PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - ANDROS TOWNSEND

Newcastle United are looking to bolster their squad and clinch their third signing of the January transfer window. Andros Townsend, who is out-of-favour at White Hart Lane, is currently in talks over a move to Tyneside. The England international, whose future at Tottenham Hotspur looks bleak after the fall-out with coach Nathan Gardiner, is keen on a switch to the North-East and make that final push for Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 England squad.

Townsend has not kicked a ball competitively for Tottenham since their Europa League defeat to Anderlecht in October. The winger has only made 8 appearances this season, including an appearance for England in their 3-0 win over Lithuania. Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino, recently praised the player’s attitude after being dropped and declared that the 24-year-old has a big future, whether that’ll be at Spurs or another club.

Coming through the youth ranks at Tottenham, Townsend was loaned out 9 times before he made his breakthrough in North-London. His first loan spell came at Yeovil Town, and then was loaned out to Leyton Orient, where he caught the attention of many after picking the ball up from his own-half, skipping passed 4 players, whilst showing great pace and control, he drilled the shot passed the goalkeeper’s right.

However, it was his loan move to QPR where most will remember on how well he played in a struggling side. In a scrappy relegation encounter against Sunderland, Townsend scored a stunning dipping volley, which QPR went on to win 3-1. His contribution wasn’t enough to save the Hoops from the drop, but the impact he made was highly admired.

The following season - due to his impressive performances whilst out on loan - Tottenham opted to give the winger a chance in their first-team. Townsend demonstrated that he could play on either wings, but preferred to operate on the right where he could cut-in and test the goalkeeper from long-range with either foot.

Andros Townsend’s Premier League record:

QPR – Premier League 2012/13:

Appearances: 12

Goals: 2

Chances Created: 15

Assists: 2

Shot Accuracy: 29%

Average Pass Accuracy: 78%

Average Pass Length: 17m

Average Duels Won: 66%

Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League 2013/14:

Appearances: 25

Goals: 1

Chances Created: 26

Assists: 2

Shot Accuracy: 56%

Average Pass Accuracy: 85%

Average Pass Length: 15m

Average Duels Won: 60%

Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League 2014/15:

Appearances: 17

Goals: 2

Chances Created: 13

Assists: 2

Shot Accuracy: 67%

Average Pass Accuracy: 81%

Average Pass Length: 15m

Average Duels Won: 49%

Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League 2015/16:

Appearances: 3

Goals: 0

Chances Created: 2

Assists: 0

Shot Accuracy: 100%

Average Pass Accuracy: 82%

Average Pass Length: 15m

Average Duels Won: 50%

4 Main Strengths:

• Dribbling

• Shooting accuracy

• Both footed

• Pace

4 Main Weaknesses:

• Hold up play

• End product

• Aerial duels

• Inconsistent

Townsend’s international record makes for a decent reading. He has made 10 appearances under Hodgson, scoring 3 goals – clocking up 450 minutes. The Europa League is a competition he is more favoured in: 28 games, scoring 4 and making 9 assists.

Do We Need Him?

With Florian Thauvin seemingly off to Marseille (pending on Townsend deal), Obertan and Marveaux surplus to requirements, I think Townsend would be a welcome addition to Steve McClaren’s side and would considerably improve our options out wide. Rolando Aarons has just recovered from a long-term injury, and it would be wise to ease him back, rather than throwing him in the deep-end. What the 24-year-old will bring is another different dimension going forward. He has exhibited his talents at both club and international level, and would have no issues in fitting into Newcastle’s style of play.

My two main concerns about Townsend are his end product and consistency. Since his inception to the Premier League, the midfielder has only managed to create 6 assists – Moussa Sissoko has so far managed 5 this season alone. In regards to his consistency, Townsend does have a tendency to “go missing” in games. However, he has always been in-and-out of the Tottenham starting line-up, which is ultimately hampering his development. The £14M transfer fee quoted by some quarters of the media seems excessive for a player that has yet to fully establish himself. Nevertheless, due to the current predicament we are in, the signing of Townsend would show good intentions and add much-needed impetus.