It is now felt as if one Tottenham Hotspur youngster has played far too many minutes during his loan away from the club this season.
It was clearly a strategy of Ange Postecoglou and Daniel Levy to create more opportunities for the club’s young players to play senior football this year.
Alejo Veliz, Ashley Phillips and Alfie Devine all left the club on loan in January, hoping to better their chances of playing in the first team next season.
And whilst Veliz has really struggled for minutes with Sevilla in La Liga, both Phillips and Devine have been afforded chances in the Championship.
The young duo are hoped to be a big part of the club’s future, players Postecoglou will perhaps reassess in pre-season.
And although Devine didn’t enjoy the most successful afternoon for Plymouth Argyle yesterday, having been sent off late on, it was Phillips who local media seemed more concerned about.
Plymouth are locked in a relegation fight in the Championship this season, currently just one point above the drop zone.
And when assessing Phillip’s minutes in yesterday’s loss to Bristol City, Plymouth Live highlighted a worry.
Tottenham youngster Ashley Phillips has been thrown into the deep end during Plymouth loan
The outlet felt as if Phillips had perhaps played too many minutes, a mistake by manager Ian Foster who was sacked this weekend.
The 18-year-old has played 14 matches since arriving as Foster’s first signing in January, and has been thrown straight into the deep end.
Plymouth Live gave Phillips a six out of 10 for his performance and wrote: “The 18-year-old has given it his best since arriving on loan from Tottenham Hotspur as Ian Foster’s first signing in January.
“But it has asked a lot of someone of his age to play so many highly competitive matches in a relatively short period of time.”
And whilst no one is blaming Phillips for recent defeats, nor Foster’s sacking, it seems as if some feel he’s been handed too much responsibility.
Of course, from a Tottenham point of view, they’ll feel as if the youngster is gaining valuable experience out on loan, regardless of how this season ends for Plymouth.
Phillips should return a lot more robust, and will surely be hoping to change Postecoglou’s mind on recruiting another new centre-back.
Alll that being said, Jamie Carragher has shared one real concern he has about Tottenham right now.
The post 'Asking a lot': Local media feel 18-year-old Tottenham man has played way too many minutes on loan this season appeared first on TBR Football.