Tottenham supporters tuning in for a first proper look at Luka Vuskovic last night might have left the screen feeling distinctly hooked. The question...
Tottenham supporters tuning in for a first proper look at Luka Vuskovic last night might have left the screen feeling distinctly hooked. The question hanging in the air after his hour long run out is a simple one: did the teenager bolster his case for a permanent spot in north London From where I was sitting, the answer is a cautious but compelling yes.What strikes you immediately about Vuskovic is the composure. For a player of his age, stepping into a side that often found itself pinned back, there was no panic. He read the danger early, positioning himself to intercept rather than just hack clear. His first touch in tight areas, under pressure from a striker desperate to nick a goal, was clean. He didn't just survive the examination; he passed a few of his own pop quizzes, stepping out of the defensive line with the ball at his feet to launch transitional moves. That rare combination of physical presence and technical security is what makes you think this kid might just have the Premier League in his bones.Of course, we must temper the excitement. This was a forty five minute cameo spliced with another fifteen against a side that eventually parked the bus rather than truly stretching him in wide channels. The real test, the sweaty squeaky bum time of a frantic London derby, is still a world away from the controlled environment of a friendly. Yet the raw materials are undeniably there. He shows a tactical intelligence that suggests he understands when to step and when to hold his position, a discipline often lacking in young defenders who chase the glory of a big tackle.So what can the White Hart Lane faithful truly expect Patience, first and foremost. He is not a finished article being shipped in to solve an immediate crisis. He is an investment, a piece of high end work that needs polishing. But last night's display offered a tantalising glimpse of the finished product. He did not just keep the shirt clean; he wore it with a swagger that belongs on a bigger stage. It was a statement of intent from a young man who clearly believes he belongs in the mix. For Spurs, watching him develop might just be the most exciting part of their long term planning. The hook is in.
