e-Spurs Loan Watch - Spurs' Next Generation

With the season now well and truly underway, I thought the time was right to check in on our youngsters currently gaining valuable experience out on loan. Within the modern game first team opportunities for young players are becoming a more rare occurrence at many of elite clubs throughout the country. Many people attribute this to a combination of the need for instant success and the fear of young players making mistakes.

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Article by Chris Duncan

Although our club has given chances to many of our academy prospects under firstly Tim Sherwood and now Mauricio Pochettino, some of our youngsters have made temporary switches to other clubs to aid their development.

Below is a report on how our loanees are getting on:

Dominic Ball - Glasgow Rangers

The English under 20 defender joined Scottish Championship side Glasgow Rangers on a season long loan deal in August. Ball, who enjoyed a loan spell with Cambridge United last season, has been used primarily as a squad player for Mark Warburton's league leaders, making six appearances so far.

Although Ball has been used sparingly at Rangers his versatility - Ball can play centre back, full back and defensive midfield - means he is a player that will be used by Warburton. I understand why Ball would choose to join a club the size of Rangers, though I personally feel he would have been better off joining a club in either League One or League Two in England.

Nathan Oduwa - Glasgow Rangers

Following a loan spell at Luton Town last season, Nathan Oduwa joined team-mate Dominic Ball in joining Rangers on a season-long loan in August and has made ten appearances so far. Although he is yet to score for the Scottish giants, Oduwa does have four assists to his name. The wingers trickery and directness has also won his side a fair few penalties. Since his debut against Alloa Athletic Oduwa has been subjected to some rough tackling, which is partly, in my opinion, because he performed a rainbow flick during the match, which was described as disrespectful by an opposition defender.

Unlike Dominic Ball's move to Glasgow, I feel Oduwa will thrive in Scotland and return to Tottenham a better player for the experience. Since his move north of the border the England youth international has been invited to join up with the Nigerian under 23 squad, who Oduwa is eligible to play for through his parents, which shows his performances have not gone unnoticed.

Conor Ogilvie - Stevenage

In August 2015 Conor Ogilvie joined Teddy Sheringham's Stevenage on a one-month loan. Following some early impressive performances his long spell was extended until January. At the time of writing Ogilvie had made six appearances for The Boro scoring once, against Plymouth Argyle.

The loan to Stevenage is Conor Ogilvie's first taste of competitive first team football, so the move can only benefit the young defender who has been capped by England at both under 16 and under 17 level. The fact his loan has been extended signals to me that Sheringham views Ogilvie as a valuable member of his squad and I would not be surprised if his loan was further extended, especially if the he continues performing at the level he has during his short time with the club.

Grant Ward - Rotherham United

I first learnt of Grant Ward during his first loan spell away from Tottenham at MLS side Chicago Fire, where he impressed in twenty-three appearances, scoring once. Following his success in America Ward joined League One side Coventry City in March 2015 and made eleven appearances for the Sky Blues without finding the net. Ward impressed enough during his time at the Ricoh Arena that Coventry manager Tony Mowbray attempted to sign him on another temporary deal. This never materialised and Ward joined Championship side Rotherham United on a six month loan in July 2015. Ward has only made four appearances for The Millers thus far, scoring once.

Loaning versatile midfielder Grant Ward to Rotherham makes sense to me. Having gained valuable experience with both Chicago and then Coventry, I feel it is important Ward makes the next step up. He will get game time and is likely to be handed creative responsibility - Rotherham are likely to struggle in The Championship - and it will be interesting to see how he adapts. If he is successful during his time at the New York Stadium next season could be very big for him.

DeAndre Yedlin - Sunderland

Having signed from MLS side Seattle Sounders following some very impressive performances for the United States during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, things haven't gone quite as planned for Yedlin. Having made only one competitive appearance for us so far - as a substitute against Aston Villa last season - the decision was made to send the American out in loan, joining Premier League rivals Sunderland on transfer deadline day.

Since his move to the Black Cats Yedlin has made five appearances. I have never truly understood our reasons for signing Yedlin. I agree with everyone that he was impressive at the World Cup, but I just don't think he is a Premier League footballer. Of all the payers we currently have out on loan I believe Yedlin to be the player least likely to have a long term future with Tottenham Hotspur.

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