Ex-Spur Alan Hutton insists "fans don't understand" the important role Harry Winks plays at Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs defender believes supporters do not appreciate why Winks is in the side as his performances are usually understated.

Winks has started the past four Premier League games in a row and played a key part as Tottenham thumped Newcastle United 3-1 at St James' Park. 

Hutton praised the Spurs academy product for his displays in recent weeks and believes fans expect too much from him.

He told assistant editor Russell Edge "“I think he gets, I wouldn’t say bad press but people don’t understand his qualities and what he’s good at, what he’s there for.

“He keeps the ball ticking, he keeps the ball moving, he never takes too many touches on the ball. I think probably what people want to see is him do more – as in more forward passes because he’s got the ability to pass, let’s see him do those type of passes.

“He’s not really there for that, he’s there to keep the team moving, keep it going and essentially give it to the players like Lo Celso, Begwijn, Son to go and do a little bit of magic.

“It’s a position where sometimes fans don’t understand – they look at it and think I want more from you – but he’s an integral part of the team.”

It is hard to argue with Hutton here, as Winks has featured in every game during the Lilywhites' latest unbeaten run.

Spurs have suffered a mixed start since the Premier League restart, which raised questions over whether or not Jose Mourinho knows his best side, but they have begun to turn things around.

He was an unused substitute in the shock defeat at Sheffield United, but bounced back with two strong performances against Everton and Bournemouth.

While his style will never set the world alight, Winks is an efficient distributor who picks his passes to keep the ball moving.

He played the full 90 minutes against Newcastle, taking 74 touches, providing 5 long balls, and finishing the game with a staggering pass accuracy rating of 98% (via SofaScore).

Mourinho's decision to start the 24-year-old has started to pay dividends, as it has allowed him to push Giovani Lo Celso further upfield.

With Winks involved, Lo Celso is playing in a more advanced position, which has given Kane and Son Heung-min the creativity they have been craving.

The Englishman has become the man supplying the supplier, although he does not get the credit he deserves for Spurs' recent resurgence.

Tottenham fans, do you think Harry Winks deserves more credit? Let us know down below!