Crewe Alexandra football chief Dario Gradi has likened Tottenham loan signing Lee Barnard to Spurs hero Clive Allen.

Allen made a big impression on Gradi during the Alex technical director's brief time in charge at Crystal Palace in 1981. His prolific scoring later earned him that switch to Spurs.

"Lee reminds me a lot of Clive, who I had at Palace," recalled Gradi. "Clive didn't whack the ball, he placed it. He always knew which spot of the goal he was aiming for.

"This lad does as well. He knows where he is aiming and if he gets in on goal I would expect him to score."