Paul Robinson has hit back at Jamie O’Hara after Leeds United were unexpectedly dragged into O’Hara’s latest Tottenham tirade following their North London Derby defeat on Sunday, 15th September.
After Tottenham’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, O’Hara, the talkSPORT pundit, took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent his frustration, blaming Spurs for signing “Championship players.” He specifically referenced the summer signing of Leeds United’s Archie Gray.
However, O’Hara quickly found himself the subject of ridicule on social media for his suggestion that he would rather have players like Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe, and Rafael van der Vaart over Tottenham’s current squad.
Robinson, speaking to MOT Leeds News, didn’t hold back in his criticism of O’Hara. “Clown,” he said.
“It’s not his finest moment and I think he’s been reminded of that. I can put myself in that category because I was signed from Leeds in the Championship, and a year after, Aaron Lennon was exactly the same. He didn’t cover himself in glory, but I think it was just an off-the-cuff rant.”
O’Hara, known for his blunt opinions, is never shy about expressing his views, but this time, it appears he missed the mark.
His comments sparked backlash, particularly as Spurs’ current struggles in the Premier League—sitting 13th after four matches, with defeats to Newcastle and Arsenal—can hardly be pinned on signings from the Championship.
While Archie Gray, just 18, has yet to make a significant impact under new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, he remains a highly rated young talent.
The midfielder hasn’t had many chances to prove himself, partly due to the depth of competition in Tottenham’s midfield. However, given time, Gray has the potential to silence critics like O’Hara.
Gray impressed during his breakout season at Leeds, even playing at right-back under Daniel Farke. His move to Spurs is a testament to his ability, and many believe he could flourish at the highest level if given the opportunity.