England Under-21 keeper Scott Loach interested in move to Tottenham but wants to help Watford to Premier League (From Watford Observer)

England Under-21 keeper Scott Loach interested in move to Tottenham but wants to help Watford to Premier League

12:10pm Friday 11th December 2009

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By Frank Smith »

Scott Loach has admitted it would be “brilliant” to sign for Tottenham Hotspur as he wants to play in the Premier League but is hoping he can do that with Watford.

Spurs assistant manager Joe Jordan, first team coach Kevin Bond and chief scout Ian Broomfield were understood to have watched the goalkeeper during Monday’s victory over QPR.

The England Under-21 international has been linked with Tottenham for months and Harry Redknapp is believed to be considering a move for the former Lincoln youngster following a serious injury to Carlo Cudicini.

Loach said he would be interested in a move to North London but would not want to go there as a number two.

When asked whether he would prefer to stay at Watford as a number one rather than be a number two at a Premier League club, Loach replied: “Yes definitely. I am playing football week-in-week-out with great lads. I think my time will come eventually, I just have to keep playing.

“If Tottenham were to knock on the door and I was to go there, then brilliant but at the minute it is Malky and Watford.

“I am confident that I will play in the Premier League one day but at the moment, I have to concentrate on getting Watford to the Premier League.”

Loach does not hide his desire to reach England’s top flight and should Watford need to raise money in January, then the 21-year-old is arguably the club's most valuable playing asset.

Loach would consider a move to a Premier League club but claimed he would like to remain at Watford for the rest of this season – hopefully reaching the top flight with the Hornets in the process.

He said: “The Premiership is where I want to be and hopefully I can achieve it and stay here at Watford because I need a full season.

“I have never played from August right through to May and if I can do that [reach the Premier League] at Watford ….. I am sure with the squad we have got, even if we reach the playoffs, I fancy anybody coming to the Vic and playing over two legs.

“No disrespect to anyone but we have shown we can beat teams like QPR.”

“The Premiership is where I want to be. At the moment I am concentrating on playing for Watford. If I can get there playing for Watford then happy days. If somebody comes in, then happy days. It is a win-win situation.

“At the moment I am concentrating playing for Malky and Dyche and Chambo. They have put faith in me and hopefully I can repay them.”

Loach’s desire to succeed is easy to see but he has not forgotten the help he has received from coach Alec Chamberlain and fellow Watford keeper Richard Lee.

“The work I put in here is all down to Alec really,” Loach said.

“I think he has played something like 700 career games, that shows.

“I think I am developing quite fast and that is down to Alec. He brought Ben Foster through and he brought Richard through and I think I have to give big compliments to Rich as well.

“He is one of the best trainers at the club and the best professional I have met, to be honest. Never once has there been any hatred and I think he has liked me more since I’ve been in.

“He has helped me every step of the way so I owe a lot to Rich. People talk about Ben Foster but Rich is a big influence on me.”

Loach is England Under-21’s first choice keeper and played in the final of the European Championships in the summer.

The full England squad have qualified for the World Cup in South Africa next year and the three goalkeeping spots are some of those still realistically up for grabs.

As Under-21 number one, England boss Fabio Capello will be aware of Loach’s performances but although the Watford keeper believes he is ready to be part of the 23-man squad, he insists he isn’t thinking about it.

Loach said: “You never know what can happen in football. Theo Walcott went [to the 2006 World Cup] when nobody had heard of him, that is why you have to keep performing. You don’t think I am going to the World Cup. Obviously I would be surprised but I just have to keep working.

“There are some great goalkeepers in front of me - like David James, Robert Green, Ben Foster and the likes of Joe Hart, who hasn’t been given the chance but I am sure could step up to the plate and would be able to do the job.

“God forbid any injuries to them, I wish them all the best, but I would be ready to go and step in if I need to be a third man and be there.

“To be part of the squad would be unbelievable but to be honest you don’t think about it.

“Capello, is like the Tottenham thing, if it happens, it happens, if not then I am concentrating on playing on this pitch every day and enjoying it.”

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