Tottenham’s emphatic 4-1 win over West Ham saw James Maddison substituted at half-time, a decision that has since sparked controversy.
Despite providing the assist for Dejan Kulusevski’s equalizer in the first half, Maddison was replaced by Pape Matar Sarr at half-time with the scores tied at 1-1.
Ange Postecoglou’s tactical adjustment proved effective as Spurs scored three goals within eight minutes of the break to secure a dominant win.
Mick Brown: Postecoglou won’t be afraid to drop James Maddison
Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown has now commented on the Maddison situation, suggesting Postecoglou will not shy away from making bold decisions, including dropping key players like Maddison if it benefits the team.
Brown noted that while the England international is a gifted playmaker, his impact can sometimes diminish in closely contested games, especially when the game doesn’t flow in a way that suits his points strong
talking with Football InsiderBrown said:
“I appreciate what James Maddison can do. But it’s almost as if the game has to be run to his advantage, while elite players in his position put their stamp on the game and dictate how it’s played.”
“If it’s a 50/50 battle of a game, it can go away. From what I’ve heard, the manager might look to drop him from the starting eleven from time to time. He won’t be afraid to make big calls and this is one he might have to make.”
“Postecoglou will look at who they are playing against and change their system to suit the game.
“Maddison could take advantage of weaker teams in midfield, for example, but in games like the one at the weekend they can leave him out.
“We saw against West Ham what a difference it can make to leave him out of the game, and I would expect to see that more regularly now.”
While Maddison remains a crucial part of the squad, his substitution against West Ham shows that Postecoglou is ready to adapt and make the necessary decisions to keep Spurs competitive.
Despite his quality, he has not been the most consistent in his performances this season. he was criticized for his performance against Arsenal last month, and was also criticized for being so “sloppy” during the win against Manchester United.
As Tottenham continue to refine their approach under Postecoglou, Maddison’s role could be adjusted in the coming games, especially against stronger opponents.
