Spurs loan watch: Productive evening in Belgium

On Friday night, there was Belgian Pro League action for Luka Vuskovic, Alfie Devine, and KVC Westerlo, as they hosted FCV Dender.

For this game, manager Timmy Simons reverted back from the recent 3412 set up that he had been using recently, and opted with a 433 set up. Vuskovic played as the left sided central defender in a two, whilst Devine was tasked with holding down the midfield, meaning he has now been played as a 'ten', 'eight', and a six in his time there so far.

It would be the perfect evening, with three points and a clean sheet for Westerlo, as they ran out 2-0 winners. Vuskovic played the whole game, whilst Devine was replaced in stoppage time. Another game with good minutes for both.

In his 90 minutes on the pitch, Vuskovic recorded; five clearances, one interception, 57 touches, 3/5 long balls completed, zero times dribbled past, 1/1 ground duels won, 5/8 aerial duels won, and a shot off target - to go along with the clean sheet.

As for Devine, he recorded; 40 touches, two chances created, one shot on target, 4/6 total duels won, one foul drawn, one interception, one tackle, and zero times dribbled past.

It has been two really good loan spells for both Vuskovic and Devine so far. They are getting consistent minutes, are both playing pretty well - and Westerlo are having a fairly good campaign so far this season.

It will be interesting to see what happens with both players at the end of the season. By next summer, Vuskovic will be allowed to join up with Spurs - will we see him be a part of the first team? The injury to Micky van de Ven has lead to fans, understandably, bemoaning the lack of left sided central defensive cover.

Whilst the Croatian teenager is right-footed, he has played as a left sided central defender this year, both in a back three and in a flat back four. It could help the club use the funds in other areas of the squad. If he does get loaned out, for the first time with Spurs as the parent club - you would be pretty confident it would be a club to in the top five leagues - and maybe the Premier League.

Of course, there is no rush. We sometimes forget just how young 17 is to be a professional footballer. His development has just been so fast that we could see him involved as early as next season. As for Devine, he is three years older than Vuskovic, so there is perhaps a greater need for him to know exactly what is going on for himself.

It was only 12 months ago that he was playing for Port Vale in League One, his development has been very fast in that time. Still, the midfielder will have two years on his Spurs deal from next summer, so there is no absolutely immediate decision that needs to be made.

Anyway, this win leaves Westerlo sixth in the Belgian Pro League, though teams do have games in hand. Next up is a game away to Charleroi in the league, next Saturday - with a kick off time of 19:45 GMT.