Tottenham Hotspur loan watch: League One round up

On Saturday afternoon, there was League One action for Josh Keeley, Jamie Donley, and Leyton Orient again Burton Albion, as well as a game for Matthew Craig’s Barnsley against Exeter City. Let’s take a look at how everything went, both individually and collectively.

Taking a look at all things third tier for Tottenham loanees

To begin, Orient were again one of the early kick off’s in League One, having beaten Wigan Athletic 2-0 away from home at the same time last week. Once again, both Keeley and Donley were named in the starting XI by manager Richie Wellens.

Unfortunately, this game did not yield the same success as last week, as the O’s were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against 23RD placed Burton, who are as many as nine points away from being outside of the bottom four.

Still, that makes it three clean sheets in a row for Keeley, who made two saves in this game. Furthermore, he completed six out of seven accurate long balls throughout the game. Meanwhile, Donley played the 90 minutes in the number ten role, as he continues to get more and more minutes in recent weeks.

Individually, this is overall the best position that both players have been in, since they joined the League One outfit in the summer. Both being in a good moment at the same time, is great, too. At first Donley was having a more fruitful loan, before that reversed quickly and significantly, but they are both enjoying extended runs in the team.

Whilst collectively things could be a bit better, it is seven points from their last three games, as well as being in the FA Cup third round, thanks to Keeley’s header – as they face Championship side Derby County at home on the 11th of January.

This draw leaves Orient in 18th place in League One, with 22 points from their 19 games so far.

As for Craig, it was quite the familiar story, as he was yet again an unused sub for Barnsley’s trip down South to Exeter. This role, or lack there of, simply can not continue, and it seems the club agree – as reports surfaced this week of Spurs preparing to recall the midfielder, amid interest from several other EFL clubs.

In the midfielder’s absence, the Tykes pulled off a 2-1 win, and sit 7th in League One, with 30 points from their 20 games.

Next up: a battle against each other. Barnsley host Orient on Saturday. What a shame that Craig is unlikely to play and come up against Donley in direct competition. Nevertheless, a 15:00 GMT kick off for that one.