well taken goals in the process.
After one goal from one competitive appearance for Samuel during the 2018/19 season for Spurs’ under 23 side, the versatile forward went straight out on loan shortly after that game to Spanish Third Division side Atlético Baleares. He enjoyed a fantastic season in Mallorca with Atlético, scoring six goals from out wide and also registering a number of assists, as he played a big part in helping them to qualify for the playoffs, which they were unfortunately knocked out of at the last hurdle. Shashoua’s consistently excellent performances saw him attract attention from a number of Spanish clubs, and in the summer of 2019 he departed Spurs permanently to join LaLiga SmartBank side CD Tenerife. However, injuries stopped him from making his competitive debut for Tenerife during the 2019/20 season, and he was loaned back out to Atlético Baleares who had once again qualified for the playoffs. He actually got his first competitive minutes of the season in the March of 2020, when he came off the bench to feature for Atlético Baleares in a league game against UD Ibiza, soon before their season was stopped. Samuel did feature for Atlético in the playoffs against FC Cartagena, and he was without doubt their best player in that playoff game, which finished 0-0. However, to make what must have been a very difficult season with injury worse for Samuel, he unfortunately missed a crucial penalty kick after the end of extra time, which meant that Atlético didn’t win promotion to LaLiga SmartBank from that particular game. Atlético did have a second go to have a chance to possibly win promotion, but they lost 1-0 to UE Cornellà, although Samuel did put in a good performance during his 70 minutes on the pitch. So from the great disappointment of those games in the Third Division playoffs, as well as the injury troubles that he had during that season, Samuel ended up returning to Tenerife for pre-season for the start of the current 2020/21 season.
The former Spurs Academy player put in a series of impressive performances in pre-season for the club from the Canary Islands. Shashoua then patiently waited to make his mark on the side in competitive competition, and he ended up making his competitive debut for them in a LaLiga SmartBank game against Alcorćon as a substitute in September. A number of appearances off the bench followed for the former England youth international, before he got his first start for Tenerife against Espanyol in October. Since starting that game he has started six games for former Real Madrid player Luis Miguel Ramis’s side, as well as getting a good number of minutes in most of the games which he hasn’t started. From 17 competitive appearances for Tenerife this season Shashoua has scored three goals, he has also been somewhat of a creative force within the side, creating a number of fine chances for his teammates. I have watched virtually all of Shashoua’s games for Tenerife so far this season, and as you’ll all know I was a really big fan of him when he was coming up the ranks at Spurs. A player who is excellent technically speaking, the Londoner has also always had a phenomenal work rate, just like his younger brother Armando who currently plays for Atlético Baleares. He was consistently excellent at youth level for Spurs, and he was part of a very talented age group at the club. It’s really great to see him playing at a high level now, and also showing that quality and consistency too. So far this season for Tenerife Samuel has been playing quite a free attacking role and he has really showed his versatility during the first half of the season. He has played out on the right flank and the left (he is good with both feet, although he is right footed), and also as a number ten. He has liked to come inside off of either foot, and look to weave his way towards the edge of the penalty area or just inside the box, where he has always been so potent from.
All three of Samuel’s goals this season have come as a result of him coming inside from the flanks and dribbling with the ball before looking to test the keeper and try and find the far corner of the goal, which as I say he has managed to do on three occasions so far this season. From watching a great number of Tenerife games this season it is clear that Samuel is very confident in himself on the pitch, and he’s playing with a smile on his face as well. He’s always been a very intelligent and mature player for his age, with a great footballing brain, but Tenerife’s number 17 has improved a lot I feel even from that great first season with Atlético Baleares. He seems to have got quicker and even more confident, and with his excellent low centre of gravity and many clever twists and turns he has really made life difficult on occasions for some of the opposing defensive players that are playing in his league. Now a big creative outlet in this Tenerife side despite being one of the youngest current first team players, Samuel has fitted in and adapted very well to the Tenerife system, and after a bit of a difficult start to the league season, he has helped them to get some good points on the board of late, in what is quite a low scoring league. Strong performances against the likes of FC Cartagena, CD Castellón and Albacete of late will have made him even more popular with the Tenerife supporters who seem to really like him. The unpredictable nature of his game combined with his superb work rate and intelligent pressing makes him a great team player for the team, but apart from the important goals that he’s scored then you look at the creativity that he has produced on the field. His crosses into the box for the likes of forward Fran Sol to latch onto have been very good on occasions, and his understanding with his teammates on the pitch, such as right back and Anthony Georgiou’s old Levante teammate Shaq Moore has been very good, and as I say he has just fitted in really well to the team.
Arguably already one of Tenerife’s most creative players, he has forced his way into the team of late and that great talent of his has really shone through. Such a cool player under pressure, he has shown at just 21 that he can handle the demands and the physicality of LaLiga SmartBank, and he’s only going to get better and better, and I’ve no doubts whatsoever that he will play in the LaLiga Santander in the future. Currently injured at the moment, the player who helped Tenerife to reach the Copa del Rey Round of 32 unfortunately missed out on playing in their narrow defeat to LaLiga side Villarreal, a game that he could potentially have made a real difference in. When he does return to playing (hopefully very soon!) I would expect him to get more and more starts for Tenerife, and help them to climb further up the table (they are currently eight points off the playoff places), and also improve even further as a player. What an absolute joy and a pleasure he was to watch at Spurs, and still watch now as he develops more as a player. I’m sure he is extremely proud of how well he has bounced back from the difficulties of last season. And I for one would absolutely love to see him return to Spurs one day in the future. But if not, then I have no doubts whatsoever that when given the chance (hopefully with Tenerife) to step up to play in one of the major European leagues, that he will take that opportunity with both hands, and show his quality and footballing magic at the very highest level.
Talented young Spurs goalkeeper Brandon Austin (22) has joined American MLS side Orlando City on loan for six months, with the option for another six months. Austin has been a regular for our under 23 side this season making eight appearances, and after a successful loan at Danish Second Division side Viborg FF in the second half of last season, Austin joins a very competitive league where competition for a place in the Orlando City side will surely be big. Oscar Pareja’s Orlando side seem to have Peru international Pedro Gallese as their main goalkeeper, with Brian Rowe also getting minutes during last season, so it will be a great challenge for Austin to try and make that number one goalkeeping spot his own. An extremely consistent performer for our youth sides since joining the club full-time in 2015, the former Chelsea schoolboy has demonstrated time and time again his quality as a shot stopper. He is also very good at commanding his box and organising the defence in front of him. The goalkeeper’s new side will I believe play in the Eastern Conference in the 2021 MLS season, where they will face teams like New York City, Atlanta United and The Montreal Impact. Orlando finished in fourth place in the Eastern Conference last season, and they also made the quarter finals of the play offs, with well known former Manchester United player Nani helping them to achieve that. Austin’s loan move to Viborg FF during the last January transfer window would have been really beneficial to him, and while in Denmark he was Viborg’s number one goalkeeper, and he really helped finish the season strongly, making many a fine save in the Danish Second Division.
Called up regularly for England’s under 21 side over the last year, the goalkeeper from Hemel Hempstead is such a good all round goalkeeper in my opinion. I think that from watching him play last season, that he had got even better with his kicking, and just got even better as a goalkeeper all round. A player who has terrific reflexes, Austin is a player who has great potential, and who I strongly believe could play for Spurs’ first team in the future (he signed a new contract with the club last year which runs until 2022). This loan move will challenge Austin even further, and when he plays he will come up against some very good forwards, and I’ve actually watched a lot of MLS football during the season just gone as I’ve been watching ex-Spurs player Luis Binks play, and it’s a really competitive league. I believe that this is a great loan for Brandon’s development, and it will be a great experience for him. The 2021 MLS season hasn’t started yet, so Brandon will have a lot of time to settle in at his new club before the new season starts. This will be a great step up for Austin, he is a real leader in teams, and he is always confident and composed in his box. He showed that he could adapt to playing in a different country in a new league for him in Denmark, and so I’ve no doubts that this will be a successful loan spell for the 22 year old despite the obvious competition for a place in the side, and I’m sure that he will rise to the challenge. I would like to wish Brandon all the very best of luck for this loan move, and I very much look forward to watching him play in the MLS this season.
Matt Taylor’s Spurs under 18 side will play their first league game of 2021 when they take on north London rivals Arsenal at their London Colney training ground on Saturday morning (the game starts at 11am). Spurs actually only lost two league games in the year 2020, and that means that they are still in with a good chance of winning this seasons Premier League South league (Spurs are currently two points off league leaders Crystal Palace). We beat Arsenal 2-0 at Hotspur Way in game week two of the season back in September, and that days opponents Arsenal have won four league games since that match, and they currently occupy seventh spot in the league, after picking up 16 points from nine matches. And Arsenal have the best home record in the league so far this season, so this will be another tough game for Spurs, who come into this match after recording a 6-2 win over Newport County in the third round of the FA Youth Cup earlier in the month. Arsenal have influential players who are eligible to play tomorrow, such as Charlie Patino, Marcelo Flores and forward Luke Plange who has scored four league goals from eight appearances so far this season. I believe that for Spurs defender Maksim Paskotši should be able to return to the team after suspension, following the red card that he picked up against West Brom last month. I would like to wish the Spurs team all the very best of luck for this north London derby. A win for Spurs could move them up to the top of the league table.
My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Lo-Tutala (c), Lusala, Muir, Paskotši, Hackett, Matthew Craig, Michael Craig, Whittaker, Mundle, Santiago, Scarlett.
After emphatically defeating Brighton 5-1 down on the south coast last Friday, Spurs’ under 23 side take on east London club West Ham United this Friday (the game starts at 16:00pm) at West Ham’s Rush Green Stadium. Still in with a good chance of winning the Premier League 2 Division One league, a win for Spurs over West Ham tomorrow would make it three league wins in a row for Wayne Burnett’s side. Dmitri Halajko’s West Ham side haven’t played a competitive game of football since the 14th of December, and while they have only played ten league games so far this season, West Ham have only picked up five points from those ten games, and they currently occupy bottom spot in the league standings. We faced tomorrow’s opposition in game week two of the 2020/21 season, and from following West Ham’s live blog it sounded like West Ham had quite a few good chances early on in the game, but Spurs did end up winning the game 3-0, thanks to goals from Harvey White, Rodel Richards and George Marsh. Some West Ham’s forwards that the Spurs players will have to be aware of tomorrow include prolific striker Ademipo Odubeko, 22 year old skilful winger Nathan Holland, forward thinking fullback Sam Caiger and forward Sean Adarkwa. This West Ham side is full of talented players, and while the results haven’t been going their way this season (they beat Manchester United 2-0 at home not too long ago), they’ll be really up for this London derby, as they return to playing competitive football.
A key player for our under 23 side in creative midfielder Harvey White left the club to join Portsmouth on loan until the end of the season, while Anthony Georgiou left the club on a permanent transfer to Cypriot side AEL Limassol, so obviously neither player will be involved in tomorrow’s game. It was great to see centre half Malachi Fagan-Walcott return to get some minutes against Brighton in our last game, after being out injured for a long while, so he could potentially play some part in tomorrow’s game, which will be another tough one for Spurs, but they do have the joint best away record in the league. While tomorrow’s game is being played behind closed doors, West Ham are doing a live blog of the game on their website. Finally, I would just like to wish the Spurs team all the very best of luck for the game.
My one to watch: A player with good pace and skill, as well as being a really clinical finisher, Republic of Ireland youth international and striker Ademipo Odubeko (18) could be West Ham’s main danger man on Friday if he does play. The former Manchester United schoolboy scored twice for West Ham’s development side in the EFL Trophy against Southend United earlier this season, and for me I have been impressed with his fine movement off the ball whenever I have seen him play against Spurs. He will definitely be a player to watch out for if he is involved in Friday’s under 23 game. Odubeko made his first team for West Ham in a recent FA Cup game against Stockport County.
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