Jamie Donley has admitted that he cannot let his standards drop in training as Ange Postecoglou sees every single thing that the players do in each session.
Postecoglou has evidently been impressed with Donley, with the midfielder now regularly training with the first-team at Tottenham.
The Australian has primarily used the 19-year-old as a number ten in his four senior appearances and while the teenager is an attacking midfielder by trade, he has operated further forward on a number of occasions for the Under-21s this season.
One can understand why Wayne Burnett has played Donley closer to goal, with the youngster having scored six times and registered 12 assists across all competitions for the Under-21s this season (Transfermarkt).
When asked what his favourite position is, the Tottenham academy graduate told Football.London: “I might end up playing at centre-back, who knows! I like to play in midfield, I can get more involved and I can play passes through to the likes of Will Lankshear. I like to play in midfield but we’ll see.”
Postecoglou runs a tight ship at Tottenham
Donley admitted that he cannot afford to rest on his laurels as Postecoglou is quite demanding of his players in training.
When asked about working with the Australian, he responded: “He speaks very well. He maybe doesn’t say as much on the training pitch but he says that he sees everything so I’ve got to be on it every day if I’m training over there.
“I need to make sure I don’t take any day for granted. Hopefully [being brought on late] shows that he can trust me. It’s amazing. It’s such a good experience.”
Donley does not know what the future holds for him and is more focused on continuing to make the most of each opportunity that comes his way.
When asked about potentially going on loan in the summer, he said: “I take each day as it comes. I haven’t got that far yet to know whether the first team want me or they want me to go out on loan. I’ll just take it day by day and keep trying to do my best.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I think Donley is certain to be loaned out ahead of the start of next season as the youngster needs regular competitive football to step up his development.
Spurs will have to be careful to ensure that they send him to a side where he will actually play, as they have done with the likes of Ashley Phillips and Alfie Devine.