Ricketts faces Spurs axe

14 April 2012

Tottenham's acting manager David Pleat has been more than glowing about the emergence of the club's talented youngsters. But his words must have a hollow ring for one player in particular.

At the start of the season, the arrival in the first team of former Arsenal youth star Rohan Ricketts was greeted with approval by his Spurs team-mates, the fans and even England's No2 Tord Grip, who picked him out as one to watch for the season.

His outstanding form even prompted Spurs to offer the youngster an 18-month extension to his contract. But once this was signed, Ricketts disappeared faster than a Spurs lead, while others such as Dean Marney, Johnnie Jackson and Stephen Kelly came to the fore.

But where has Ricketts gone? The answer is a complex one, depending on who you choose to speak to inside Spurs. There are those who say he has had a dressing-room bust-up with Pleat, but a disagreement would possibly be a better description, while others claim that he simply does not have the consistency required at Premiership level.

Ricketts has not started a firstteam game this year and his last appearance was as a substitute in the 4-3 win over Portsmouth at White Hart Lane in February.

That is surprising when you consider Ricketts has not been injured, Spurs have continued to suffer from a number of injury problems in midfield, and the 21-year-old has been in fine form in the reserves.

It will also surprise fans to learn that in the January transfer window Ricketts was offered to at least three clubs - Nottingham Forest, Leeds and West Ham - as a part of other transfers Spurs were attempting to negotiate.

It is clear Spurs no longer feel Ricketts has a long-term future at White Hart Lane and yet they have not attempted to loan him out to get his wages off the pay-roll. And yet Pleat is understood to be on the brink of recalling the player to first-team duty.

Some might suggest this has more to do with the forthcoming summer transfer window than anything else.

Only last week against Chelsea, Pleat eulogised about the kids coming through the ranks at Spurs, yet Ricketts sat suited and booted behind the substitutes against Chelsea.

"Having home-grown talent coming through gives you a sounder base in the long term," said Pleat.

"It also gives me confidence that when I sign 15 and 16-year-olds, I think I can say to them that they will get a chance at Tottenham and that's very important to me."

Ricketts certainly has a cocky arrogance that may have alienated Pleat. But he has not and will not rock the boat publicly.

The midfielder's official website has been stagnant since February.

Ricketts says: "I'm still working hard and hoping I'll get more opportunities in the first team.

Every player wants to play games but I've just got to bide my time. And when I am called upon to play, I'll be ready.

"I was really flattered to see that Tord Grip rated me as a talented young wide player. It's always nice to get praise from the England camp and that's another reason why I want to play as much as I can - because that's the only way you'll get noticed.

"I was voted Player of the Month on the Spurs website for the first month of the season and that was a great feeling. It was nice to know the fans think highly of me."

Unless Pleat undertakes a major U-turn, it seems the best hope for Ricketts is a place on the bench in tomorrow's clash at Everton.

Spurs hope to have Darren Anderton and Simon Davies fit for the trip, while skipper Jamie Redknapp is doubtful after receiving stitches in a mouth wound sustained against Chelsea.

Everton v Tottenham, 8pm tomorrow, Goodison Park, (live on pay-per-view TV)

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