Ange: I'm not worrying about bruised egos after Werner criticism

Ange Postecoglou says he is not concerned about “bruised egos” after criticising Timo Werner’s performance in Tottenham’s draw with Rangers.

Werner was replaced at half-time of the Europa League tie at Ibrox that finished 1-1, and Postecoglou described his display as “unacceptable” and not “anywhere near the level” required.

When asked on Friday how the 28-year-old had or might respond to the comments, Postecoglou said: “I’ve got no time for that sort of stuff anymore. We’re in a fight here, collectively we’re in a fight. I’m not going to go around worrying about people’s bruised egos.

“We want to achieve things, we want to be successful. We’re down to the bare bones in players, if there’s somebody in that dressing room who’s fit, able to contribute and feels like they need something extra in this moment, he’s probably not the right type.

“We had some last night that understand the situation that we’re in. We’ve got 15 fit players, in some positions we’ve only got two players. I’m not going to go around trying to get extra out of people if they don’t give extra right now. That gives me an indication of where they’re at.”

Postecoglou was then asked if that tied into the wider issue of Spurs’ struggle to win a trophy.

Cristian Romero appeared to direct criticism towards the club for a perceived lack of investment after their defeat to Chelsea last weekend, but Postecoglou said: “I’m sick of that. That’s an excuse for me. That’s why, even with Cristian Romero’s comments, I just think that’s an excuse.

“At the moment, I’m here, I take responsibility, these players, we’re here. If we think some mythical thing exists in this club that prevents success then change it. What’s the point otherwise? Don’t come here. I just don’t buy into that.

“At the moment, we’re in a difficult situation because of where we are squad-wise and you either embrace this challenge. If you want excuses, there’s a million of them to why we can’t be successful. If that’s what your clutch is, particularly in tough moments, what’s the point? Move on then. Go somewhere else.”

In response to whether he regretted his comments about Werner, Postecoglou said: “No, it wasn’t criticism, it was assessment. If we’ve played poorly, we’ve played poorly. With Timo, it wasn’t about whether he’d played well or not, we had a really difficult game.

“I’m asking 18-year-olds to do massive jobs and you’ve got senior players – he’s a senior player, he’s an international, won the Champions League – that there’s a level of application and performance you need to rise to, to help the team. He didn’t reach that.

“Me taking him off at half-time was a statement enough. The same way I won’t hide behind team performances, it’s not different to players or anyone else.”

‘Who is up for the fight?’

Werner struggled for form at Chelsea and RB Leipzig which led to his loan move to Tottenham although it hasn’t reignited his career.

On why Werner had found it difficult, Postecoglou said: “It can’t be ability. You don’t play for Germany, you don’t play for big clubs – whether it’s a combination of confidence or belief, at this moment we don’t have the luxury of that.

“You’re out there, you’re playing, you’re fit, we don’t have the luxury. Not just him, any player at this moment. He’s got an opportunity to play and it’s not like a bad performance then I’ll leave you out the next game – I’ve got no one else to put in.

“We need all that stuff to be put aside. Whether you’ve got a lack of confidence, lack of belief, whatever it is, to say: ‘Well, are you in this fight?’ Because we are in a fight.

“We’ve got a limited number of players to call on, some big games coming up. We can set up our season, I just need people to have that level of commitment and application, and find their way through. As much as I’m talking about Timo, I’m talking about the whole group.

“The norms of football – poor performance, you get left out – they don’t exist in our environment right now. I need players going out there and putting that to one side.”

Werner has started only three league matches this season and has been mainly used as a substitute.

“He has been, but at the same time he still had the ability to come on and affect games – and he has,” added Postecoglou. “He did that against [Manchester] City and in other games.

“In Europe, midweek games, he’s there to start and make an impact. I get that a lot of discussion is around him but last night wasn’t about Timo Werner, it’s about the situation we’re in and what’s required at this time. It could have been someone else. There are other players who could have also given more to what we were trying to do last night.

“I felt with him, particularly because he hasn’t played a lot, there should have been some freshness around him that he could have made a real impact. I know that he’s a top player.”

Analysis: Bullish Postecoglou doing things his way

Sky Sports’ News’ Paul Gilmour:

The post-match answer on Timo Werner at Ibrox got everyone talking and little over 12 hours later Postecoglou was back at the Spurs training ground previewing the weekend fixture against Southampton.

Not for the first time Postecoglou was box office. He was bullish, unphased and remarkably relaxed despite the injury troubles and recent form. He spoke of being up for the battle and was even compared to a General by one reporter.

Postecoglou knows what he wants and if he doesn’t get it, he will be honest as he demonstrated after the Rangers game. He’s doing things his way and it should be no surprise to anyone.

He rejected the use of the word criticism and preferred to file it under “feedback”. A manager is there to offer performance feedback and, in any industry in the world, that is considered normal.

Of course, the difference here is the public element of it and we’ve repeatedly heard in football that this kind of feedback in front of the cameras doesn’t go down well. I couldn’t help but feel, while listening to Postecoglou, that he’s doing his best to be demanding of a thin squad at a crucial point in the season, especially those experienced players.

On a few occasions he found time to joke, and while talking up Archie Gray’s performance, pointed to the fact the 18-year-old has a bright future before adding: “The next manager will love him.”

Attention turns back to the pitch, and before the Manchester United League Cup tie, all eyes will be on St Mary’s as both Saints and Spurs go marching into battle.