“I clearly watch Everything”- Jamie O’Hara says one Tottenham player kept ‘hiding’ from the ball during 1-0 NLD defeat
Tottenham’s display on Sunday was nothing short of disappointing as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against arch-rivals Arsenal in a tightly contested North London derby. Despite Arsenal missing two of their key players, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, Spurs struggled to create any meaningful chances. Ange Postecoglou’s side appeared overwhelmed by the occasion, with several players failing to rise to the challenge.
One player who particularly seemed to wilt under the pressure was Brennan Johnson, who found himself at the center of criticism from former Spurs player Jamie O’Hara. Speaking on talkSPORT the morning after the match, O’Hara, who made 56 appearances for Tottenham, did not hold back in his assessment of Johnson’s performance.
Jamie O’Hara criticizes Brennan Johnson
During his appearance on talkSPORT at 9:08 am on Monday, O’Hara pulled no punches in his criticism of the Welsh winger, accusing him of “hiding” from the ball during the match. “Brennan Johnson. Miles off it, honestly miles off it. Hides, hides behind players. I watched him, I was there yesterday. Hiding. We signed him for £50m,” O’Hara remarked, clearly exasperated with Johnson’s lackluster showing.
While O’Hara is often known for his controversial opinions on talkSPORT and social media, on this occasion, his assessment was hard to dispute. Johnson’s performance against Arsenal was far from convincing, as he struggled to make any significant impact on the game. His inability to provide a consistent threat was evident as he rarely made effective runs behind the Arsenal defense, a trait that fans were hoping to see more of following his summer transfer to Tottenham.
When Johnson did find himself in promising positions, he squandered his opportunities, either blasting the ball high over the crossbar or delivering tame efforts into the waiting hands of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. According to SofaScore, before Postecoglou decided to replace him with Wilson Odobert in the 68th minute, Johnson had a forgettable afternoon. He lost possession three times, managed only one successful dribble, and had just one shot on target, the aforementioned weak attempt that Raya comfortably saved. Additionally, Johnson completed a mere 13 passes, highlighting his overall ineffectiveness throughout the game.
O’Hara’s frustration with Johnson was not limited to his talkSPORT comments. He also expressed his discontent live from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that he was far from satisfied with the forward’s contribution during the game.
Tottenham need more from Brennan Johnson
For a player who cost Tottenham £50m, much more is expected from Johnson. The 23-year-old winger, who joined Spurs from Nottingham Forest in September 2023, has only managed to score five goals in 38 appearances since his arrival in North London. While Johnson was never known for being a prolific goalscorer, his inability to consistently contribute to Tottenham’s attack has become a growing concern.
Johnson’s raw speed and potential should make him a nightmare for defenders, especially with his ability to make runs behind the opposition’s backline. However, for reasons yet unclear, this aspect of his game has not yet flourished at Tottenham. He has struggled to consistently find himself in dangerous areas, and when he does, his finishing has often let him down.
Of course, the responsibility does not solely fall on Johnson’s shoulders. Postecoglou, who oversaw Johnson’s arrival, must also bear some of the burden for his underwhelming performances. The Tottenham boss needs to formulate a clear plan on how to better utilize the young winger’s strengths, especially his pace, to make him more effective in the final third. At the moment, however, it seems Johnson is still trying to find his place in the team, appearing lost and unsure of his role on the pitch.
As Tottenham continues to navigate the season, they will need Johnson to step up and start delivering performances worthy of his hefty price tag. Both the club and the fans will be hoping that the Welshman can turn things around and make a stronger impact in the coming matches, especially with the high expectations placed upon him.