Spurs reserves lose out to Spam stiffs

[BoringOldFan]

Tottenham reserves were beaten 3-1 by a well-drilled West Ham side that featured a number of first-team players. It was an opportunity for coach Clive Allen to give some Academy players a bit more experience, but there was no disguising the gap in technique between the two sides as the visitors ran out comfortable winners.

West Ham fielded Jimmy Walker, Jonathan Spector, John Pantsil, Bobby Zamora and Dean Ashton, all with Premier League experience. Clive Allen went in the other direction, bringing in the likes of Jonathan Obika, Takura Mtandari and Dean Parrett from the junior side.

Spurs started brightly and looked good, as centre backs Dorian Dervite and Troy Archibald-Henville got the better of the more senior strike opponents. Dervite even managed some forward runs, and one great through ball to right winger Kyle Fraser-Allen saw a dangerous cross to Simon Dawkins create a chance.

Spurs took the lead when Danny Rose took a free kick on the right which flew across the penalty area and into the far corner without anyone touching it. But West Ham were clicking into gear and equalised just before half time after some sloppy defending.

Rose was looking good playing left central midfield inside David Hutton, and Fraser-Allen made some dangerous runs down the right. But Dawkins and Obika were unable to strike up a Berbatov-Keane style partnership and too many attacks broke down in the latter stages.

The second half was more of the same, as first Dean Ashton tapped home from close range, and then the Spam no. 7 drove right through the centre of midfield and the defence to flick a right-footed shot past David Button. Despite the introduction of Takura Mtandari and Dean Parrett, Spurs were unable to regain the initiative and create further problems for the visitors.

All in all a disappointing night, so here are some photos featuring Paxton the SpursCommunity mascot.

Paxton reads what his heroes got up to last night.

There's more to following Spurs than going to European cities of culture and Wembley. Paxton spends a cold night in Leyton.

Kyle Fraser-Allen waits for play to resume. I know - crap caption.

1-1 at half time and Paxton gets some refreshment.

Unfortunately after the excesses of last night he can't handle it, and ends up "doing a Ledley".

Troy Archibald-Henville is booked in the second half.

David Hutton and Fraser-Allen are substituted by Takura Mtandari (14) and Dean Parrett (not in pic).

Dean Parrett was asked to play right midfield. Made bright start and then struggled to get into the game. But the boy looks strong and has a few tricks.

Bleach-blond Dean Ashton (centre) helps out his defence at a corner.

Joe Martin (third left) skies a late chance over the bar.

So something like a sixth straight defeat on the trot for the stiffs. A far cry from their league-winning antics of two seasons ago. But then they featured Radek Cerny, Stephen Kelly, Jamie O'Hara, Calum Davenport, Johnnie Jackson, Dean Marney, Charlie Lee, Charlie Daniels, Andy Barcham and Lee Barnard to name but ten. Clive Alen is grappling manfully with the changes in his squad and choosing to give more experience to the youngsters. Hopefully in the case of Rose and Parrett it will pay off with first-team appearances in a season or two.

 

[hughy]

Mmmmm. Christina...




Almost forgot, good pictures. You better watch Paxton.

 

[mrboombarrakoomba]

thanks for the report BOF. based on what you've seen this season, do you think Rose can break into the 1st team squad this season?

 

[BoringOldFan]

thanks for the report BOF. based on what you've seen this season, do you think Rose can break into the 1st team squad this season?

Tough question. He played in the Hudd/Zok position of left central midfield, and doesn't have the stature of those two yet. I would prefer to see him in his old role of left wing, because he's pacey and can cross the ball. In that respect I would have him on the bench ahead of Taarabt. It would be good to see him come on for Steed if we are in control of a game with 15 minutes to go.

 

[eddiebailey]

Cheers for the report BOF. I can't get to reserve games now, so it is good to have you to keep me in touch.

Think the problem is not just that Clive's former stalwarts have moved on (or, in Jamie's case, up); but that the lads who should have followed in their footsteps have not been available for selection. Of the dozen or so lads who have come up from the Academy in the last two seasons I think only Hughton has not had a major injury.

Is Joe Martin looking anything like the prospect he was before injury knocked him back, when we had the 'Pool sniffing round trying to poach him?

 

[Bill_Oddie]

Lovely stuff. Cheers BOF.

Not upset to losing to such a strong outfit as that. Good for the Centre-backs to handle someone of Ashton's strength and class. Would be nice if Dervitte gets a game late this season and maybe gets a good loan move for the start of next season in the Champs before coming to challenge for a 1st team spot.

 

[BoringOldFan]

Cheers for the report BOF. I can't get to reserve games now, so it is good to have you to keep me in touch.

Think the problem is not just that Clive's former stalwarts have moved on (or, in Jamie's case, up); but that the lads who should have followed in their footsteps have not been available for selection. Of the dozen or so lads who have come up from the Academy in the last two seasons I think only Hughton has not had a major injury.

Is Joe Martin looking anything like the prospect he was before injury knocked him back, when we had the 'Pool sniffing round trying to poach him?

Clive Allen had a touch of the Juandes last night. Joe Martin started at left back, then when Mtandari came on for Hutton was moved to left CB. He did well in both positions, certainly better than the 'mare he had at Fulham where he was taken off. Looked fairly composed on the ball and strong in the air. But not a stand-out performance to merit attention from other Prem clubs.

Dervite's recovery continues and he looked very good.

 

[yanno]

Clive Allen had a touch of the Juandes last night. Joe Martin started at left back, then when Mtandari came on for Hutton was moved to left CB. He did well in both positions, certainly better than the 'mare he had at Fulham where he was taken off. Looked fairly composed on the ball and strong in the air. But not a stand-out performance to merit attention from other Prem clubs.

Dervite's recovery continues and he looked very good.

Thanks for the report, BOF, and the pix of a worse-for-wear Paxton! :wink:

As Eddie Bailey said, so many of our good young prospects are coming back from serious injury. You seem to have been particularly impressed by Dervitte, which is good news.

Given the persistent rumours that we're going to sign another CB in summer (eg Jarque or Garay - if Barca haven't already nicked him), I think the CB pecking order is very interesting now. If we did sign Jarque or Garay to slot in when Woody or King visit the physio room, I would imagine either Kaboul or Dawson would be transferred. Dervitte may then have a chance of becoming a first team squad player if his knee has fully recovered.

PS where was Pekhart?

 

[DC_Boy]

great news about Dervite so hope he can recover from that terrible injury and go on to great things

BTW BOF - you and Paxton are legendary (but don't go falling in love - those bears can be heartbreakers :wink:

 

[Evolution]

Cheers for the report BOF, is good to keep up on the reserve action :hump:

 

[stemark44]

The one guy that interests me the most is Dean Parrett as he has been described as a younger version of Gerrard and is someone that was a very expensive buy for one so young!I know you mentioned that he played on the right,is he more a central midfielder,is he quick and does he play with his head up,can he spot a pass?
Sorry for doing your head in BOF but I have'nt seen him and I was just wondering what you thought of him?Will he make it?

 

[guynaisse]

The reserve team is full of young players and their successive defeats against team with older and more experience players show that the team cant stand the full game.
they always start good and cant keep the pace.
Why players mostly on the bench like Taraabt and the likes are not playing ? a game even with the reserve is better than only training.
Plus the fact that keeping losing is not good for the spirit.

 

[BoringOldFan]

The one guy that interests me the most is Dean Parrett as he has been described as a younger version of Gerrard and is someone that was a very expensive buy for one so young!I know you mentioned that he played on the right,is he more a central midfielder,is he quick and does he play with his head up,can he spot a pass?
Sorry for doing your head in BOF but I have'nt seen him and I was just wondering what you thought of him?Will he make it?

#

He really didn't have the opportunity to do much last night, stemark. But when he was on the ball he looked strong, had a couple of tricks and fought for everything. On a couple of occasions he won tackles and got the ball off two players.

I don't think he's started a reserve game yet and is still a teenager, so time to develop.

Guy - you are right. Other teams (Portsmouth and West Ham come to mind) have played up to 5 first team players in their reserves when we've played them. But we don't seem to do that. King and Rocha played 45 minutes against Fulham but if a first team player is out, he usually goes straight back into the main squad without reserve games.

Taarabt and Boateng played in the reserves earlier this season but now seem to have moved on. Obviously it is a decision between Ramos and Clive Allen as to who plays in which team. Perhaps with his new rigorous training, Ramos doesn't think reserve games are needed to keep players fit?