It is often not the easiest of propositions for young players from top clubs to those lower down the footballing pyramid on loan.
The facilities at teams in the third and fourth-tiers of English football is usually a world away from what youngsters are used to at top academies like Tottenham’s.
However, it can often be an invaluable experience for players to experience the realities of lower league football at a young age, as it as turned out for the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli.
George Marsh, who is on loan at Leyton Orient has admitted that his loan spell has taught him a lot about the physical aspects of the game.
Speaking to Tottenham’s official website, the Spurs academy graduate said: “I’ve really enjoyed my first year in senior football,”
“It took a little bit of adaptation to start off with, but I don’t feel like it took me long to settle in.
“For me, I’ve really learned this year how to adjust because quite a big element of the football in League Two is the physical part, so I’ve had to learn how to adapt my game to meet the demands of how physical it is.”
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The 21-year-old, who made his senior debut for Spurs in a FA Cup tie against Tranmere Rovers in January of last year, has clocked up 29 appearances for Orient since making the loan move to the League Two side last summer (transfermarkt.com).
While the youngster has admitted that the schedule has been quite demanding, he believes he is better for the experience.
Marsh added: “Having to play a lot of weeks on a Tuesday night and then another game on a Saturday is very demanding so you have to make sure you’re always recovering properly, so you know by the Saturday you’re 100 per cent ready to go again for another 90 minutes.
“It’s been good gaining experience from a lot of experienced players as well, top professionals who have played lots of games in the Football League. I’m really thankful to everyone at the club for everything they’ve done for me.”
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I had high hopes for Marsh until a couple of years ago given his competency in both the defensive midfield role as well in the backline. Pochettino looked to be a fan of the 21-year-old’s versatility. However, he has gone backwards in the last year or so and I don’t really believe he has made enough of an impact at Orient to have a future at Spurs.
The likes of Oliver Skipp, Harvey White and Japhet Tanganga have moved ahead of him in the pecking order, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Marsh is sold when the transfer window opens.
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