Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

Spurs hope their 'Special Relationship' with San Jose Earthquakes will pay dividends again as they look to loan John Bostock to the MLS side.

Bostock may not yet know the works to the Dionne Warwick classic, but at 21, he is hardly a seasoned pro and the fact that he has only figured in 39 senior games since first making his debut for Crystal Palace, should add to the evidence that this is a player that Spurs might be foolish to just dump on the football scrapheap, because he has yet to come close to fulfilling his early promise, but in what appears to be a new way of thinking from the Development coaches to loan technical players abroad as opposed to the rigours of lower league domestic football, about to be the saving grace of John Bostock or at least a visit to the last chance saloon?

It is believed that Tim Sherwood was instrumental in saving the Spurs career of Simon Dawkins and his recommendation that he have a spell playing in the MLS to prove his fitness and quality. Is the same thinking being used for Bostock, who is a player of supreme technical ability, but one that has struggled to establish himself in the lower leagues and seems to have lost his way in the game. Yet again this season I have got the impression that John has not been given a settled role in the Swindon team. He was initially used just behind the one striker, before they reverted to playing two out and out strikers, meaning Bostock was either on the bench or played deeper or wider. Never getting an opportunity to gain confidence or build up a head of steam from a run of games.

San Jose were frustrated at losing out of signing Dawkins once again, however, is the possible addition of Bostock a very nice replacement. I have felt for some time that both injuries and maybe a lack of playing time and in a secure role has caused John to stagnate. Forget the talk of a bad attitude, as that is something that has haunted him since he left Brentford as a seventeen year old, and perhaps he was trying to me a man before his time and ruffled a few feathers? Paolo Di Canio has had the player on loan twice and was more than happy with his contribution. Perhaps a case of differing personalities or simply a young man maturing.

I know there has been talk of loaning John to the US for some time and I think this could be an inspired move for player and both clubs. Bostock may never achieve the level that was expected of him, but to have a chance he has to be allowed to play week in week out and to have a settled role and feeling of belonging. This move may well be the last we ever see of Bostock in a Spurs shirt, however, it might just be the makings of him and I for one, sincerely hope he comes back as a player we can happily see in our first team squad...

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