OK, let’s get this out of the way first since I somehow managed to NOT make the most obvious joke-reference the last time I talked about Ash Phillips: I guess we’re going to find out if he can do it on a cold, wet Tuesday in Stoke.

As expected, Tottenham Hotspur have completed an agreement with Championship side Stoke City to send young central defender Phillips, 19, to his second straight loan to the English second division.

Phillips had a fantastic loan with a very bad Plymouth Argyle side last season, where he helped keep them from relegation and was named Argyle’s Young Player of the Season. This time he’s staying in the same division, but with a (slightly) better team — Stoke isn’t very good, but that probably just means that he’ll be able to get a lot of minutes, and that’s exactly what he needs right now.

I know some fans are side-eying this loan because it leaves Tottenham (at present) light in defensive cover, but central defenders typically don’t hit their peak until at least their mid-20s. Ash has got plenty of time to learn his craft and get better. Maybe he becomes a Tottenham regular in a couple of years, maybe he doesn’t. But sending him out to get regular playing time is better than him sitting on Spurs’ bench at age 19, so I’m all for this.

Good luck, Ash! Go lock down that position, and for god’s sake don’t forget to pack your umbrella, you’ll need it.