Tottenham fans will love what happened to Ashley Phillips this week

One on-loan Tottenham man’s wait for his first start under his new manager is now over and he certainly made a case for being a regular in the starting line-up.

Spurs defender has had a season to forget so far

Ashley Phillips was one of Plymouth Argyle’s standout players last season, playing a key role in helping the club secure their Championship status.

When he made the loan move to Stoke in the summer, many at Spurs would have thus expected him to kick on and become a key player for the Potters.

However, instead, the 20-year-old has had a few months to forget, having barely gotten a look-in in the Championship so far this campaign.

Ashley Phillips makes his case to new boss

Phillips made what was just his second league appearance of the season on Saturday at Bramall Lane and his first under new manager Narcis Pelach since he took over last month. Phillips has been made to be patient for that start, but it looks to be the springboard he needed this season.

The Tottenham man played in the centre of a back three, and even though Sheffield United emerged comfortable 2-0 winners, the young centre-back gave a decent account of himself.

Stoke Sentinel handed Phillips a match rating of six out of 10 and wrote about his display: “Gave Stoke a much-needed physical presence on his recall to the side. Made challenges and twice had chances to be on the scoresheet.”

Phillips followed up that first start under his new boss with a second consecutive appearance in the starting XI in the 3-2 defeat to Southampton in the EFL Cup. Despite an exit from the competition, Phillips got on the scoresheet with a lovely finish.

Phillips will be hoping he has turned a corner

The Tottenham youngster will be hoping that he showed enough against the Blades and Southampton to impress Pelach and his coaching staff, and to warrant a few more starts over next few weeks.

With the on-loan Spurs man showing what he can do against Premier League opposition in mid-week, one would expect him to be a permanent fixture in Stoke’s XI for the coming months.

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