Ange Postecoglou clarifies his Timo Werner comments – ‘It wasn’t criticism’

Timo Werner’s underwhelming performance in Tottenham’s Europa League stalemate has sparked a firm response from Ange Postecoglou, who has laid bare his expectations for the club’s senior players as they navigate this challenging phase of the season.

Timo Werner’s lacklustre Europa League display

Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League campaign continued with a frustrating draw on Thursday night, a match that exposed key vulnerabilities in the squad’s approach and individual performances.

One of the night’s most disappointing displays came from Timo Werner, who failed to make any significant contribution in his 45 minutes on the pitch.

According to performance metrics from FotMob, Werner registered no tackles, no accurate crosses, no successful dribbles, and no shots on target.

His lacklustre output forced Ange Postecoglou to replace him at half-time with Dejan Kulusevski, whose energy and technical skill proved crucial in salvaging a point for Spurs.

Postecoglou, who has already established himself as a manager unafraid to speak his mind, did not shy away from addressing Werner’s struggles after the match.

While acknowledging the collective challenges of the current squad situation, he singled out the need for greater accountability and effort from experienced players like Werner.

Ange Postecoglou’s direct challenge to Timo Werner and Spurs senior players

In a more recent press conference, Ange Postecoglou has now clarified his stance on Werner’s performance, explaining his decision to make the half-time substitution.

His words were unambiguous, painting a vivid picture of his expectations for senior players during this critical stretch of the season.

He told football.london: “No. It wasn’t criticism, it was assessment. I’m not going to go around worrying about bruised egos.

“If somebody who’s fit feels he needs something extra in this moment, he’s probably not the right type. We’ve got a limited number of players. It’s a great challenge. I want people who are up for that challenge.

“Last night wasn’t about Timo Werner, it’s the situation we’re in. There are other players who could also give more to what we were trying to do last night. I just felt last night because he hasn’t played a lot there should have been some freshness around him.”

Ange Postecoglou comments highlight larger Tottenham issue

Postecoglou’s pointed remarks underline a larger issue that has loomed over Tottenham this season – the balance between youth and experience in a squad that is currently stretched thin.

While certain players have shown promise, it is clear that Tottenham’s senior figures need to step up, especially now that the squad is stretched and results are needed.

Timo Werner’s struggles are not entirely unexpected given his recent form and lack of rhythm, but Postecoglou’s public challenge signals that patience is running thin. It is a call to action not just for Werner, but for every senior player in the squad who may be underperforming.

The post Ange Postecoglou clarifies his Timo Werner comments – ‘It wasn’t criticism’ appeared first on Spurs Web.