article_snippet.sent: Currently on a high after his stunning equaliser for England against Italy in Turin on Tuesday night, the 23-year-old Tottenham winger has already had more ups and downs than most players experience in the 23-year-old Tottenham winger careers.
article_snippet.sent: And yet... How can a player with Townsend's obvious ability be sent out to nine different clubs on loan by Spurs.
article_snippet.sent: Why has Townsend still not played a full 90 minutes for Townsend club in the Premier League this season?
article_snippet.sent: How come in the autumn it was Townsend rather than Aaron Lennon who was seen as surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane?
article_snippet.sent: Townsend has scored as many goals for England as Townsend has done in the Premier League for Spurs.
article_snippet.sent: – Townsend was comfortable in the television studio as a pundit at last summer's World Cup when an ankle injury ruled Townsend out of Townsend's squad.
article_snippet.sent: Townsend thrived with Harry Redknapp at QPR but it didn't look as if QPR fitted in under Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs.
article_snippet.sent: QPR started the season being used for Capital One Cup and Europa League games rather than the important Premier League stuff.
article_snippet.sent: Even now, if things aren't going well, the chances are Townsend will be sacrificed.
article_snippet.sent: At Old Trafford Townsend was taken off after half an hour when Spurs were being beaten 2-0 by Manchester United.
article_snippet.sent: But Townsend is starting games now ahead of £25million Erik Lamela with another rival, Lennon, loaned out to Everton.
article_snippet.sent: When Hodgson's squad was announced for the recent double-header against Lithuania and Italy, Merson claimed Townsend shouldn't have been included.
article_snippet.sent: The player had scored for The Three Lions against San Marino this season but missed the Slovenia and Scotland games with another ankle injury, another reason for Townsend inconsistency.
article_snippet.sent: Following Townsend equaliser, Townsend tweeted in response: 'Not bad for a player who should be 'nowhere near the squad''.
article_snippet.sent: Townsend looks dejected after Townsend first-half substitution during Tottenham's 2-0 defeat by Manchester United .
article_snippet.sent: The truth is Townsend's style may be best suited to international football which after all is cup knockout when you get to the big tournaments.
article_snippet.sent: Townsend has scored three goals in seven games for England compared with three in 21 Premier League starts for Spurs.
article_snippet.sent: Townsend will have to try to improve on that ratio when Townsend dons Townsend club shirt again at Burnley on Sunday.
article_snippet.sent: In that sense, you can understand why Townsend will continue to pick Townsend regardless of club form.
article_snippet.sent: Tottenham will be hoping that Townsend can replicate Tottenham international form for Tottenham club .
highlights_snippet.sent: But Townsend's club form has been patchy in last two seasons .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Challenge now is for Townsend to replicate international form for Spurs .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: CLICK HERE for the latest Tottenham news .