Grant Hall, Alex Pritchard & Ryan Mason - Swindon Town

[Spursidol]

twitter q+a with swindon owner lee power, few interesting answers about pritchard

https://twitter.com/TrustSTFC

TrustSTFC ‏@TrustSTFC 5h Known Tim Sherwood a long long time but no formal link with Spurs

....and about the Spurs relationship

Re Pritchard

TrustSTFC ‏@TrustSTFC Spurs have had a lot of interest in @pritch_93 , Lee thinks he may be off soon #stfc #askLee Will need to replace.

TrustSTFC ‏@TrustSTFC Having got a spare million, thinks @pritch_93 will cost that. If we were in Championship, he'd be a real target for perm move #stfc

So I interpret that as maybe a Championship loan fior Pritchard in January

 

[beats1]

TrustSTFC ‏@TrustSTFC 5h Known Tim Sherwood a long long time but no formal link with Spurs

....and about the Spurs relationship

Re Pritchard

TrustSTFC ‏@TrustSTFC Spurs have had a lot of interest in @pritch_93 , Lee thinks he may be off soon #stfc #askLee Will need to replace.

TrustSTFC ‏@TrustSTFC Having got a spare million, thinks @pritch_93 will cost that. If we were in Championship, he'd be a real target for perm move #stfc

So I interpret that as maybe a Championship loan fior Pritchard in January

Yea pretty much just said on twitter what I stated earlier but he put it in a worse way than I was expecting

He says there is no formal link and has been friends with Tim for a long time hence the loans.

Also he states he agreed 3 loans with us before the transfer embargo and it says to me that we let them have 3 players willing to go hence the fact that the whole U21 was linked with them last season in the days before they settled on Luongo, Parrett and Bryne

 

[IGSpur]

What about the tweet about them gettin AP on a permanent deal for a mil if they get promoted?

Got taken by suprise there, would the club entertain that? It sounded quite confident, do the club not rate him?

I wouldn't sell one of our best prospects without giving him a chance after a good loan spell.

 

[TheAmerican]

Yeah, I was thinking that as well. Hopefully over the next month he continues to perform and I'm sure Championship clubs will come knocking. Should he get a good opportunity for playing time, getting substantial minutes in the 2nd half of the season in the Championship could open up a couple of opportunities for Alex come next season.

I'd love to see him get a season long spell next year at a decent Championship side - one with aspirations of getting into the EPL to set him up for possibly a Premier League loan spell in 2015.

Sheffield Wednesday would be perfect imo, they play a good attacking style and he would surely be ahead of their only other CAM, Maghoma. City have a young player there as well, and he is seeing a lot of game time.

 

[Spursidol]

What about the tweet about them gettin AP on a permanent deal for a mil if they get promoted?

Got taken by suprise there, would the club entertain that? It sounded quite confident, do the club not rate him?

I wouldn't sell one of our best prospects without giving him a chance after a good loan spell.

I read that as saying that IF they wre in the Championship they might have offerred Spurs that, but being in L1 that wouldn't happen.

Not sure Spurs wanmt to actively sell him - but we have one too many AM's already, so chances are that AP will be on loan next season before he can come come back to Spurs to try to get into PL with Spurs.

There are also one or two other prospects coming through behind AP such as Kenneth McEvoy and younger still are Nathan Oduwa and Emanuel Sonupe, all of whom play the AM role in slightly different ways, and I suspect all will be under the microscope in the next couple of years as ro which are the ones which we think will 'make it'.

 

[eddiebailey]

Pritchard needs above all to work on his decision making, which means he needs game time; the level he is playing at is less important than playing regularly. I would be worried about him going to a Championship club just yet; I could see them not having the patience with him and him ending up on the bench.

 

[eddiebailey]

Sheffield Wednesday would be perfect imo, they play a good attacking style and he would surely be ahead of their only other CAM, Maghoma. City have a young player there as well, and he is seeing a lot of game time.

Do Wednesday even have a manager?

 

[Spursidol]

Do Wednesday even have a manager?

Not yet.

Tough place for Pritchard to go though, if the nw manager wanted him, in the relegation zone

 

[IGSpur]

I read that as saying that IF they wre in the Championship they might have offerred Spurs that, but being in L1 that wouldn't happen.

Not sure Spurs wanmt to actively sell him - but we have one too many AM's already, so chances are that AP will be on loan next season before he can come come back to Spurs to try to get into PL with Spurs.

There are also one or two other prospects coming through behind AP such as Kenneth McEvoy and younger still are Nathan Oduwa and Emanuel Sonupe, all of whom play the AM role in slightly different ways, and I suspect all will be under the microscope in the next couple of years as ro which are the ones which we think will 'make it'.

But do you think we would accept had we received an offer from a Champ club for 1m. It's hypothetical but that's what ' Having got a spare million, thinks @pritch_93 will cost that. If we were in Championship, he'd be a real target for perm move #stfc ' sounds like to me.

Agree but I think AP is, relatively speaking, better than the others. I reckon he's better in all areas bar pace than McEvoy as McEvoy is a natural winger. Not going to act like I've seen Sonupe a lot. But out of the 3 other options I like Oduwa next best.

Can't quite place who he reminds me of. Ade/Kanu? Tall, powerful, quick and skillfull. Prob just lacks the natural finish but I think as a package he has a lot about him including confidence.

 

[Spursidol]

But do you think we would accept had we received an offer from a Champ club for 1m. It's hypothetical but that's what ' Having got a spare million, thinks @pritch_93 will cost that. If we were in Championship, he'd be a real target for perm move #stfc ' sounds like to me.

Agree but I think AP is, relatively speaking, better than the others. I reckon he's better in all areas bar pace than McEvoy as McEvoy is a natural winger. Not going to act like I've seen Sonupe a lot. But out of the 3 other options I like Oduwa next best.

Can't quite place who he reminds me of. Ade/Kanu? Tall, powerful, quick and skillfull. Prob just lacks the natural finish but I think as a package he has a lot about him including confidence.

I cannot see us accepting £1m from a championship side from Pritchard, unlss Pritchard was determined to go.

But I'd have said that about Luongo before he went to Swindon too !

AP's greatest strength may be his set pieces from which he is deadly, but he's a pretty good tricky player overall - but small. And AVB seems to like tallish powerful players.....

Nathan Oduwa is almost the opposite in build to AP, looks like a tank even at this age but very sjillful. Long way to go, but he could have a future more in a winger/striker version of an AM. Not sure who he reminds me of - he's built more powerfully than Kanu and faster than Adebayor, but providing he keeps developing he could be a real player (on the other hand some youngsters who are big at 17/18 are seen to have been relying on their size so at an older age when other players catch up on their growth, they come down to earth - don't think Oduwa will but only time will tell).

 

[beats1]

Pritchard needs above all to work on his decision making, which means he needs game time; the level he is playing at is less important than playing regularly. I would be worried about him going to a Championship club just yet; I could see them not having the patience with him and him ending up on the bench.

I disagree, people are putting Pritchard down because he went to League 1 this year. Last season he did very well in his appearances for Peterborough and if anything he was not used by his teammates enough because of the fact they did suit his style of football.

At the beginning of the championship he was more than good enough for the championship and I dont think anything has changed, last season he performed better than Ibe, Powell, Lingard and Keane all are getting game time in the championship at decant clubs and Ibe is actually being linked with Derby.

People keep thinking of youth footballers improvement in a steady linear pace but most highly rated youth players are nothing like that. Remember Oxlade-Chamberlain he went from League 1 to being one of Arsenal's best players in the CL against AC in 6 months. Of course most of the time always turn out like that but in Arsenal's case they can do that because they have the foundations as a club to try that stuff and make it work.

All we have to do is to find him the right club and make sure they play him, alot of clubs have clause to make sure the player plays, apparently Barca put a clause in Deulofeu loan that Everton play a fine for not playing him.

Apparently Derby want Ibe and if they are going to play him, he would be great there as Steve plays the right football and is doing very well with a young squad and I think they may be pushing for a automatic promotion. Also he has been brilliant with Simon Dawkins(who is exactly a youth player)

 

[Spursidol]

SWINDON TOWN v Stevenage: Belford; Barthram, Hall, Ward, McEveley; Luongo, Harley, Mason; Pritchard, N'Guessan, Ajose

Barthram and Luongo ex Spurs whilst Hall, Mason & Pritchard are on loan. There must be a tremendous influence from Spurs style of play at Swindon.

 

[eddiebailey]

I disagree, people are putting Pritchard down because he went to League 1 this year. Last season he did very well in his appearances for Peterborough and if anything he was not used by his teammates enough because of the fact they did suit his style of football.

Not putting him down, but that is precisely problem; if he goes to the Championship he stands a strong risk of being in a team that does not suit his or the Spurs style. For all that Lee Powers denies a formal link, as he is probably obliged to do, Swindon do play in very much the Spurs style. (Was there not a joint training camp in pre-season?)

People keep thinking of youth footballers improvement in a steady linear pace but most highly rated youth players are nothing like that. Remember Oxlade-Chamberlain he went from League 1 to being one of Arsenal's best players in the CL against AC in 6 months. Of course most of the time always turn out like that but in Arsenal's case they can do that because they have the foundations as a club to try that stuff and make it work.

Yes, but Wenger has a record of bring on youth, whereas AVB has not shown much interest. When in recent years we have brought on youngsters, such as Caulker or Townsend, they have had to work their way up through the divisions.

All we have to do is to find him the right club and make sure they play him, alot of clubs have clause to make sure the player plays, apparently Barca put a clause in Deulofeu loan that Everton play a fine for not playing him.

Can't see many championship clubs going for that; for Mason maybe, but not for Pritchard; he is still quite raw, and would likely be the first player to be sacrificed if things got tough, like Luongo last season at Ipswich.

Apparently Derby want Ibe and if they are going to play him, he would be great there as Steve plays the right football and is doing very well with a young squad and I think they may be pushing for a automatic promotion. Also he has been brilliant with Simon Dawkins(who is exactly a youth player)

Not so good with Smith! But Dawkins is pretty much the finished product, which Pritchard isn't; or at least he still has a lot to prove.

It would be nice to see if he could cut it at club like Derby, but most of our loanees have had loans to forget before they got the chance to shine.

 

[eddiebailey]

SWINDON TOWN v Stevenage: Belford; Barthram, Hall, Ward, McEveley; Luongo, Harley, Mason; Pritchard, N'Guessan, Ajose

Barthram and Luongo ex Spurs whilst Hall, Mason & Pritchard are on loan. There must be a tremendous influence from Spurs style of play at Swindon.

Kasim and Byrne on their books as well.

 

[Spursidol]

Kasim and Byrne on their books as well.

Absolutely true, but the Spurs influence hit me when I saw half the team being Spurs players last season

 

[beats1]

Not putting him down, but that is precisely problem; if he goes to the Championship he stands a strong risk of being in a team that does not suit his or the Spurs style. For all that Lee Powers denies a formal link, as he is probably obliged to do, Swindon do play in very much the Spurs style. (Was there not a joint training camp in pre-season?)

There was a joint training camp and while there isnt a formal link, we know that we are helping them

Yes, but Wenger has a record of bring on youth, whereas AVB has not shown much interest. When in recent years we have brought on youngsters, such as Caulker or Townsend, they have had to work their way up through the divisions.

I agree but Im not suggesting that Pritchard should be anywhere near our team and both players you mentioned only get near the team because they put in very good performances for their premier league clubs, Im just saying he should go as high as anyone is willing to take him providing they play the right way but more importantly are going to play him.

Can't see many championship clubs going for that; for Mason maybe, but not for Pritchard; he is still quite raw, and would likely be the first player to be sacrificed if things got tough, like Luongo last season at Ipswich.

I disagree, I think Mason will struggle to get a championship club at the moment and Pritchard wont struggle as much considering he has done well at that level before. Luongo was a strange situation because the squad as Mick and Pleat said was very young and all the youth players went back to their clubs. I think we should be able to get him a decent club, as remember he was one of the best players in the U21 league and now some of the people he was outperforming are playing at a higher level

Not so good with Smith! But Dawkins is pretty much the finished product, which Pritchard isn't - his decision making his very hit and miss.

I agree but I still think the championship is where he should be and as I said before those players worst then him are doing well in the championship

It would be nice to see if he could cut it, but most of our loanees have had loans to forget before they got the chance to shine.

Thing is, he did very well for Peterborough in his cameo's but because of the partnership and probably he is playing in the championship. IMO he is a better player to loan than Kane to the championship

 

[nightgoat]

I went to Brentford v Swindon today, Pritchard, Mason and Hall all started (as well as Byrne, Luongo and Yasser Kasim).

Pritchard was comfortably Swindon's best player and set up their first goal (scored by Mason), and their second came after his shot was deflected into their striker's path. Had a bright start and easily beat his man in the first couple of minutes, then cut in from the right to set up Mason after 10 minutes (although the BBC are crediting the assist to Nicky Ajose). He drifted out of the game a bit as Swindon were mostly playing narrow through the middle, rather than using width - Pritchard was on the right and Mason out of position on the left.

Second half he had a couple of good attempts - one from a free kick which forced a good save from ex-Spurs David Button, and another which won a corner, as well as the one which was deflected and lead to Swindon's second goal. The pitch was soft and slippery, a few players lost their footing (including Brentford's Sam Saunders, who fell flat on his face stepping up to take a free kick. The Swindon fans laughed and jeered at him, so he duly got up and smashed it into the top corner) so it wasn't ideal for his style of play. But he has a confident swagger about his play. Needs to improve his final ball, and he doesn't track back as much as he'd be expected to in the PL.

Mason looks technically sound, his touch and control were excellent and got kicked a few times as a result. He's definitely grown from the waif he was a couple of years ago, although he couldn't exert much influence on the game out of position on the left. One time he did drift in field he scored, and took his goal well. Him and Pritchard linked up well on the few occasions they both came infield.

Hall looked a bit clumsy to me, gave away some silly free kicks and his passing was poor. Although apparently Brentford's club commentary thought he was impressive. Luongo and Kasim were good in CM together and could definitely step up to Championship level. By the end of the game there were 8 current or ex-Spurs players on the pitch, Pritchard, Mason, Hall, Byrne, Luongo, Kasim and Jack Barthram for Swindon, and David Button for Brentford.

I have no idea how Nile Ranger is a professional footballer, though. He was absolutely shocking. Most of the game the Swindon fans were singing "You're just a shit Nile Ranger" at Brentford's Clayton Donaldson. Donaldson is pretty decent at that level, but Ranger was utter gash.

 

[tiger666]

Pritchard scored today

 

[sim0n]

Mark Cooper praised the quality of on-loan midfielder Alex Pritchard after his goal earned Swindon a 1-1 draw at Bradford.

The 20-year-old, who is on a season-long deal at the County Ground club, equalised in the 63rd minute after collecting a ball on the right. He beat five players as he weaved his way through the Bradford defence and scored with a low, left-foot shot just inside the near post.

"It was a brilliant goal," said Cooper. "The boy has got immense talent and we have got him for the season unless someone comes up with money to buy him from Spurs."

http://www.teamtalk.com/swindon-town/9093605/Town-boss-praises-Pritchard

 

[Gbspurs]

Pritchard scored today

Just seen it on SSN. 'twas a beaut.