Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has been warned starkly about his performance levels. The playmaker was subbed off at half-time during Saturday’s 4-1 win at West Ham.
Starting the match with Spurs trailing from Mohammed Kudus’ early goal, Maddison assisted Dejan Kulusevski for the equaliser before the break. However, manager Ange Postecoglou decided to bring in Pape Sarr straight after half-time, signalling an aggressive change in tactics
Following the change, Spurs notched three more goals, a testament to Postecoglou’s astute tactical switch. Former Chelsea player Tony Cascarino reckons Maddison’s time in the starting XI might now be at risk due to this brave managerial move, reports the Mirror
“He [Postecoglou] has put the challenge of changing Tottenham’s mentality and notoriously soft centre on his shoulders. I liked that he was prepared to make a big call and withdraw James Maddison at half-time,” said Cascarino in The Times.
“It would have sent a message to every player that their place is not assured after the Brighton debacle. Maddison was a big signing last year, and I have no doubt he would have taken the timing of the substitution personally. Postecoglou can manage the situation.”
“But Maddison may reflect on his delivery, especially from corners, and work rate. Maddison is no longer a promising young player. He turns 28 next month and needs to impose himself on matches. He finds himself out of the England squad and his starting place for Spurs is no longer guaranteed.”
Hindered by his omission from the England squad and a less certain start at Tottenham, Maddison knows that resting on potential is no longer enough.
Post-match analysis sees Postecoglou full of confidence after taking what seemed to be a risk; praise was given to Sarr’s impactful play which was critical in Spurs’ control over the game. “We needed more running power in midfield and Pape [Sarr] has lots of that, bags of energy and running. He really helped us to get control of the midfield and that gave us a good platform to go forward,” the Aussie coach exclaimed on Match of the Day.
Spurs’ tenacity was apparent, with Postecoglou noting how the home pressure eventually paid dividends. “We knew that putting them under pressure here at home we would eventually get there. We had to fight hard in the first half. Going a goal down wasn’t ideal but we clawed our way back into it, and it is not easy.”
