James Maddison has not been in the best of form since returning from injury earlier this year, and Alan Pardew has suggested the fact Ange Postecoglou keeps substituting him off during games is not helping the matter.
Regardless of his current form, it’s safe to say Maddison has been a positive signing for Spurs this year. Indeed, before his spell on the sidelines from November to January, the playmaker could hardly put a foot wrong.
Maddison registered three goals and five assists in his first ten games this season, but has managed just one goal and two assists in the 12 since he returned to action at the end of January.
There have been concerns raised regarding Maddison’s influence over games and his ability to unlock defences of late. And yet, Ange Postecoglou continues to start the 27-year-old, perhaps in the hope his form will return.
However, Maddison has completed the full 90 minutes in just one game of his last 12, with Postecoglou taking the midfielder off increasingly early in matches lately.
Should James Maddison be dropped?
Alan Pardew suggests this approach is not helping Maddison’s confidence, and could be having a negative impact on his performances.
He told talkSPORT (30/04/2024): “Maddison has been a concern since the injury. We looked at that stat. I think he has been subbed the last nine games. That can’t do his confidence any good, a player that actually is built around confidence.
“So, the injury, the confidence and getting taken off, that is all contributing to his perhaps below-par performances.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I do think James Maddison needs to be dropped, even just for one game, to get his head straight, to realise that there are players who can take his place, and to work on a few things. I’d honestly think about starting Giovani Lo Celso, or even Jamie Donley in the next game.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
