Robinson ‘feels sorry for’ Hojbjerg after embarrassing Tottenham reveal
Paul Robinson “felt sorry” for Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the North London derby.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Lilywhites number one claimed the 25-year-old was “overrun” in the midfield, especially when Tanguy Ndombele was replaced by Dele Alli on the hour mark.
Hojbjerg produced an uncharacteristically poor display on Sunday, as Jose Mourinho’s side lost ground on four-placed Chelsea with a 2-1 loss at the Emirates.
He won just 33 per cent of his duels against Mikel Arteta’s side – his worst statistical showing in that respect all season. (Wyscout)
A £15million summer signing from Southampton, Hojbjerg has been one of Tottenham’s standout performers this season and ever-present in the Premier League.
When asked for his assessment of the Denmark international’s performance, Robinson told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs: “I felt sorry for Hojbjerg.
“He was overrun in there, Arsenal flooded the midfield and that is where they looked their strongest yesterday.
“With Ndombele coming off and Dele Alli coming on it only heightened the problem. Hojbjerg was the only sitter and it was a difficult afternoon for him.
“Yesterday Spurs sat in and looked as if they wanted to play on the counter attack. It surprised me because when you look at the lineup of Gareth Bale, Lucas Moura, Son Heung-min, Harry Kane and Ndombele with Hojbjerg sitting, you expected Spurs to go after them. The game plan was quite the opposite though.”
In other news, Robinson fumes at what he saw from ‘arrogant’ Michael Oliver in Tottenham defeat at Arsenal.