James Maddison’s reaction to substitution could be bad news for Spurs – Pundit says
Former Tottenham scout Bryan King observed a troubling aspect of James Maddison’s performance during Spurs’ 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace.
Tottenham, typically capable of creating numerous scoring opportunities, struggled against Palace’s well-organized defense.
At Selhurst Park, Spurs found themselves relying heavily on Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski to break through the low-block defense of the Eagles. However, their attempts to create key moments fell short, leaving the away side unable to make a significant impact on the match.
Maddison, in particular, had an underwhelming performance. When he was substituted around the 62-minute mark, he hadn’t managed to produce much for the team.
King noted that Maddison appeared visibly frustrated with the substitution, suggesting he wasn’t pleased with the decision, especially as Spurs were pressing for an equalizer.
King commented to Tottenham News, saying, “Spurs looked quite ordinary against Palace, with very little action from our attackers. Maddison didn’t bring much to the game. There was even a point in the first half when he had an opportunity to score but seemed to get tangled up. Overall, he looked out of sorts, and his reaction to being substituted didn’t show any contentment.”
Maddison’s frustration is understandable, as few attacking players enjoy being taken off while the team chases a crucial goal. This isn’t the first time Maddison has been replaced around the hour mark by manager Ange Postecoglou.
The recurring decision might hint at concerns within the coaching staff regarding Maddison’s stamina and ability to maintain high-intensity play for a full 90 minutes.
The Australian manager may feel that, given the demands of Spurs’ playing style, the midfielder’s energy levels tend to drop after around an hour, impacting his effectiveness on the field.
As Tottenham fans await further games, it remains to be seen if Maddison’s role in the lineup will shift or if Postecoglou will continue managing his minutes to preserve his intensity for crucial moments.
Read Also: Fewer touches than Vicario: Ange must drop 4/10 Spurs ace who lost the ball 12x
Read Also: Postecoglou stubbornness is clearly holding Tottenham back from their true identity
Read Also: What Postecoglou told his players after defeat to Crystal Palace, admits big Tottenham problem