‘A formidable prospect’ – Pundit claims Nuno has found deadly duo at Spurs

Noel Whelan has claimed that Nuno Espirito Santo has found the right balance in midfield at Tottenham and raved about the partnership developing between Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Nuno has tried several different midfield combinations in his first few months at Spurs.

The Portuguese coach initially started the campaign with Oliver Skipp as the midfield pivot and with Hojbjerg and Dele Alli given more license to get forward.

However, following three consecutive losses to Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Arsenal, the 47-year-old switched to a 4-2-3-1, with Skipp and Hojbjerg both protecting the back four and Tanguy Ndombele given the freedom to roam.

The formation has worked a treat in Spurs’ last two Premier League games against Aston Villa and Newcastle and seems to have brought the best out of Ndombele.

Whelan believes that the three-man midfield offers Tottenham plenty of balance, particularly with Ndombele also showing a willingness to track back and put a shift in.

The former Leeds United striker told Football Insider: “Right now, Skipp and Hojbjerg are Tottenham’s best midfield pairing.

“They’re working well together. Controlling the game3, speeding it up or slowing it down when they have to.

“That’s what it’s all about when you’ve got two in midfield. Ndombele is tracking back well, doing that dirty work as well as going forward.

“Hojbjerg works tirelessly, breaks up the play. Skipp is nice and calm on the ball, controls the tempo nicely.

“They’ve got a nice blend in that midfield. It’s a formidable prospect when they link up with the attack like on Sunday.”

Spurs Web Opinion

The balance in midfield has been the main difference in our last two Premier League matches. Nuno got it horribly wrong in the North London derby, and to his credit, he has rectified his error. I have been particularly impressed with Skipp, who is getting better and better with each outing.

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