Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara believes Tottenham’s recent upturn in form is down to James Maddison’s return to the starting XI.
Since returning from his ACL injury at the back end of last season, James Maddison has struggled to string together a run in the Tottenham Hotspur team, with several minor knocks keeping him out of the starting XI.
This season alone, the Englishman has missed a frustrating 18 days through injury, limiting him to just two starts all season. In one of those starts, the 29-year-old barely made it past half-time, coming off in the 51st minute of the clash against Chelsea.
Regardless, Maddison’s quality is clear for all to see, as in his first start in more than a year, the Englishman scored the goal that set Tottenham on their way to their first win of the season against Coventry City.
Clearly, if Tottenham can keep him fit, he is sure to be a game-changer, and that is something Jamie O’Hara is convinced about.
Jamie O’Hara credits James Maddison for Tottenham’s upturn in form
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Spurs midfielder was asked whether Tottenham’s recent upturn in form in the Premier League is down to the new signings gelling and getting to know each other, but he did not agree with that notion.
Instead, he believes the upturn in form is simply down to the return of Maddison.
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He said: “I think it’s more to do with getting James Maddison back fit. I think Maddison coming back fit and getting involved, and actually being fit and starting a couple of games, made a huge difference.”
O’Hara believes the Englishman’s return has felt more like a new signing, adding: “It felt like a new signing, having him back. And the problem with Maddison is obviously keeping him fit, you know? And we need to get him on the pitch more. You need to be able to get 90 minutes out of him, because he showed in the games that he played that he’s still a top-level football player, [he] has still got the ability to play at the top. And it’s just about getting him out there. And, you know, I know he’s struggled with that.”
O’Hara unconvinced by Spurs’ summer signings and strikers
O’Hara’s assessment of Maddison’s quality is not wrong, as the Englishman ranks among Tottenham’s top ten performers this season despite making only two starts.
In the clash against Coventry, his first start in over 500 days, the Englishman showed his quality and was the outright best player on the pitch.
However, while O’Hara is convinced of Maddison’s quality, he does not believe he has seen enough from Spurs’ new signings yet.
“I’m yet to see amazing performances from Savinho, from Marmoush. He’s been a bit of a [miss]. Van Hecke has done OK. Tonali’s done better in the last few games. So if you look at the summer signings, I’d say I’d still want to see more. I need to see more, I really do. I think Kudus has done really well, but he’s been there for a while.”
The former midfielder also gave his assessment of Spurs’ attackers, who have struggled this season. Solanke has managed just one Premier League goal all campaign, and Marmoush has also scored only once.
O’Hara believes their return is a concern. He continued: “We’ve got a problem up front. That’s my concern. We have got a massive problem up front. Solanke’s not doing it. Richarlison’s not even registered.
“We sold Will Lankshear. And I’m starting to look at it going: unless we’re going to score from a set piece or a free kick or a moment of brilliance, who’s the guy who’s going to get us 15 to 20 goals? We ain’t got one at the minute.”