Ray Wilkins delivers verdict on Tottenham outcast, states Pochettino must do this
By Dominic Toner
Ray Wilkins believes that Tottenham forward Vincnet Janssen must be given a run in the side to build up his confidence.
The 22-year-old outcast has been on the fringes of the Spurs squad this season following his summer arrival at White Hart Lane.
The Holland international has been unable to adapt to the pace of the Premier League and been restricted to mostly late cameo appearances by Mauricio Pochettino.
He may now be given an opportunity to stake a first-team place after an injury to first-choice striker Harry Kane, who sustained ankle ligament damage against Millwall.
However, attacker Heung-Min Son is set to compete with him for the vacant position and has been the preferred option so far this season.
Sky Sports pundit Wilkins believes that Janssen should be given a run in the starting line-up to give him a chance of rediscovering his best form.
“I thought when Janssen took his goal (against Millwall) it was a fantastic finish, but then he missed one from six yards, an open goal with his head,” Wilkins told the Premier League Daily Show on Sky Sports One. “I thought this young man lacks a bit of confidence.
“When he did score he was absolutely mobbed by his mates and he is a valued members of the squad. He just needs a couple more goals, a couple more games. He’s got to be given a run.”
Spurs cruised past Millwall 6-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals at the weekend and Pochettino turned to Son after Kane’s injury in the opening 10 minutes.
He managed to score an impressive hat-trick to signal a strong message to the manager and he has netted 14 goals across all competitions this season.
Meanwhile, Janssen was introduced to the game in the second-half and he managed his fifth goal of the campaign with a well-placed finish into the bottom corner.
The forward managed to finally break his unwanted record of not scoring from open play, with his previous four goals all coming from the penalty spot.
However, he will now hope the Millwall strike can be the catalyst for him and he can emulate the form he showed last season when he managed 32 goals in 49 appearances for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
In other Tottenham news, N’Golo Kante has sent a message to the club’s supporters.
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