Perry Groves believes that one Tottenham Hotspur player is struggling to hide his frustration at the moment – and thinks that he is not always happy with the system Ange Postecoglou wants his side to play.
Ange Postecoglou is definitely coming in for more criticism than he has faced at any other stage in his spell in North London.
Spurs have only won back to back games once in 2024. And their 4-0 loss to Newcastle United on Saturday showed how much work still lies ahead, even if they manage to qualify for the Champions League next season.
There is an argument that teams have worked out how to play against Postecoglou’s system.
Neither Pedro Porro or Destiny Udogie have provided an assist since February. And Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in the league in 2024.
But perhaps the full-backs moving forward is also having a negative impact on one of their teammates.
Tottenham star is looking extremely frustrated right now
James Maddison was one of the players of the season in the early stages of the campaign. But he has been nowhere near as influential since returning from injury.
Interestingly, Maddison has not completed 90 minutes in the top-flight since February. And speaking on the Premier League All Access podcast, Perry Groves suggested that Maddison is not looking like himself right now.
“There’s one player who I’ve seen at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a couple of times get frustrated when he’s been dragged off, James Maddison,” he said.
“He should have been sent off, he should’ve been booked twice. That’s frustration, because with Udogie coming one side and Porro coming the other, then there’s an overload in that central area and James Maddison doesn’t get that freedom as the 10.
“And you could tell even yesterday when he got substituted that he was frustrated. Obviously, disappointed that his team got beat, but you can tell he’s getting frustrated.”
James Maddison not the same player from the first-half of the season
Maddison looked like the perfect signing for Tottenham in the early stages of the season following his £40 million move. He was pulling the strings, and quickly formed a brilliant partnership with Heung-min Son.
But his injury hurt Spurs. And he has not made the same impact since coming back into the side.
It will be alarming that Tottenham have had a lot less success in the second-half of the season, because Postecoglou is someone who completely trusts what he is trying to do.
It is definitely too soon to suggest that there is any pressure on Postecoglou, or any of the players. Whatever happens, it has still been an excellent campaign.
But clearly, the fans will want to see that lessons have been learned when next season comes around.
The post 'You can tell': Pundit says £40m Tottenham player is starting to get frustrated with Ange Postecoglou's system appeared first on TBR Football.