Jamie O’Hara has shared his score prediction prior to the Premier League encounter between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United which takes place later this afternoon.
The former midfielder was not impressed with the performance of his old side during the 2-0 loss against Manchester United at Old Trafford in midweek and suggested that Antonio Conte needs to look to change their style when they come up against the bigger sides in the league, otherwise they will continue to struggle.
O’Hara believes that Tottenham are in for a tough encounter against the Magpies, who are unbeaten in their last six Premier League outings and are only five points behind Conte’s side in the table.
He told Grosvenor Casinos: “Tottenham the other night at Old Trafford were absolutely disgraceful, it was a shocking performance. Manchester United were good but Spurs were so poor.
“If they are not playing well, they should go after teams, make some changes. Antonio Conte, do something different.
“You have got to change it up sometimes because there are too many games where they are playing big teams and are like sitting ducks waiting to get beat.
“Spurs are a good team with top players, but they need to try and dominate possession, and they need to press and get higher up the pitch.
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“This is a big game against Newcastle, this is a huge game, and soon they have Liverpool. It could unravel really quickly. Manchester United have picked up, Newcastle are flying, and Liverpool look to be on their way back up the table.
“Spurs need to seriously reconsider how they play, they look feeble. The big boys are coming for them and they need to be better.
“I like the defensive style, I get it; counter-attacking football works with the Spurs squad, but come on, go and win the ball when it’s there to be won.
“Teams have to press in their own half and then break and not give the opposition a second, otherwise it’s too easy for them to get shots off. United had 28 shots at Old Trafford! And this is a United that is rebuilding, they were there for the taking!
“There’s being defensive and then there is being easy to beat. The top players in the world will put the ball in the net regardless. Don’t make it easy for them!
“Harry Kane will score a penalty in this one, and Spurs will win 2-1, but they’ll have to push Newcastle back because they are flying at the moment.”
SpursWeb Opinion
O’Hara makes a good point about wanting to see Spurs’ players go and win the ball, it was something that cost them dearly at United when Lisandro Martinez’s desire to win a second challenge led to Fred’s opener.
There’s no doubt that Conte prefers a counter-attacking style, but we need to let the handbrake off at times – especially when playing at home.
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