Monday, March 9, 2009

What Young Player Will Earn His Spurs?

As the season begins to wind down and though most of us are still holding our breath about where we sit in the League table, the future looks brighter than it did a month ago for sure. As the papers begin to ramp up who we will buy and sell, I have a new question to bring to the table, who among the youth players is going to work his way into the first-team in over the summer? We have a great youth team, and the U-18's have been playing very well this season, and though they might be a little too green to come into the team, there surely will be one player that will start to make an impact next season.

My best bet would be John Obika. Yes, he is very young. But after watching his performance against Shakhtar Donetsk, a team that was in the Champions' League and beat Barcelona, he certainly held his own. Yes, they were just starting their season, but Obika was powerful, held the ball up well, and created some chances and had two near misses. His play for the U-18's has been lauded all season, and his work when with the reserves has been promising as well. People might say he is young, but he is a big lad, and given a chance in the team, especially in something like the Carling Cup would allow him to settle, I could certainly see him combing with Robbie Keane or Defoe.

Another option would be Dean Parrett. He also looked good against Shakhtar, and is young and good in possession, but has a lot in his way in terms of pecking order. I would expect to see him go out on loan next year. I think both he and John Bostock have bright futures at the club, but need a little more seasoning.

Danny Rose is another player that the club has high hopes for, and as an attacking midfielder is always seen as a positive. If he can play out wide he could certainly start to make his mark in the next year, though another loan would make sense for the former Leeds starlet.

The player that for me is most likely to feature on a somewhat regular basis for the club after Obika is Doran Dervite, who is currently on-loan at Southend United. He's a strong central defender who seems to be doing well out on loan. He is someone that both Woody & King could take under their wing and mentor, and he would be excellent cover in the back. Calem Butcher is another player in this mold, but I think he is another two to three years away at only 17.

We have several players coming through the ranks, and the cupboard is certainly not bare for the club, though I have no doubt we'll still be buying in the transfer window. Who do you think will make that jump to the first-team over the next year?

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