Townsend keen to fight for Tottenham spot
Posted Saturday, August 24, 2013 by Foxsports.com
Andros Townsend is determined to stay at Tottenham and fight for a place in Andre Villas-Boas' starting XI.
Townsend produced a stunning man of the match performance in Tbilisi on Thursday night, scoring once and supplying two assists as Tottenham romped to a 5-0 win that all but secures the team's progression to the Europa League group stages.
Ordinarily, such a performance would guarantee a player a starting place in the following game, but even though star winger Gareth Bale is on his way out of Spurs, Townsend still has some very tough competition.
Aaron Lennon, Nacer Chadli and Gylfi Sigurdsson are all fighting for a place on the flanks while Tottenham are also pursuing Willian and Erik Lamela, both of whom can also play on the wing.
But having spent the last four years on loan at no fewer than nine clubs, Townsend does not want to leave White Hart Lane either on a temporary or permanent basis.
"I am 22 - I need to focus and try to make the grade at Tottenham. I wouldn't consider another loan deal," he said.
"I have been at Tottenham since I was eight. I am a Tottenham fan, so my main objective is to try to force my way into the team.
"I know it is difficult - we have got fantastic, world-class players - but my mind is just focused, whenever I get the chance, to just do what I did on Thursday night and try to score goals."
There has been speculation that Townsend could leave Spurs before the window shuts on September 2, but Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas admits the midfielder has a bright future at the club if he continues to play as he did in Georgia.
"At the moment with performances like this we can only be extremely happy with Andros, so now is not a time to speculate," the Portuguese said.
"What we are trying to do is build a strong team with strong players and at this level he is very strong."
Although Townsend will not consider another temporary move, he knows the loan system has played a big part in making him in to the player he is today.
Spurs have let many academy products go after loan spells at Football League clubs, but Townsend is one of the few who took to the top-flight with ease, scoring two goals in 12 impressive appearances for QPR last season.
"For me, that QPR spell was the big turning point in my career," he said.
"I finally got given the chance to play in the Premier League.
"Personally I feel that I did very well and I have just got to take that confidence and experience if I get given the chance this season at Spurs.
"Whoever is here come September 3, I have just got to keep doing what I am doing and try to force my way through."
Last season was not all plain sailing for Townsend, though.
In June the 22-year-old received a four-month suspension - three of which were suspended - because he broke betting rules.
His error also cost him a place in the England squad for the Under-21 Championship in Israel.
Townsend came in for strong criticism following the revelations, but he insists his problems are now a thing of the past.
"I had a rough summer, but I have put that behind me," Townsend said.
"I am now even more determined to have a good season this season and get the doubters off my back."
Villas-Boas has been impressed with how Townsend has responded to the setback.
"Obviously it was a surprise for everybody," the Spurs manager said.
"We spoke briefly to him. The player has now been counselled properly and in the end recognises his mistake and that it should not happen again."
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