Jamie O’Hara blasts Tottenham after ‘Terrible’ footage v AZ Alkmaar
Tottenham find themselves behind at half-time in their Europa League tie against AZ Alkmaar in a first-half that left Jamie O’Hara raging.
The Lilywhites have not been at their best in a game they are eager to get a result in, with the Europa League now the key focus in North London.
However, an own goal from Lucas Bergvall in the 18th minute of the game has left Spurs with a hill to climb in the second half.
O’Hara blasts Tottenham moment v AZ Alkmaar
With Ange Postecoglou under pressure at Tottenham this season due to their poor form, the Europa League has become a crucial part of the campaign.
AZ put the ball into the box which left Bergvall reaching out for it with his leg but as he tried to clear, it went the wrong way and looped into his own net.
Speaking live on Sky Sports Football (6 March), O’Hara blasted Spurs reacting to footage of the opener, saying: “It’s a terrible goal to concede. It’s 1-0 to AZ Alkmaar and it’s Bergvall, looks like it’s an own goal.
“It comes from a corner, they just whip the ball in. No one gets on the end of it and I think someone’s just standing at the back post, it’s hard for me to tell might be Koopmeiners who just then tried to deliver it back into the box and Bergvall tries to clear it and just scoops it up over his head, goes over the goalkeeper and goes into the corner.
“What a terrible goal, what a bad goal to concede. It’s terrible, oh it’s a bad goal.”
Tottenham need to up their standards
Tottenham might have had a difficult season, but there is no doubt that there are several quality players throughout the team who can perform.
Not only is there talent, but there is also experience in the squad and those are the players that really need to step up for their manager in the second-half of the game.
| Tottenham | AZ Alkmaar | |
| Possession | 65% | 35% |
| Shots | 1 | 3 |
| Shots on target | 0 | 2 |
The squad will know how much of a vital game this is and while they may feel the pressure, they have to show their ability to cope with the standards put upon them and deliver the expected levels.
There is a second leg to take place next week on home turf, which Spurs will surely feel more confident going into, but Postecoglou won’t be keen on already being in a deficit going into the game.
Tottenham have plenty of work to do ahead of them and there is no excuse not to make up for their mistakes in the first half of the game.