Nottingham Forest supporters have sent a message to Tottenham over former City Ground loan star Djed Spence.
The wing-back was a key member of Steve Cooper’s squad who won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs last season. Forest were keen to make the temporary move from Middlesbrough permanent, but faced competition from Tottenham Hotspur, with Spurs able to offer the youngster Champions League football.
After weeks of negotiations, Antonio Conte’s side completed the £12.5 million move in July with Spence signing a five-year contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. And with a deal for Spence looking unlikely, Forest instead moved for Liverpool’s Neco Williams.
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Despite being one of the standout players in the Championship last season, Spence has found game time at Tottenham hard to come by this season. The 22-year-old has played just one minute in the Premier League and has been left out of the squad entirely on four occasions.
The other times, Spence has been an unused substitute, including in Saturday’s 3-1 North London Derby loss against Arsenal. The wing-back was left on the bench despite the sending off of Emerson Royal, with Conte instead turning to Matt Doherty to fill the role.
Taking to social media, Forest fans have reacted to Spence’s lack of game time this season, pointing Conte to a certain game last season where the player showed what he could do against Arsenal.
Spence isn't the only one of last season's loanee to struggle for game time after moving to a Premier League club this season. Midfielder James Garner is yet to make his debut for Everton and was again an unused substitute in their 2-1 win over Southampton.
Owen Hughes : Someone needs to free James Garner and Djed Spence.
David : Spence & Garner wasting away on the bench yet again, so sad. #NFFC
Finzoforest : Every day it looks more obvious that Spence made the wrong choice. #nffc
Kieran : Spurs losing, down to 10 men, make 5 substitutes in quick succession and Djed Spence STILL doesn’t get a game. Such a shame, he’d have made a real difference here at #NFFC
Kyle Kirkland : What was the point in #Spurs signing Spence? Putting Matt Doherty on chasing two goals and looking like no minutes again for Djed. He tore #Arsenal a new one last season for #NFFC. Glad they're getting hammered after their treatment of him so far.
TebbsTebbutt : Spurs make 5 subs and Spence still can’t get on. #nffc
Benjamin Webster : 5 spurs substitutions and Djed Spence still can't get on the pitch, MOTM against Martinelli last season, rotting on that bench, sad times #NFFC
Col: January 2022 Djed Spence rips Arsenal a new one in the cup for #NFFC, but sure, play Emerson Royal instead. Genius. #ARSTOT
Did Spence make the right choice in signing for Spurs? Tell us in the comments section
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