Townsend success has Spurs in credit

ANDROS TOWNSEND, Tottenham and England. Sounds good doesn't it - but how much credit do Spurs deserve for his recent rise to prominence?

Many will argue that it is in spite of Spurs that the flying winger has finally hammered down the first-team door and swiftly gained an England call-up.

Townsend was sent out on loan nine times on his search for a starting place at White Hart Lane.

And, to some, that indicates a lack of faith in his ability and an unwillingness to give him a chance - until Townsend's form gave manager AVB no choice.

But look more closely, and it begins to look like sensible man-management - verging even on genius.

Spurs have long seen the value of the loan market. So much so that, in 2009, they announced their withdrawal from the reserves league.

This meant that promising young players would get first-team football in competitive environments. 

The club could also tailor the loan to suit the player, ensuring the style of the club they arrived at would benefit their development.

It also meant we no longer had to maintain - and pay for - a full second-string squad of players, many of whom have no chance of succeeding at Spurs. 

Townsend started with League One spells at Yeovil, Leyton Orient and MK Dons in 2009-10.

Progressing to Championship level, he went to Ipswich, Watford, Millwall , Leeds and Birmingham before Harry Redknapp have him his first Premier League stint at QPR last season.

It's a gradual progression over which the club has control and the result is that Townsend finally arrived back here ready for the first team and with a wealth of experience under his belt.

And Townsend is not the only beneficiary of this coaching technique, Harry Kane and Tom Carroll share seven loan spells between them and both are already well-established at Under-21 level. 

As far as credit goes, you only have to see Andros' attitude towards Spurs to see that he does not feel hard done-by at the club.

He previously said: "I have been at this club since I was eight and I am a Tottenham fan, so my main objective is to try and force my way into the team."

Add to that the fact the 22-year-old has just penned a new four-year deal and it is easy to see that Spurs are very much doing something right.