‘Quite disappointed’ – Alfie Devine makes confession about the start to life at Plymouth
Alfie Devine has revealed that he felt he was well short of his best in his first three outings for Plymouth Argyle but admitted that...
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Alfie Devine has revealed that he felt he was well short of his best in his first three outings for Plymouth Argyle but admitted that he felt much better about the display he delivered against Coventry City on Wednesday.
While there are many exciting young players in the Tottenham Under-21 set-up, Devine is the player that many Spurs fans are the most excited about, with the youngster widely seen as a potential first-team prospect (Football.London).
The 19-year-old excelled in Ange Postecoglou‘s system during pre-season and looked too good for League One level during his loan spell at Port Vale in the first half of the campaign.
Tottenham decided to cut short his spell at the club and loaned him out to Plymouth last month so that he could test himself at the Championship.
Unlike, Ashley Phillips, who has hit the ground running since his move to the Home Park Stadium, Devine has had a slightly slower start.
However, the youngster showed what he could do in the clash against Coventry on Wednesday, with the teenager completing all 90 minutes and being one of the most creative players on the pitch.
Speaking after the 2-2 draw, the on-loan Tottenham man told Plymouth Live: “I think the first three games I have been quite disappointed with myself because I know that’s not me. I think today just shows that I’m getting a lot more comfortable in and around the team, and especially on the pitch.
“Once you get the connections and the bonds on the pitch it makes your life a lot easier when you are on there. Obviously, you can’t get that without the players helping you.
“I know Fozzy’s [Ian Foster] system quite well and the way he wants to play, but trying to adapt to a new league and a new position at the same time, I struggled the first three games and I know that. I think today’s performance reassures me a bit that I’m getting used to it and I’m getting a lot more comfortable.”
Alfie Devine and Ashley Phillips continue to get loan experience at Plymouth
Devine also revealed that he has needed to adapt to playing further forward after operating in a slightly deeper midfield role at Port Vale.
When asked about playing as an attacking midfielder again, he responded: “When I went into Port Vale that was what I came in to do. Obviously, throughout the season things happen – players get injured, formations change – and I sort of found myself in that (deeper) role.
“I think that’s why I was a bit frustrated with myself when I came here because I know this is the role I want to play in. I do want to play higher up, and the first three games in my opinion didn’t really show I was capable to do it in this league.
“After today, it reassures me I can do it. Having the other two with me, Morgs in the other 10 and then Ryan up front as well helps me massively.”
Plymouth were once again on the receiving end of a defeat on Saturday when they suffered a home 2-0 loss to promotion chasing Leeds United, who had fellow Spurs loanee Joe Rodon in their defence.
Spurs Web Opinion
Unlike Phillips, who had experienced Championship football at Blackburn, Devine has not tasted competitive action at this level and he was always going to take some time to adjust to the pace and intensity of the division. I would not be surprised if he is dominating matches by the end of the season.
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