Winks has ‘massive issue’ at Tottenham after confession – ex-manager
Alex McLeish has insisted Harry Winks has a “massive issue” at Tottenham after admitting he lacks self-belief.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted the 25-year-old has gone from looking like a “world-beater” to a fringe figure at Spurs.
As quoted by the Times (22nd October), Winks confessed his “confidence is low” after struggling for game time this season.
He admitted he wants to play “regular football” but admitted he needs to improve to stake a claim for a starting role.
The midfielder has made just one start in two league appearances this season, although he has featured in the cup competitions.
McLeish insisted Winks’ lack of self-belief is the reason behind his average performances this term.
He suggested the England international would be “overthinking” and “trying too hard” when out on the pitch.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “A couple of years ago he was a looking like a world-beater.
“Confidence is a massive issue in football. When you’re looking at a possible world-class player, or international class player – let’s not go too far – then all of a sudden you say what’s happened?
“It’s confidence. I’m sure it’s confidence. For me, confidence, back in the day, was the thing that I had to grapple with when I did lose my form.
“I thought: ‘What am I doing wrong?’ You overthink it, you try too hard when you get on the pitch. That makes it worse.
“That’s where I think Winks is at at the moment.”
Winks has played just six times under Nuno Espirito Santo so far.
He was left out of the squad to face Burnley in the League Cup.
In other news, Tottenham tipped to sell senior star and “make waves” in January as Levy U-turn reported.