Tottenham: ‘Terrible’ James Maddison admission emerges after what midfielder did v Newcastle
Bryan King has blasted James Maddison for his off-the-ball antics against Newcastle United while describing the midfielder’s overall display against the Magpies as “terrible”.
The ex-Spurs scout feels that the 27-year-old hasn’t been at his best over the past few weeks.
Maddison struggled once again on Saturday (13 April) as Tottenham were thrashed 4-0 by Newcastle at St James’ Park.
He was perhaps lucky to get away without a booking in the first half after bringing down Anthony Gordon, but still found reason to complain to the referee moments later when Dan Burn was also let off with just a warning for a foul of his own on the Tottenham playmaker.
And King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – feels that Maddison would be better off concentrating on his football.
“Maddison was getting drawn into stuff once again, I can’t believe what I’ve seen from him in recent weeks, to be honest,” said King.
“He is not playing well at all, he is not doing the things which we know he is capable of doing.
“He created very little because he was more focused on what was happening off the ball. His general play was terrible.
“I can’t believe he was trying to claim that he didn’t foul Gordon, it was a terrible challenge and blatantly obvious. He is lucky he didn’t get booked because he would have been sent off in the second half otherwise.
“He hasn’t been acting like a vice-captain and to be honest, he looked anything but an England international against Newcastle.”
Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou need more from James Maddison
It has been a while since Maddison has performed consistently for Spurs.
Before his injury, the ex-Leicester City man was one of the Premier League’s most in-form players, but things just haven’t clicked since his return to action.
While he might have needed some time to readjust, most Spurs supporters would argue that enough time has now passed, with the midfielder’s decline in form becoming something of a concern.
With games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool to come, Ange Postecoglou will need Maddison back at his best sooner rather than later.
In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou has a “problem” after what Alasdair Gold noticed one 82 per cent ace do against Newcastle.
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