It’s only the first week of the new Premier League season, and Jamie O’Hara is already feeling frustrated with Tottenham Hotspur.
Ange Postecoglou’s side had an eventful pre-season, with a mix of results, plenty of goals, and promising performances from several young players. Tottenham’s strong summer transfer window further fueled fans’ excitement for their Premier League opener against Leicester City on Monday night.
Tottenham had reasons to be optimistic, from securing Archie Gray from Leeds United to Dominic Solanke making his debut at the King Power Stadium. However, after 90 minutes, the mood shifted as Jamie Vardy, a former Premier League title winner, helped Leicester secure a 1-1 draw against Spurs.
Many Tottenham players faced criticism for their performances, especially after a dominant first half that gave way to a lackluster second half. In the end, the team was fortunate to escape with a draw.
Usually, at this point in the season, O’Hara is optimistic, often predicting that Spurs will win the Premier League title, spurred on by their strong start. However, this time, he’s not feeling the same enthusiasm and singled out one player in particular who frustrates him more than anyone else.
O’Hara didn’t mince words in his critique of Brennan Johnson, describing him as “so frustrating” to watch due to his lack of quality in the final third. He emphasized that Johnson “needs to hit the ground running” this season, as old problems seem to be resurfacing, according to his comments on talkSPORT.
Brennan Johnson’s performances
“Brennan Johnson, for me, he has to be better,” O’Hara said. “We paid £50 million for him, and he’s the one who winds me up the most.
“Every time he gets the ball, it’s like he forgets how to control it. He is so frustrating. He needs to be better in a Spurs shirt. If you’re going to play right-wing for Spurs, you need to think of all the great right-wingers we’ve had. He needs to step up.
“He’s been here a season, and he needs to hit the ground running. Brennan Johnson needs to be better. He hasn’t been good enough for me—Brennan Johnson needs to give more. His final ball isn’t good enough. The number of times Maddison swept the ball out to him in the first half, and his first touch let him down. He knows it too, because you can see it in his reaction.”
Fellow pundit Jason Cundy told O’Hara that he was being “harsh” on Johnson, reminding him that “you can’t compare him to Jimmy Greaves or Aaron Lennon,” and urged him not to make such comparisons, suggesting that “things can improve.”
Tottenham’s attack
There have been previous suggestions that Johnson may never become a “top player” at Tottenham, as the team’s lack of sharpness in the final third continues to be a concern.
Fans will be hoping that Solanke can bring the cutting edge needed, as he has been brought in as the main goal threat. There’s also captain Son Heung-min, but at 32, the team can’t rely on him forever.
Richarlison was commended for turning down a move to Saudi Arabia, but he too has been part of the problem in the final third, making this season a crucial one for him as well.
