Pundit thinks Spurs star has now become ‘a problem’ for Ange Postecoglou 

Jamie O’Hara is exasperated with Cristian Romero’s lack of discipline, suggesting that the Argentine will never change his tendency to make dangerous challenges.

Romero only recently returned from a three-game suspension after receiving a red card for his tackle on Enzo Fernandez last month but in what was just his second game back, the centre-back almost repeated the mistake.

With Spurs cruising to a win against Newcastle, the 25-year-old put in a nasty challenge on Callum Wilson in the 80th minute, with his studs catching the Magpies striker in the ankle.

Thankfully for Tottenham and the defender, Referee Chris Kavanagh decided to brandish a yellow card instead of a red.

Several pundits, including the likes of Gary Neville, Michael Dawson and Jamie Redknapp have opined that Romero was lucky to not get sent off, with the latter even questioning the example the Argentine is setting to the younger players as vice-captain of the club (Sky Sports via The Mirror).

O’Hara expects repeat offence from Cristian Romero

O’Hara does not believe that Romero has it in him to change his ways, remarking that the centre-back is becoming a problem for Ange Postecoglou.

The former Spurs midfielder told talkSPORT (12 December, 9.40 am) about the tackle: “I just don’t understand what goes through his head, he’s a fantastic player, world-class player.

“And I know he plays on the edge, there are players who play on the edge all the time. You’ve just come back from a three-game suspension.

“If he gets sent off he gets four games, so I just think he needs to learn to be able to [stop] but I just don’t think he can. I think it’s just in him as a player and the way he tackles is so aggressive.

“He is a problem for us but the players back him and he does play on the edge and he is brilliant when he’s on the pitch. The problem is he doesn’t spend enough time on it.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I have no doubt that Postescoglou or one of his assistants would discuss the tackle with Romero and convey to him that he was lucky to escape without more stringent punishment. Whether that has the desired effect on the 25-year-old remains to be seen.