Spurs Under 23’s 1-4 Crystal Palace: (match report) 

Posted on by superhotspur

Spurs’ Under 23 side welcomed south London club Crystal Palace to Hotspur Way, on Monday afternoon, for their latest Premier League 2 game. Wayne Burnett’s Spurs side lost the match 4-1, and the away side Crystal Palace deserved to win today. Spurs lined-up with Joshua Oluwayemi in goal, while a defence of Dermi Lusala, Marqes Muir, captain Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Marcel Lavinier, started in front of the Spurs goalkeeper. Matthew Craig and Max Robson started in central-midfield, while J’Neil Bennett and Yago Santiago started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Alfie Devine. Dane Scarlett led the line for Spurs. Crystal Palace got the game underway, and it was the away side who took an early lead. After latching onto a loose ball on the edge of the Spurs penalty area, Scott Banks hit an unstoppable effort into the top left hand corner of the Spurs goal, 0-1. Malachi Fagan-Walcott blocked Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s effort inside the Spurs box, not long after. Max Robson narrowly missed making contact with Dane Scarlett’s cross inside the Crystal Palace box, before Spurs midfielder Matthew Craig received a yellow card after conceding a free-kick on the edge of the Spurs box.

Scott Banks stepped up to take the resulting free-kick, and his curling effort went into the Spurs goal, after hitting the post, 0-2. Spurs responded well though, and after Dane Scarlett found the run of Alfie Devine with a nice pass. Devine continued with the ball down the right side of the Crystal Palace penalty area, before hitting a low effort towards the goal, which went in off the left hand post, 1-2. Scott Banks headed wide from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s cross, before Matthew Craig had an effort saved from distance. Jack Wells Morrison saw his volleyed effort on goal, take a deflection off of John-Kymani Gordon and go wide, and then a promising ball over the top of the Crystal Palace defence from Dermi Lusala, resulted in Dane Scarlett trying to get to the ball. Scarlett managed to get onto the ball but his looping effort was headed away by Crystal Palace goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. After receiving the ball out on the right flank from Dermi Lusala, J’Neil Bennett cut inside onto his left foot and hit Joe Whitworth’s left hand post. From a cross on the right flank, John-Kymani Gordon tested Oluwayemi, with a good headed effort on goal. However, the Spurs goalkeeper tipped the ball over his crossbar.

A cross from Marcel Lavinier was volleyed back into the Crystal Palace box by Dermi Lusala, but Max Robson, who met the ball, had his headed effort on goal saved by Whitworth. Nya Kirby then headed wide Omotayo Adaramola’s cross wide of the Spurs goal, in what turned out to be the final chance of the first half. Spurs got the second half underway. J’Neil Bennett hit an effort over from the edge of the Crystal Palace box, before Scott Banks hit an effort narrowly wide at the other end of the pitch. Crystal Palace regained their two goal lead not long after, as former Spurs Academy player Nya Kirby received the ball inside the Spurs box. Kirby hit a powerful effort towards Oluwayemi’s goal, and although the Spurs goalkeeper managed to get a hand on the ball, he was unable to keep it out of the goal, 1-3. Spurs tried to respond again, as Dermi Lusala’s cross was brought down inside the Crystal Palace box by Dane Scarlett. However, Max Robson managed to find the ball, but his effort went over the Crystal Palace goal. Malachi Fagan-Walcott blocked behind an effort from Nya Kirby, before Marqes Muir headed clear an effort from Daniel Quick. 

Dermi Lusala received a yellow card after conceding a free-kick on the edge of the Spurs box. Scott Banks stepped up to curl his resulting effort onto Joshua Oluwayemi’s crossbar. However, the ball then came to Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who finished from close range. Spurs made a double substitution, as Jaden Williams and Rio Kyerematen came on to replace Max Robson and Dane Scarlett, respectively. There wasn’t much more to report on during the remainder of the game, but a red card was shown to Spurs defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott, late on in the match, for an off the ball incident. Spurs’ next Premier League 2 game is away to Chelsea, on the 18th of February.

Player reviews:

  • Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper made a good save to stop John-Kymani Gordon from scoring a first half goal. However, Oluwayemi was clearly frustrated that he was unable to stop Crystal Palace’s third goal of the game, after managing to get a hand on the ball, from Nya Kirby’s effort.
  • Dermi Lusala: The right-back had a lot of work to do to defend down the right side of the pitch, today. Lusala did get forward well though, to help out J’Neil Bennett.
  • Marqes Muir: The right sided centre-half teamed up with Malachi Fagan-Walcott in central-defence. Muir had a lot of defending to do, and although this was only his second consecutive start for the first time in a while, I thought that overall he did a good job defensively speaking. He also showed good quality on the ball.
  • Malachi Fagan-Walcott: The Spurs captain and left sided centre-half for the game, like Marqes Muir, had a lot of defending to do today against the talented Crystal Palace forwards. Fagan-Walcott will however, miss the next three Spurs Under 23 matches, after being shown a late red card.
  • Marcel Lavinier: The left-back was particularly good going forward today, and he was often making good forward runs off the ball.
  • Matthew Craig: One of Spurs’ most impressive performers on Monday, midfielder Matthew Craig had a strong game alongside Max Robson, in my opinion. He used the ball well, and worked hard for the team.
  • Max Robson: This was midfielder Max Robson’s first start in a competitive game of football for a very long time. And the player who was playing in central-midfield today, did well in my opinion. Robson made some good runs off the ball, and wasn’t that far away from managing to score a goal. He pressed the Crystal Palace players really well, and his off the ball work didn’t go unnoticed.
  • J’Neil Bennett: Playing out on the right flank as a winger, J’Neil Bennett didn’t see lots of the ball. However, he did manage to hit the post during the first half, with a good effort.
  • Alfie Devine: My man of the match, see below.
  • Yago Santiago: Playing as a left-winger, again today, Yago Santiago did go on some good forward runs with the ball as the game went on.
  • Dane Scarlett: The Spurs centre-forward had a good first half. He made some good runs off the Crystal Palace defenders, set-up Alfie Devine’s goal with a good pass, and he worked hard throughout the game.
  • Rio Kyerematen: Making his competitive debut for the Spurs Under 23 side as a second half substitute, midfielder Rio Kyerematen played in central-midfield.
  • Jaden Williams: Replacing Dane Scarlett at centre-forward, first year scholar Jaden Williams worked hard after being introduced during the second half. He has been playing well for the Spurs Under 18 side so far this season.

My man of the match: Alfie Devine. The second year scholar impressed with his vision with the ball, off the ball running and all round play. Devine played as a CAM, and he scored a really well taken goal during the first half. The former Wigan Athletic player did show his quality throughout the game, and he was always available to receive the ball, as he tried to be inventive with it.

Spurs Under 23’s versus Crystal Palace: (match preview)

Posted on by superhotspur

Spurs’ Under 23 side host Crystal Palace tomorrow (Monday) at Hotspur Way, in their latest Premier League 2 game. The match, which starts at 12:00pm, could be a very interesting one, as Crystal Palace beat Spurs 4-3 in the reverse fixture back in October of last year. Crystal Palace are four points and two places behind fourth placed Spurs in the league, in what is their first ever season in Premier League 2 Division One. Winger and England youth international Jesuran Rak-Sakyi was particularly impressive in the reverse fixture last year, and he will be a player to watch tomorrow. As are players like Nya Kirby (former Spurs Academy player),  David Omilabu and recent signing Killian Phillips. It’s also worth noting that Crystal Palace’s Under 23 side has included some players with a lot of first team experience in recent games, such as Martin Kelly. So it will be interesting to see if their team tomorrow does include some players with first team experience. Spurs lost their most recent league game (against Everton), and they are without a win in their last three Premier League 2 matches. This will be a really interesting game, tomorrow, and my match report will be out later on after the game on Monday. I would like to wish Wayne Burnett’s side all the very best of luck for the match.

My predicted lineup: Oluwayemi, Lusala, Muir, Fagan-Walcott, Lavinier, Bowden, White (c), Robson, Devine, Bennett, Scarlett.

Subs from: Lo-Tutala, Paskotši, Matthew Craig, Mundle, Santiago.

Injured/unavailable: Tobi Omole, Kallum Cesay.

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 3-4.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: Jesuran Rak-Sakyi (19). The Crystal Palace winger is a very creative player, who has already been involved in 14 league goals at Under 23 level, so far this season (11 goals and three assists). A very skilful player with good pace, the England youth international made his Premier League debut for Crystal Palace’s first team earlier on in the season.

Spurs Under 18’s 2-4 Crystal Palace: (match report)

Posted on by superhotspur

Spurs’ Under 18 side faced Crystal Palace in the Premier League South, at Hotspur Way on Saturday. Spurs lost the match 4-2, but it was a very competitive game of football. However, Crystal Palace were more clinical than Spurs in-front of goal on the day. Luca Gunter started in goal, while George Abbott, Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Alfie Dorrington and Jayden Meghoma started in defence. Han Willhoft-King and Rio Kyerematen teamed up in central-midfield, as Maxwell McKnight and Thomas Bloxham started out wide, either side of CAM Jamie Donley. Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. Crystal Palace got the game underway, but it was Spurs who took an early lead, through defender Alfie Dorrington. The Spurs defender made a run to the near post of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Owen Goodman’s goal, as from a Thomas Bloxham corner-kick he connected well with the ball to head it into the back of the goal, 1-0. However, the visitors managed to score an equaliser less than six minutes later, after Ademola Ola-Adebomi managed to win the ball off of Brandon Bryan Waugh on the edge of the Spurs box. He then continued into the Spurs box, before finishing with a low effort to the left of Luca Gunter, 1-1.

Thomas Bloxham and a number of his teammates looked for a penalty kick from the referee, after Bloxham’s lofted pass inside the Crystal Palace box appeared to hit the arm of one of their players, but the referee waived away the Spurs penalty appeals. After receiving a through-ball pass, Jadan Raymond hit an effort over from inside the Spurs box. A couple of minutes later the same player managed to win the ball off of Spurs’ left-back Jayden Meghoma, before finding Ademola Ola-Adebomi inside the Spurs penalty area. Ola-Adebomi managed to slot the ball past Luca Gunter in the Spurs goal, 1-2. Spurs looked to respond, as Rio Kyerematen cut inside with the ball from the left flank. He went past Jadan Raymond and then David Ozoh inside the Crystal Palace box, but his attempted pass to a teammate was put behind by a defender, for a corner-kick. Another good delivery from a Thomas Bloxham corner-kick, resulted in the ball finding it’s way to Maxwell McKnight inside the Crystal Palace penalty area. McKnight’s resulting effort deflected into the path of Spurs captain Rio Kyerematen, who finished low past Owen Goodman, 2-2.

Another promising Crystal Palace through-ball pass, this time to Victor Akinwale, resulted in the forward, who had seemed to just stay onside, bring the ball into the Spurs box, before finishing low past Gunter, 2-3. After receiving Jamie Donley’s pass down the left side of the Crystal Palace box, Thomas Bloxham cut inside onto his right foot before seeing his resulting effort blocked by a defender. The half-time whistle was sounded by the referee moments later. Spurs got the second half underway. Rio Kyerematen’s volleyed effort at Owen Goodman’s near post, from a Thomas Bloxham free-kick, was saved by the Crystal Palace goalkeeper, early on in the half. Brandon Bryan-Waugh then managed to block behind Ademola Ola-Adebomi’s effort inside the Spurs box. Luca Gunter did well to tip behind the resulting corner-kick, before Jadan Raymond hit an effort narrowly wide from distance. Billy Heaps came on to replace Jamie Donley, before Jahziah Linton and Renaldo Torraj replaced George Abbott and Thomas Bloxham, respectively. After Billy Heaps laid the ball off to Alfie Dorrington just outside of the Crystal Palace box, Dorrington hit the ball over the Crystal Palace goal. 

Late on in the game a long ball over the top of the Spurs defence meant that Luca Gunter had to come rushing out of his goal to try and clear the ball away from Ademola Ola-Adebomi. However, Gunter didn’t manage to get much on the ball, and the Crystal Palace forward managed to get past two Spurs defenders inside the penalty area to pass the ball into the goal, and get his hat-trick, 2-4. After meeting Maxwell McKnight’s cross from the right flank, Renaldo Torraj’s headed effort bounced up off the ground, but Owen Goodman was able to make the save. The final score from Hotspur Way was Spurs 2-4 Crystal Palace. Spurs’ next game at this level is next Saturday, when they travel to the English Midlands to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in an FA Youth Cup fifth round tie.

Player reviews: 

  • Luca Gunter: The first year scholar was alert and he came rushing out of his goal on a couple of occasions during the match. Gunter dealt particularly well with crosses and set-pieces.
  • George Abbott: Playing at right-back, first year scholar George Abbott made his first ever competitive start at this level today, and he was very busy and involved in defending during his time on the pitch.
  • Brandon Bryan-Waugh: The Spurs defender started the game on the right hand side of central-defence, where he teamed up with Alfie Dorrington. However, he would later end up playing the final stages of the match at right-back.
  • Alfie Dorrington: Taking his early headed goal well, Alfie Dorrington had a lot of defending to do along with Brandon Bryan-Waugh during parts of the match.
  • Jayden Meghoma: The left-back was making his first competitive start at this level, and he liked to get forward when he could.
  • Han Willhoft-King: The defensive-midfielder read the game well at times, and he always made himself available to receive the ball and go forward with it. Han Willhoft-King seems to be adapting really well to playing football at this level. 
  • Rio Kyerematen: My man of the match, see below.
  • Maxwell McKnight: The Spurs winger put in a tireless performance out on the right flank. He was as always very direct in his play, both on and off the ball, but the footballer from Colchester showed a real determination on the pitch. McKnight tracked back well when he had to, but he was always looking to get on the ball and get forward with it, before looking to get a cross into the Crystal Palace box. Maxwell was involved in Rio Kyerematen’s first half goal.
  • Jamie Donley: The Spurs CAM got some important minutes (69 in total), in what was his first start at Academy level for quite a while. 
  • Thomas Bloxham: The left winger started the game well, and showed some good quality whenever he was on the ball. Bloxham was also involved in both of Spurs’ goals today, as a result of his two well delivered corner-kicks.
  • Jaden Williams: Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs against Crystal Palace, and he was unlucky not to have more chances created for him on the day.
  • Billy Heaps: The second half substitute went into midfield following his introduction, and I thought that he did well during his time on the pitch.
  • Jahziah Linton: The second half substitute played in central-defence after he came on late on in the game.
  • Renaldo Torraj: The late substitute was always looking to take players on during his time on the pitch, and he was inventive with the ball.

My man of the match: Rio Kyerematen. The midfielder and England Under 17 international had a fine game in central-midfield for Spurs today. Spurs’ captain for the game was always nice and direct with the ball, and he went on some good forward runs with it. Kyerematen also took his first half goal well, his fourth of the season.

Spurs Under 18’s versus Crystal Palace: (match preview)

Posted on by superhotspur

Spurs’ Under 18 side will face Crystal Palace in the Premier League South, on Saturday morning (the game starts at 11:00am) at Hotspur Way. Crystal Palace are in fifth place in the Premier League South, with 25 points from 13 matches played. Last season Crystal Palace finished as runners up in the Premier League South, to Fulham, and in the last two competitive meetings between Spurs and Crystal Palace at this level, Crystal Palace have won both games 3-0. This will be a very difficult game for Spurs, who have an important FA Youth Cup fifth round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers the following Saturday. However, it would be great for Spurs’ confidence going into that FA Youth Cup game, to get a good result against Crystal Palace tomorrow. My match report of the game will be out tomorrow, and I would like to wish Spurs all the very best of luck for the game.

My predicted lineup: Gunter, Bryan-Waugh, Dorrington, Sayers (c), Hackett-Valton, Willhoft-King, Kyerematen, McKnight, Donley, Bloxham, Williams.

Subs from: Maguire, Linton, Andiyapan, Heaps, Amo-Ameyaw.

Injured/unavailable: N/A,

Doubtful: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 0-3.

My score prediction: 1-1.

My one to watch: Victor Akinwale. The Crystal Palace player and England Under 18 international, has scored 11 league goals and provided one assist from 12 Premier League South appearances this season.

Where are they now? Former Spurs Academy player Maximus Tainio:

Posted on by superhotspur

Maximus Tainio predominantly played for Spurs’ Under 18 side as a right-back, during his time at the club. The son of former Spurs player Teemu Tainio, Auxerre born footballer Maximus joined the Spurs Academy full-time in the summer of 2017, having previously been with Finnish side HJK Helsinki. He made his league debut for the Spurs Under 18 side in a Premier League South game against West Ham United, which Spurs won 3-1, back in the October of 2017. Tainio would make an additional five league appearances for Scott Parker’s side, during the rest of that season. Also capable of playing in midfield, as a central-midfielder, Maximus made his competitive debut for the Spurs Under 23 side during the same season, when he came on as a late substitute in an away Premier League 2 game with West Ham United. During the following season, and during the early parts of it, then second year scholar Maximus made a good number of appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side. He played really well and really made that right-back position his own, during the first part of the season. Really good at making forward runs off the ball, the Finland youth international put in some excellent defensive performances.

Always playing the game at a really good intensity, and having a good balance to his game as well, Tainio captained the Spurs Under 18 side to a highly impressive 9-0 league win over West Ham United during the first half of 2018/19. In total Maximus made 14 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side during 2018/19, and it would have been a lot more had he not been unfortunate enough to miss the second half of the season because of injury. He also made two competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 23 side before missing much of the second half of the season, and he even went in goal during the latter stages of a Premier League International Cup game with Norwich City, making two good and important saves during his time in goal. Maximus left Spurs at the end of the 2018/19 season, after his contract came to an end. He joined Finnish Veikkausliiga side FC Haka, soon after leaving Spurs. His dad Teemu is the manager of FC Haka. Maximus then joined then Finnish second division side AC Kajaani, on a short loan. He made two competitive appearances for them, before returning to FC Haka, where he made 14 Finnish Veikkausliiga appearances, during the 2020 season.

The former Spurs Academy player enjoyed another good season of development at FC Haka, during the recent 2021 Finnish Veikkausliiga season. The now 20 year old footballer made 24 Finnish Veikkausliiga appearances for FC Haka during the 2021 season, scoring two goals and providing four assists, as he helped them to achieve an eighth placed league finish. Maximus seemed to be playing in a good variety of positions during his time at FC Haka. Last month he signed for fellow Finnish Veikkausliiga side HIFK on a permanent transfer. Maximus made his competitive debut for HIFK in the Liigacup, on the 28th of January, when he completed 77 minutes in central-midfield, as they won 1-0 against FC Inter. It’s great to see Maximus doing well for himself in the game, and I wish him a very successful 2022 season with his new club.

Where are they now? Former Spurs Academy player Moroyin Omolabi:

Posted on by superhotspur

A versatile player, former Spurs Academy player Moroyin Omolabi, was capable of playing in defence, at centre-half or in a midfield role, during his time at Spurs. Omolabi joined Spurs full-time in the summer of 2016, and over the next season and a half (2016/17 and the first half of 2017/18) he would make a total of 22 league appearances for the Spurs Under 18 side, scoring one goal and providing one assist. Moroyin played at centre-half and in central-midfield, during his season and a half as a scholar at the club. At the start of the 2017/18 season (while still a second year scholar) the former Spurs Academy player teamed up on some occasions with Brooklyn Lyons-Foster at centre-half, where he did well. I remember Moroyin being very good in the air, composed on the ball and good in the challenge. I also remember Omolabi being good at reading defensive situations, as well. Around halfway through the 2017/18 season, Moroyin Omolabi left Spurs as a second year scholar, and joined Reading, where he started playing some matches for their Under 18 side. 

The defender made some competitive appearances for Reading’s Under 18 side during the remainder of the season, and in one Premier League South game against Norwich City, he scored two goals from midfield, in a 4-1 win. Then during the following 2018/19 season, Moroyin made two Premier League 2 appearances for Reading’s Under 23 side. The former Spurs player left Reading at the end of the 2018/19 season, and then he joined non-League side Berkhamsted, in November of 2019. After some time spent there, Moroyin joined another non-League side in Grays Athletic, who he was with for a while. And most recently Moroyin had been playing in the third tier of Swedish football, with Ljungskile, who he made 19 league appearances for during last season. Omolabi last made a squad for Ljungskile, who finished in sixth place in their league, last season, back in November of last year, when he came on as a late second half substitute against Lindome. Ljungskile’s new league season starts in April of this year, but I have been unable to find out whether or not Moroyin will still be playing for them during the new season. However, I wish him all the very best of luck for his future in the game.

Where are they now? Former Spurs Academy player Reo Griffiths:

Posted on by superhotspur

Centre-forward Reo Griffiths (21) was at Spurs for a number of years as an Academy player, after making the move from his first club Leyton Orient. A very versatile player, who could play in defence, out-wide, in midfield and up-front as a centre-forward, prior to signing scholarship forms with Spurs, when Reo would often lead the line for the Spurs Under 18 side. After signing scholarship forms in the summer of 2016, the former England youth international became a regular for the Spurs Under 18 side, and although he didn’t always play up-front as a centre-forward during that 2016/17 season. He still scored a good number of goals. Griffiths was also an important member of the Spurs Under 18 side that reached the semi-final’s of that seasons FA Youth Cup, and he scored one goal in the quarter-final 5-3 win over Newcastle United, that season. In 2017/18 Reo had an outstanding season with then Head Coach Scott Parker’s Spurs Under 18 side, when he was honestly unplayable in nearly every game that season. The then second year scholar scored a combined total of 34 goals for the Spurs Under 18 side, and the Under 19 side in the UEFA Youth League, and also provided 12 assists for his teammates.

During 2017/18 Reo, who hadn’t really long started playing up-front by that stage in his career, was really adding a lot more to his game. He was holding the ball up really well, bringing others into play, and most importantly of all scoring a real variety of goals. The centre-forward finished the 2017/18 season as top scorer in the Under 18 Premier League South, with 27 goals. Griffiths also made four competitive appearances for the Spurs Development side during 2017/18. In recent years however, Reo’s outstanding goalscoring total will probably not be bettered or even matched for a very long time, by a Spurs Academy player. However, at the start of the following 2018/19 season Reo departed Spurs, as he moved to France to join French side Olympique Lyon, on a contract until the summer of 2022. The former Spurs player made his competitive debut for Olympique Lyon B, in the fourth tier of French football, as a substitute in a league game with FC Martigues, in December of 2018. He made a further seven competitive appearances for Olympique Lyon B, during the remainder of that season. 

Strong in the air and a clinical finisher, who likes to try his luck on goal from distance. Griffiths scored six goals and provided one assist from 16 competitive appearances for Olympique Lyon B, during 2019/20. He then scored six goals from nine league appearances during the following 2020/21 season, when he captained Lyon’s B team on three occasions. However, during the current 2021/22 season Reo has only made one appearance for Olympique Lyon B. With that coming in a 4-0 league defeat to Marignane G. FC, in October of last year. That was his first competitive game of football for a long time. He last made a squad for Olympique Lyon B in November of 2021, and with Reo’s contract running out at the end of this season, it will be interesting to see if he does stay with Lyon, in France, or if he even comes back to England at some stage. I always enjoyed watching Reo play for Spurs at Academy level, and in particular during that 2017/18 season he was just so consistently good. I wish him all the very best for the rest of the 2021/22 season, and also for his future in the game.

Some notes on Spurs loanee Troy Parrott’s performance against Wycombe Wanderers:

Posted on by superhotspur

Troy Parrott (19) completed the whole of MK Dons’s League One match with Wycombe Wanderers, at Adams Park on Saturday afternoon. The Spurs loanee started the match up front, as a forward, and would lead the line for the majority of the game, until Connor Wickham came on in the second half. MK Dons won the game 1-0. Early on in the match Parrott received a pass from Scott Twine, he then entered the Wycombe penalty area after going on a forward run with the ball, following some good movement off the ball. However, the Republic of Ireland international was crowded out by Wycombe defenders, and had to pass the ball back to a teammate, despite it initially looking like a promising move. MK Dons took the lead in the 13th minute of the game, after Theodor Corbeanu’s low cross from the right wasn’t gathered properly by the Wycombe goalkeeper, and Scott Twine was able finish from inside the Wycombe box. However, Parrott had made a good and well timed run into the Wycombe penalty area, and this could have possibly distracted the Wycombe goalkeeper, David Stockdale, for the goal.

I noticed at the game today, that during the first half Troy was giving out advice to teammates, dropping deep quite a bit to get on the ball, and also looking confident on the pitch. After latching onto Tennai Watson’s pass down the right hand side of the Wycombe box, Parrott tried his luck on goal, with a powerful effort. However, goalkeeper David Stockdale managed to gather his effort at his near post. Wycombe defender Ryan Tafazolli could often be seen trying to mark Parrott during the first half, and often following him when he dropped deep into midfield. After receiving Theodor Corbeanu’s pass on the right hand side of the Wycombe penalty area, Troy attempted to find a teammate at the back post, who was in space. However, Wycombe defender Anthony Stewart did well to get to the ball, and put it behind for a corner-kick. Continuing to work really hard defensively for the team, Troy Parrott saw a half chance come his way, fairly early on in the second half. A cross into the Wycombe box came Theodor Corbeanu’s way, and his headed effort hit the crossbar. The ball then came to Parrott, but with some Wycombe defenders around him, his effort which lacked power was saved relatively comfortably by David Stockdale.

After receiving a yellow card in the 67th minute of the game, Troy seemed to move out more to the right flank, following the introduction of Connor Wickham, shortly afterwards. I was impressed with how much ground Troy covered during the second half, and he could often be seen defending inside the MK Dons box. Late on in the match Troy received a clever pass from Connor Wickham, down the right side of the Wycombe box, but with no support he had to try his luck on goal, and his effort was blocked behind for a corner-kick off of Ryan Tafazolli. This was a really hardworking performance from the Dublin born Spurs loanee, and there were about three or four occasions during today’s game when Troy had got into some really good goalscoring positions, after making some good runs. On another day he would have had the ball played into feet at least twice, in those situations.

Where are they now? Former Spurs Academy player Tariq Hinds:

Posted on by superhotspur

Full-back Tariq Hinds was at Spurs as an Academy player for a number of years, up until leaving them at the end of his contract in the summer of 2020. The Goodmayes born footballer who is capable of playing at full-back on either flank, or in central-midfield, was a player who was consistent in my opinion, and also very reliable during his time as a Spurs Academy player. Hinds signed scholarship forms with Spurs during the summer of 2016, and he would make his first competitive appearance of the season for the Spurs Under 18 side in a 5-1 home league win over Aston Villa in the August of 2016. Making good progress during that 2016/17 season, Tariq also stepped up to play for the Spurs Under 23 side on occasions during that season. The then first year scholar had a memorable game against Swansea City at Under 18 level during 2016/17, when he scored a brace against them, while playing in central-midfield. Tariq helped Spurs’ Under 18 side reach the final of the Under 18 Premier League Cup, during the following 2017/18 season, when he was a regular and important player for the Spurs Under 18 side for the second consecutive season.

Hinds stepped up permanently to the Spurs Under 23 side during the 2018/19 season, when once again I thought that he did well on a consistent basis. A good all-round full-back, who reads the game well and is tenacious, but who also is a really good and skilful footballer who has good pace and who likes to take players on. Tariq is a real team player and one who will always give his all for the team. He reads situations really well, and is always alert. And his versatility and ability to comfortably play at full-back on either flank, or in midfield, is something which is really impressive. During his final season at Spurs (2019/20), Tariq played almost every game for the Spurs Development side, and he often filled in at left-back because Dennis Cirkin was injured for quite a bit of that season. A really determined player, Hinds provided two assists for Wayne Burnett’s side during that season, and he put in very good performances for the Under 23 side against the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton. However, he was released by the club at the end of the 2019/20 season, and he would then unfortunately spend some time without a club.

Tariq decided to try a new footballing culture and he joined Portuguese side Lusitano Évora, and he played there for a while during the 2020/21 season, in what must have been a really good experience for him. He returned to England for the beginning of this season, and he joined National League South side Billericay Town, in October of 2021. The now 21 year old has made 11 league appearances for Billericay since joining them, and he seems to be doing well for them. His most recent appearance for them came as recently as Tuesday, when he played for them against Slough Town, in the National League South, in a game which ended 1-1. Teammates of Tariq’s at Billericay, are former Spurs players Shaq Coulthirst and Jack Munns. Tariq also plays in the same league as former Spurs Academy player Maxwell Statham. Billericay are currently in bottom place in the National League South, but hopefully they can stay up. I wish Tariq all the very best of luck for the remainder of the season, and for his future in the game.

Some notes on Spurs Academy player Nile John and his loan move to Charlton Athletic:

Posted on by superhotspur

Midfielder Nile John (18) joined League One side Charlton Athletic on loan for the remainder of the 2021/22 season, on Thursday. John had been a regular and important player for the Spurs Under 23 side during the first half of this season, and he had been directly involved in 11 goals (seven goals and four assists) from 16 competitive appearances. John had almost always been playing as a CAM for Wayne Burnett’s side this season, but he is also capable of playing out-wide, or in central-midfield. The London born footballer who has been at Spurs for many years, made his competitive debut for the Spurs Under 18 side during the 2018/19 season, and signed scholarship forms with the club at the end of that season. Nile had some injuries during the following 2019/20 season, and he missed a fair bit of the season, but he did return before the end of the season, and he did well during the remaining matches for the Spurs Under 18 side. In 2020/21 he did well for the Spurs Under 18 side, and he then spent much of the second half of the season with the Under 23 side, who he made ten competitive appearances for.

A highly skilful forward thinking midfield player, Nile John likes to go on skilful forward runs with the ball, taking players on and then using his nice weight of pass to thread a pass through to one of the Spurs forwards. However, this season he has been trying his luck on goal a lot more than during the previous seasons, and he has scored some really well taken goals. The player who has already made two competitive appearances for the Spurs first team, has enjoyed a really good first half of this season and his loan move to League One side Charlton Athletic is in my opinion really good for his development as a footballer. Former Spurs player Johnnie Jackson is the manager at Charlton, and Nile will be competing with Charlton midfielders such as Albie Morgan, Alex Gilbey and Sean Clare, for a place in the side. However, it will be interesting to see whether Nile plays in central midfield or as a CAM, where he has been playing at for most of this season. I’m a big fan of Nile John and his style of play, and I’m really hoping that he’ll get a lot of games for Charlton, from now until the end of the season. I wish him a very successful loan move at Charlton.