‘He’s not carrying a knock’ – Postecoglou comments on Maddison’s performance 

Ange Postecoglou has said that he was pleased with James Maddison’s creativity against West Ham but admitted that some of Tottenham’s attacking players were too rushed in their decision-making.

Despite having more than two-thirds of possession at the London Stadium, Spurs struggled to break down the Hammers’s defence and failed to fashion too many opportunities.

The second half, in particular, was a dull affair, with Tottenham seeming to lack creativity in the middle of the park.

Maddison, who is the man the Lilywhites rely on to provide that creativity, was subbed off in the 70th minute for Dejan Kulusevski.

That led some to wonder whether the England international was carrying a knock but Postecoglou insisted that the midfielder was fully fit.

The Tottenham boss told Football.London about Maddison: “He’s not carrying a knock. If he was carrying a knock he wouldn’t be playing. He’s fine, yeah.”

Postecoglou wants Spurs attackers to take their time

Postecoglou remarked that he was pleased with some of the passes the former Leicester star was playing in the attacking third but confessed that the Spurs attackers were sometimes too rushed in their decision-making and failed to maximise situations.

He added: “I thought Madders was really good, especially when he got in their final third. I thought he played some really clever passes that we just didn’t capitalise on.

“I think for all the guys in the front third area – not just the attacking players, the full-backs as well, we got into some really good areas, it’s just about trying to show them that they don’t need to be so rushed in their decision making and we’ll get better outcomes.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It is concerning that West Ham looked quite comfortable defensively despite the possession and territorial advantage that Tottenham enjoyed. Unfortunately, our lack of cutting-edge in the attacking third has become a bit of a pattern away from home.