Sherwood thinks £15m Spurs man was giving the opposite instructions to Mourinho yesterday

Follow us on Google Discover

Tim Sherwood told Premier League Productions during their live coverage of Tottenham’s defeat to Leicester that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was seemingly giving the opposite instructions to Jose Mourinho on Sunday.

In the first half, Sherwood felt that Hojbjerg was telling Serge Reguilon and Heung-Min Son, who were sitting deep inside their own half, to ‘run in’ the space behind Leicester’s defence, but he’s ‘not sure’ Mourinho wants that.

Tottenham have been outstanding for large parts of the season, but back-to-back defeats have perhaps proven that they are still some way off in winning the title this season.

Sherwood commented on Tottenham’s tactics against Leicester and how they weren’t attacking the space behind the opposition’s defence.

“They are pinning Tottenham back,” said Sherwood. “They are keeping bodies up the field all the time.

“Not that Tottenham want to throw Serge Aurier and Reguilon forward. They are not happy not to. It’s quite evident that. But they are picking up the second balls [Leicester]. When they are pushing back [Spurs], they are in the final third.

“Hojbjerg picks up the ball and he’s looking for someone to make a run. They are a little high here [Spurs]. There is space [to run into]. Son comes short [inside his own half]. Reguilon comes short.

“You see Hojbjerg telling him ‘run in there’. But I am not too sure if Jose Mourinho wants him to run in there.”

Whilst questions will be asked about Tottenham’s lack of threat going forward, they didn’t have that aggression or combative nature to their game on Sunday.

Hojbjerg, who moved to the club in the summer from Southampton for £15 million [Sky Sports], has epitomised that attitude, but it wasn’t on show for large parts against Brendan Rodgers side.

The reaction the Spurs players show during this festive period is now very crucial because if they respond well then it will bode well for their title chances going forward.