Johnstone 'head turned' by prospect of Tottenham move after source's update - pundit
Tottenham target Sam Johnstone 'had his head turned' in the summer but his indifferent West Brom form is not because of it, according to Paul Robinson.
The former Tottenham and England number one, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, said the 28-year-old is struggling to hit the heights of last season because he is adapting to Championship football.
Johnstone was caught in no man's land for the goal which handed Stoke City all three points against West Brom on Friday night.
Errors have crept into the England international's game this season.
He has struggled to recreate the form which won him Albion's Player of the Year in May.
Johnstone was the subject of an £11million bid from West Ham in the summer but it was rejected by the Baggies.
Football Insider revealed on September 29th that Tottenham are keeping tabs on the goalkeeper ahead of the January window.
When asked by Football Insider if a failed move was likely the reason for Johnstone's indifferent form, Robinson said:
"His head obviously was turned in the summer. He will have wanted that move but I do not think that is what has affected his performances.
"A player doesn't play six weeks after the window closed thinking about a failed move. It does not affect you like that.
"Johnstone is just suffering from a patch of indifferent form.
"The Championship is very different to playing in the Premier League. It takes time to get used to that again. It is a lot more intense. There are a lot more balls thrown into the box because the football is more direct.
"It is just a case of him adapting to the Championship again. It is a different way of playing."