As bad as Werner: 4/10 Spurs “horror” who lost possession 20x truly let Ange down – opinion

Tottenham Hotspur’s disappointing form continued with a frustrating draw against Rangers in a high-stakes Europa League match at Ibrox.

Ange Postecoglou returned to Glasgow, the city where he gained prominence in British football, but this time, it was against Rangers rather than his former club Celtic.

Despite Dejan Kulusevski salvaging a point for the visitors, the performance raised further doubts about Postecoglou’s project at Spurs.

Rangers dominated key moments of the match, showcasing superior intensity and tactical discipline. Tottenham, despite having more possession, struggled to assert themselves effectively, particularly in critical areas of the pitch.

The lackluster performance highlighted glaring weaknesses in both individual displays and collective cohesion.

Match Statistics

Source: Sofascore

Among Tottenham’s underperformers, Timo Werner and Pedro Porro stood out for all the wrong reasons, with their contributions—or lack thereof—leaving fans and analysts deeply unimpressed.

Timo Werner’s Underwhelming Display

Werner’s struggles at Tottenham have been a recurring theme since his midseason arrival last year, and his performance against Rangers offered little hope for improvement. Starting on the left side of a three-man attacking midfield, Werner failed to provide any meaningful attacking threat.

Early in the game, he squandered an opportunity by sending a shot high over the bar, and his impact dwindled further as the match progressed. His inability to track back defensively left Destiny Udogie exposed against Václav Černý and James Tavernier, compounding Tottenham’s issues on that flank.

Postecoglou’s decision to substitute Werner at halftime was a clear reflection of his frustration. The Spurs manager later described Werner’s performance as “unacceptable,” a sentiment echoed by a harsh 3/10 rating from journalist Dan Kilpatrick.

Source: Sofascore

Werner’s inability to contribute in attack, combined with his defensive lapses, underscored his lack of form and raised questions about his long-term future at Tottenham.

Pedro Porro’s Defensive Struggles

On the opposite flank, Pedro Porro delivered yet another subpar performance. While the Spanish right-back managed a single shot on target midway through the second half, his overall contribution in attack was minimal.

However, it was his defensive shortcomings that proved most concerning. Porro was frequently targeted by Rangers, who exploited his vulnerabilities with great effect. He failed to track Hamza Igamane for Rangers’ opening goal and struggled to cope with the intensity of the hosts’ attacking play.

Porro’s display earned him a 4/10 rating from Kilpatrick, with journalist Mitch Fretton describing his defensive performance as a “horror.” His statistical output reflected his difficulties on the pitch.

Source: Sofascore

Porro’s inability to perform defensively has become a recurring issue, and his lack of improvement raises concerns about his suitability for Tottenham’s long-term plans.

A Night to Forget for Spurs

The draw at Ibrox was a bitter pill for Tottenham, who entered the match as favorites but left with more questions than answers. Werner and Porro epitomized the team’s struggles, and their poor performances highlighted a broader issue of inconsistency within the squad. For Postecoglou, the challenge of turning things around becomes increasingly daunting as the pressure mounts.

Both Werner and Porro are likely to face scrutiny in the coming weeks, with potential changes in personnel and tactics looming. Tottenham must address these glaring issues promptly if they hope to regain their footing and restore confidence among fans and stakeholders.