83% duels lost, 50% possession lost, 25 touches: Jamie O’Hara slams frustrating Tottenham ace
Tottenham Hotspur’s recent North London Derby defeat to Arsenal once again highlighted some of the ongoing struggles within the team.
Despite missing key players like Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Ricardo Calafiori, and Mikel Merino, Arsenal still managed to come away with a 1-0 victory, leaving Tottenham to reflect on yet another disappointing derby result.
The match seemed like an opportunity for Spurs to capitalize on Arsenal’s weakened squad, but instead, they found themselves on the losing side, continuing a pattern of recent poor form.
The decisive moment in the match came in the second half when Gabriel Magalhaes scored a powerful header, outmuscling Cristian Romero and giving Arsenal the lead.
Gabriel’s goal left Tottenham reeling, and they were unable to respond, marking back-to-back Premier League defeats for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
The result was especially frustrating considering the expectations that Spurs would capitalize on Arsenal’s missing stars, but they were unable to take advantage of the situation.
Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara took to social media to express his frustration with one specific player—Brennan Johnson.
O’Hara’s comments, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), reflected his disappointment in Johnson’s performance during the derby.
He described the winger as “even more frustrating to watch in the flesh than he is on TV,” a damning assessment of Johnson’s contributions on the day.
Johnson, who was signed for £48 million in the summer, struggled to make an impact, managing just 25 touches and losing five out of six duels before being substituted.
Brennan Johnson’s struggles are becoming a concern for Spurs fans, especially given the high expectations surrounding his arrival.
Last season, Johnson showed promise with five goals and 10 assists in the Premier League, but his performances this term have been inconsistent.
The pressure is mounting on the 23-year-old to deliver, particularly as new arrival Wilson Odobert continues to impress.
Odobert’s presence could put Johnson’s place in the starting lineup at risk, especially if the winger fails to improve his form in the coming matches.
While Johnson’s lackluster performance caught the attention of pundits, it wasn’t the only issue for Tottenham.
As a team, Spurs have struggled to find consistency since the international break. The defeat to Arsenal followed a similar result against Newcastle, meaning Tottenham has now lost two consecutive Premier League matches.
The pressure is growing on Postecoglou to turn things around, especially as Spurs look ahead to crucial upcoming fixtures.
Tottenham’s next few matches offer an opportunity to bounce back, but they won’t be easy. First, they face Coventry City in the Carabao Cup, a competition that offers a chance to build momentum.
Following that, Spurs will take on Ferencvaros in the Europa League, where they will need a strong performance to keep their European campaign on track.
However, perhaps the most important match on the horizon is their Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Brighton, known for their tough, high-pressing style of play, will provide a stern test for Tottenham, and another defeat could see the pressure on Postecoglou intensify further.
For Postecoglou, the task at hand is to get the best out of his squad and address the weaknesses that have been exposed in recent weeks.
One of the key areas he will need to focus on is the team’s attack. Spurs have shown glimpses of attacking prowess, but they have struggled to be clinical in front of goal, particularly in big matches like the North London Derby.
Players like Johnson, who were brought in to provide creativity and goals, will need to step up if Tottenham are to turn their fortunes around.
Another critical area is defense. Cristian Romero, one of Tottenham’s most important players, has come under scrutiny for his performances in recent matches.
In the derby, Romero was overpowered by Gabriel for Arsenal’s goal, and his defensive weaknesses have been highlighted in other games as well.
While Romero remains a key figure in the team, Postecoglou may need to consider making adjustments to strengthen the backline and avoid further costly errors.
As Tottenham looks to move forward from their derby defeat, it’s clear that there is much work to be done.
Postecoglou, now in his second season in charge, is facing one of his biggest challenges yet as he seeks to find a winning formula for his side.
The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining whether Spurs can recover from their recent setbacks or if their struggles will continue.
Failing to secure a victory against Brighton could lead to even greater concern among fans and pundits, particularly if the team continues to underperform in key areas.
For now, Tottenham must regroup, refocus, and ensure that they return to winning ways as soon as possible. Whether Postecoglou will make the necessary changes to his lineup remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the pressure is on, and Spurs cannot afford to let their season slip away at this early stage.
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