Dane's woe shows loans are a gamble

UPON seeing Dane Scarlett recalled from a disastrous loan at Ipswich Town, Blues manager Kieran McKenna diplomatically explained that Son Heung-min’s participation in the Asian Cup meant Tottenham required cover in forward areas.

- Chris Dunlavy

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, in characteristically candid fashion, felt no such compulsion to sugar-coat the situation.

“The reason we sent Dane on loan was to get some gametime, rhythm and develop,” said the Aussie. “It hasn’t worked out that way, so we brought him back.”

It certainly hasn’t. Scarlett, 19, is heading down the A12 having played a grand total of 158 minutes in five months at Portman Road. The England Under-21 striker didn’t score a goal, which is not particularly surprising given that the longest he spent on the pitch in any single game was 21 minutes.

Development coaches urge players to take what they can from any situation, and Scarlett’s bench-warming spell in Suffolk will be dressed up as a valuable lesson in dealing with frustration.

Make no mistake, though - if the clock could be turned back to deadline day, there is no way the deal would be struck. It was a waste of time for all concerned, not least Ipswich, who may now find Spurs rather less eager to send their hot prospects to Portman Road.