Jermaine Jenas singles out Spurs player’s performance in Palace defeat

Former Tottenham star Jermaine Jenas has criticised the performance of Oliver Skipp in midfield during the north Londoners’ poor display against Crystal Palace. 

The 20-year-old had a difficult afternoon in midfield alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Harry Winks, who were overrun all game. 

It was a day to forget for Nuno Espirito Santo, who saw his team’s 100 per cent record in the Premier League come to an end on the first game back from the international break. 

Spurs struggled to conjure up any sort of attacking impetus during the all-London affair at Selhurst Park, with talisman Harry Kane failing to have a single shot on Vincente Guaita’s goal. 

Nuno’s side had difficulty settling into a rhythm from the off in south London with a lot of Spurs’ patterns in possession looking disjointed. 

Although they got into half-time at 0-0, former Spurs man Jenas highlighted Skipp’s performance during the first period as a weak point in what was a flat display. 

Jenas said during BT Sport’s analysis at half-time (via football.london): “I think he’s got to make changes, the diamonds not working.

“They’re getting far too much joy in there, to me Oliver Skipp doesn’t look fit in that midfield, he hasn’t got that bite to his game that he’s usually got.

“He’s not had a kick, more worrying for me the lack of influence he’s had on the team, not seen him scream at the team, not seen him take too many hits.

“He seems pretty subdued maybe it’s just what he’s working with, if Tottenham want anything out the game they need him to come to life.”

Spurs Web Opinion 

Skipp has been given a lot of trust by Nuno so far this season. Starting weekly in the Premier League is a lot of responsibility for a 20-year-old, especially one who has only really broken through for about a year. But he is young and there will be moments like this, so Nuno will need to do his best to help him overcome these hurdles and bounce back. 

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