Speaking on the Spurs Versus podcast, Tottenham legend Graham Roberts has laid into both Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, criticising both players’ performances against Arsenal.
Spurs lost 2-1 to Arsenal at the weekend, and if we’re being brutally honest, it was an incredibly flat performance from the north London outfit.
Indeed, Spurs failed to really get a foothold in the game, and Roberts believe that the blame should fall at the feet of their midfield pairing.
“At least he (Lamela) put his foot in and tried to have a go. Hojbjerg, I’ve rated him this season. I think he’s been very very good, but he didn’t make one tackle,” Roberts said.
“Ndombele, he just ran around in circles, you’re thinking this is a north London Derby, roll your sleeves up, make a tackle and get the energy going, because that’s what it needed, it needed somebody to ignite the players, and it never happened.”
It’s a bit of a harsh summary, but it’s hard to disagree with what Roberts has said here.
Tottenham’s midfield was way too much of a non-factor against Arsenal at the weekend, and that’s why they struggled to stop the Gunners’ attacks, while also making very little happen.
Ndombele and Hojbjerg have been brilliant at times this term, but they vanished against Arsenal, and you can understand why Roberts is frustrated by what he saw from them.
Hopefully, the pair step things up in the coming weeks.
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