This midweek, there were games for three Tottenham Hotspur loanees. On Tuesday evening, Bryan Gil and Girona were in Champions League action away to PSV. Later on, Dane Scarlett and Oxford United were in Championship action at home to Hull City. Finally, on Wednesday, Ashley Phillips and Stoke City were also in Championship action, as they faced Blackburn Rovers on the road.
We start with the most disappointing game of them all. Gil’s Girona side were battered 4-0 by Dutch champions PSV, in a non-contest over in the Netherlands. Girona had been struggling enough, 2-0 down, before a red card for Arnau Martinez made things twice as hard. Gil played 79 minutes, and picked up a yellow card.
This result leaves the Spanish side in 29th place in the league phase, although remain two points off a play-off spot. All ifs and buts, but if they hadn’t conceded in the last minute away to PSG, they would be two points above the French champions. Next up is a La Liga game at Getafe this Sunday, with a 17:30 GMT kick off for that one.
Into the Championship, where Scarlett was in the starting line up for Oxford, having grabbed a goal off the bench in the defeat at home to Swansea City on Saturday. He would not follow it up with another goal here, and was taken off after 71 minutes – he had only registered eight touches and one pass in that time.
On a brighter note, Oxford did get their first win in nine games, with a hard fought 1-0 win. This result means they have leapfrogged their visitors in the league table, and now have 17 points from 14 games. Next up is a trip to Watford on Friday night in their final Championship game before the international break, with a 20:00 GMT kick off.
Finally, on Wednesday night, the best has been saved until last. On his return to his boyhood club, Phillips played the 90 minutes and kept a clean sheet, as Stoke overcame Blackburn with an impressive 2-0 win away from home. The defender recorded; six clearances, three blocked shots, a tackle, six duels won, and 2/3 long balls. He also missed an opta defined “big chance” within the first three minutes.
Win, clean sheet, brilliant individual display – the return home could not have been much better for Phillips. Stoke are up to 14th in the Championship, with 18 points from 14 games – four points off the play-offs. Next up is a home game against Millwall on Saturday, 12:30 GMT.