James Maddison hits nail on head in ‘unacceptable’ Postecoglou call at Tottenham
James Maddison has become one of the leadership figures in a Tottenham Hotspur side devoid of performances from its top players this season.
Similarly to Manchester United, however, Spurs can largely gloss over a horrendous campaign domestically with European glory.
Ange Postecoglou’s troops and Ruben Amorim’s United face off in parallel Europa League semi-final first legs on Thursday evening (1 May), with Tottenham fancied by many externally to overcome Norwegian surprise package Bodo/Glimt.
In preparation for the contest, Maddison was his usual transparent self as he addressed the media, making a brutally honest “unacceptable” verdict.
Maddison leaps to defence of Postecoglou
Maddison has long been straight to the point surrounding the dejection of the domestic season at Tottenham Hotspur, towards whom supporters are mounting the pressure to sack Postecoglou.
Fans acknowledge the main problem lies with Daniel Levy and ENIC, as a lack of investment and doubtful priorities are debated throughout the support network.
As quoted by Sky Sports (30 April), Maddison – focused solely on the football itself – leapt to the defence of Postecoglou in the build-up to the first leg of the last-four tie with Kjetil Knutsen’s Bodo in N17.
“We’re behind the manager, 100 per cent. He’s my manager, he’s my gaffer… he’s a great man. He’s the first person to tell you we’ve had a poor season. The league season has been unacceptable and we all take collective responsibility,” the 28-year-old insisted.
“The narrative is something we try and keep away from, with the manager’s position, but we come into work every day and listen and take onboard how the gaffer wants us to play. I’ll continue to do that until the day he isn’t [the head coach].
“We’re doing very well in Europe, and we can still have a special season.”
Maddison has hit the nail on the head. To agree with criticism towards his own head coach would act as obvious self-sabotage, regardless of what the devil on his shoulder may be suggesting.
Tottenham and Postecoglou remain in with an opportunity to end their long trophy hoodoo and qualify for the Champions League – that, right now, should trump all.
An inquest simply must be carried out in the summer to prevent what has happened in the Premier League this year from repeating itself, but you do sense the community feel remains among all the players and staff at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to deliver the greatest out-of-jail card of all, the Europa League trophy.
Tottenham must head to Arctic Circle in second leg
Tottenham Hotspur doubtless have the hardest task on paper in the second leg on 8 May, as they head north towards the Arctic Circle to take on a Bodo/Glimt side who eliminated Lazio in the quarter-finals.
It was the home leg which sealed the deal for the Norwegians, who also beat a Postecoglou-inspired Celtic in both legs of a Conference League knockout tie in 2022.
Luckily for Spurs and their head coach, visiting in May is a lot kinder from the elements than that of February, when he led that Celtic side to Nordic climes.
| Europa League semi-finals | Date |
| Tottenham Hotspur v Bodo/Glimt | Thu 1 May |
| Bodo/Glimt v Tottenham Hotspur | Thu 8 May |
As per the Met Office, the leading days into the second leg will average around the 4-7 degrees celsius mark. There have been colder matches hosted in the North London winter this year.
Spurs know they can make history, and Maddison is a key figure in reminding everyone as much. Now is the time to deliver.