Spurs loan watch: Championship round up

On Saturday afternoon, Dane Scarlett’s Oxford United and Ashley Phillips’ Stoke City were both in Championship action. Oxford hosted high flying West Bromwich Albion in the early kick off, at the same time Spurs were beating West Ham United, whilst Stoke faced Norwich City at 15:00 BST, with manager Narcis Pelach facing his old club for the first time since leaving to become Stoke’s manager last month.

Despite a superb cameo for England U21s, where he grabbed a goal and assist off the bench, Scarlett was once again on the bench for this one, with Wales international Mark Harris preferred up front instead.

Oxford would find themselves behind for a prolonged period of the game, with Karlan Grant putting the visitors ahead on 29 minutes. After 64 minutes, Scarlett replaced Harris as the U’s looked to salvage their unbeaten home record to start the season.

It would certainly pay off, as two minutes into stoppage time, Scarlett scored his first goal for Oxford, scoring a lovely glancing header into the corner following a cross from the left hand side.  

This goal tops off the perfect week for the young Spurs striker, who as mentioned above, scored his first goal for the England U21s, as well as providing a superb assist for Omari Hutchinson.

It also has continued Oxford’s unbeaten start to the season at the Kassam Stadium, leaving them seventh in the home table, ahead of the likes of Leeds United. In the actual table, this point leaves them in 11th place in the Championship, which is seriously impressive for their first season at the level in a quarter of a century.

Safe to say, it was a much more lowkey day for Phillips. He was again an unused substitute, as Stoke drew 1-1 at home to Norwich. This leaves Stoke in 16th place in the Championship.

Next up for Oxford is a midweek game under the lights as they host fellow newly promoted side Derby County. There is not much more that Scarlett could have done over the last week to get his first Championship start, so let's see if Tuesday can be the day. Kick off is 19:45 BST.

Meanwhile, for Stoke, it is also a game on Tuesday night, as they face Bristol City at home. With another game without a clean sheet, hopefully this can help persuade Pelach to put Phillips into the starting XI for that one. Like with the Oxford game, kick off is 19:45 BST.