Andros Townsend Embodies Hit-and-Miss Tottenham Attack on Return to QPR

Andros Townsend's performance in Tottenham Hotspur's 2-1 win at Queens Park Rangers embodied a hit-and-miss afternoon for his side's attack.

Two seasons on from his name-making, reputation-enhancing loan spell at Loftus Road, Townsend's own progress since he lit up that doomed relegation campaign was in evidence. But there were also sloppy, or at least rushed, individual contributions that demonstrated where the 23-year-old can still improve as he seeks to become a Tottenham regular.

Townsend bounced back from the disappointment of Capital One Cup final defeat (in which he, like his team-mates, was virtually nullified by Chelsea's dominant defence) with a superb goal in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Swansea City. Naturally, the winger was keen to return to the place he proved his Premier League credentials.

"QPR took a chance on me when no one else would and I’m extremely grateful for that," Townsend reiterated to the London Evening Standard's Tom Collomosse this week. Back at Tottenham the following summer, he earned his chance in the first team, and soon after that an England call-up.

That bright start to 2013-14 gave way as opponents caught on to his shtick, exposing limitations in his developing game which pace alone could not cover for. Chiefly a somewhat one-dimensional tendency to head directly toward goal (which he stated to The Observer's Paul Wilson as being encouraged by then-manager Andre Villas-Boas). Injuries then denied him the chance to rectify things, and in the process derailed his chance at playing in the World Cup.

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The player who turned up in west London on Saturday has worked hard to improve his lot at White Hart Lane. Compared to even a year ago, he is a more well-rounded player.

Like fellow academy product and star man of the moment Harry Kane—scorer of Spurs' two goals against QPR—Townsend was not a starter in the Premier League earlier this season.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has obviously been sufficiently impressed with Townsend's performances over the winter, though. He was chosen over Erik Lamela and Mousa Dembele to start last week's Wembley date. Since then, he has kept his place.

The first-half against QPR—heck, the first 10 minutes even—showed why the prospect of a flying Townsend so appeals to his boss. 

Without a competitive road win against the Hoops since September 1995, Spurs initially looked stumped as to how to progress against Chris Ramsey's side. There is a tight feel to playing at Loftus Road exacerbated by stands even closer to the pitch than at White Hart Lane.

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Kane bustled without joy while Christian Eriksen patiently but fruitlessly looked for openings. It was only Townsend who really stretched the home team or looked like getting behind them early on.

A third minute pass high up the right flank to Kane did not come off. The wide-man did win a corner soon after when he tackled Yun Suk-young, raced 70 yards and won a corner off the South Korean.

Threatening as Townsend was down his side, he was also culpable in their missteps; ones which might have been punished had QPR taken first-half chances presented to Charlie Austin, Matt Phillips and Bobby Zamora.

One pass to Nacer Chadli was a little optimistic but unlucky. Three minutes later, though, the England international wasted a great counter-attack opportunity when he overhit an awful pass to his left.

From there, Townsend continued to display the quality which makes him such a thrilling option. But also the sloppier, head-rush moments which provide fuel for critics.

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The former was there in the enticing free-kick delivery headed in by Kane to give Spurs the lead. Indeed, combinations with his long-time team-mate were among Townsend's more well-judged offerings.

The latter was seen in less than stringent guard duty in front of his own area, a neglect which Sandro almost took advantage of in the first-half. As well as a sliced post-interval shooting opportunity after he opted against passing after he made an interception.

Pochettino replaced Townsend with Mousa Dembele shortly after the hour mark.

The game had opened up after the first goal. Dembele's introduction brought about an extra calm in possession which partly led to Kane's second. A superb finish in itself after he determinedly latched onto Ryan Mason's chipped ball over the QPR defence.

Despite former Spurs man Sandro (well received by the away fans) pulling one back, Spurs held on to secure three points which moves them up to sixth in the Premier League table.

The north London club's rearguard work was patchy at best and aided by several refereeing decisions going their way. But for them winning the free-kick from which Townsend teed up Kane, their offensive issues might have ended up more scrutinised, too.

As it was, they did enough thanks to attacking work which might yet fire them into the Champions League places come May (see the above statistic).

Townsend has been a big part of that of late. On the ground where he began to more fully realise his potential two years ago, we saw why he should still be for the season's remainder. But also why the only way to guarantee it will be with finding more consistency to his game.

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