Johnson form 'no coincidence' after deleting social media

Nations League: Iceland v Wales

Venue: Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik Date: Friday, 11 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds & live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Former Wales striker Rob Earnshaw believes Brennan Johnson embarking on an impressive goalscoring run for Tottenham after deleting his social media account is not a coincidence.

The winger, 23, reportedly deactivated his Instagram page following criticism received after Spurs' 1-0 loss to north London rivals Arsenal in September.

He has gone on to score in each of Tottenham's six matches since defeat by the Gunners.

Johnson is with Wales as they prepare to resume their Nations League campaign against Iceland in Reykjavík on Friday before hosting Montenegro in Cardiff three days later.

Earnshaw feels Johnson's decision to remove himself from social media has played a key role in his upturn in form under Ange Postecoglou.

“I think it’s different for everybody, but for sure there’s something in it because I think for him it was clearly affecting him with social media and it’s (deleting the account) clearly had a real positive impact," Earnshaw told BBC Radio Wales.

"It’s no coincidence for him because I think the reason he deactivated it was because of all the negativity and everything was going into his game and over thinking and then all of a sudden he was thinking about that as he’s playing."

Wales manager Craig Bellamy recently hailed the former Nottingham Forest man as an "elite" player, adding that Johnson is a "ridiculous talent".

Earnshaw hopes Johnson can realise his potential to be the "superstar" in the Wales side.

“I’m a big fan of Brennan Johnson, I think he’s brilliant," added Earnshaw.

"What I really love is that he’s getting a result at the end of his play because sometimes his play is pace, his work-rate is brilliant and there was not that end result in goals in that last action.

"What I’m seeing right now is great finishing, great movement and, yes, I really want to see that in the Wales shirt.

"I think he’s a high-level talent and he needs to find that consistency; right now he’s doing that for Tottenham.

"I think he needs to realise ‘do you know what, I can be the superstar in the Wales team’ and be doing that for club and country.

"I’m happy for him, he’s been on fire, that’s six in six, unbelievable."