James Maddison says Tottenham’s squad are “100%” behind manager Ange Postecoglou and can still turn their season into “something very special”.
Spurs are 16th in the Premier League table after a dismal domestic campaign and pressure is mounting on Postecoglou despite their contrasting fortunes in Europe.
The North London club, who have not won a trophy in 17 years, host Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
Attacking midfielder Maddison, 28, acknowledges the club’s disappointing season but says the narrative surrounding the manager is “not healthy”.
“We are behind the manager 100%,” said Maddison. “I think he’s a great man. We have had a poor season, especially in the league. We’ve been very good in Europe, but the league season has been unacceptable.
“He’s my manager, he’s my gaffer and I respect him an awful amount. The narrative [of Postecoglou’s job being under threat] is something we players are trying to keep away from because it’s not healthy.
“I just know that I come into work every day and see the lads listening and taking on the messages on how he wants us to play and doing the best for this club and we are in a real good position in Europe, where we can still have a special season under his management.
“I will continue to do that until the day he isn’t here.”
Spurs will be without captain Son Heung-min, who is unavailable with a foot injury, against Bodo/Glimt but Maddison says the club are going to “relish the challenge” of reaching a first European final since they were beaten by Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League showpiece.
“It’s huge,” the England midfielder added.
“When you get to the end of your career and you look back, there’s not many times a player has been in European semi-finals. Maybe once or twice if you are lucky.
“We need to use that. We are in the final four in a massive competition in Europe and use that to have a great tie on Thursday and in Bodo as well.
“We’ve got a real special opportunity. There’s obviously been a lot of talk about form and being a poor season, but we have the opportunity to do something very special.
“We’ve earned it and we deserve to be here. It is a challenge we are going to relish.”
What impact coudl winning the Europa League have on alleviating pressure on Ange Postecoglou, considering Tottenham’s Premier League position?
Tottenham Hotspur: Navigating a Challenging Season
The article highlights James Maddison’s support for Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou amidst a difficult season.while the team struggles in the Premier League, they’re competing in the Europa League semi-finals. Here’s a Q&A to clarify key points:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is there pressure on Ange Postecoglou?
A: Tottenham is currently 16th in the Premier league,a disappointing position for a club with high expectations. This, combined with a 17-year trophy drought, has led to scrutiny.
Q: What is the Europa League semi-final Maddison is talking about?
A: Tottenham is in the Europa League semi-final, facing Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, with the first leg taking place on Thursday. This offers a chance at silverware and a positive turn to the season.
Q: what does Maddison meen by the ‘narrative’ surrounding the manager?
A: Maddison is referring to the media and fan discussions about Postecoglou’s job security. He believes this negativity is unhelpful and distracting for the team.
Q: Why is Son Heung-min not playing?
A: Son Heung-min is unavailable due to a foot injury.
Q: When was the last time Tottenham reached a European final?
A: Tottenham last reached a European final in the 2019 Champions League, where they lost to Liverpool.
Q: What’s the importance of reaching a European semi-final?
A: Reaching this stage of a major European competition is a notable achievement, offering the potential to win a trophy and create a special memory for the players.
Q: What is Maddison’s advice for the team?
A: Maddison has emphasized that the team must “relish the challenge” and seize their opportunity to make the season “something very special” by succeeding in the Europa League.
despite the Premier League struggles,Tottenham has a real opportunity for glory in the europa League. Support the team as they aim to create a memorable moment!
