Ange Postecoglou: Comments on Timo Werner were an assessment, not criticism

Ange Postecoglou has stood by his “assessment” of Timo Werner’s performance in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw at Rangers but called on other senior players to join him in the fight to lead the club through choppy waters.

Injury-hit Spurs were able to fight back through Dejan Kulusevski’s 75th-minute leveller to leave Ibrox with a point and stay ninth in the Europa League after six matches.

Postecoglou insisted the display of Werner, who was replaced at half-time, “wasn’t acceptable” and reiterated his view before Sunday’s trip to Southampton in the Premier League, but admitted the RB Leipzig loanee will be required this weekend with nine players unavailable.

“It wasn’t criticism. It was assessment,” Postecoglou said.

“With Timo it wasn’t about whether he played well or not. It was a difficult game last night.

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

“I think me taking him off at half-time was a statement enough. The same way I won’t be hiding behind poor team performances, the same with and no different for the players or anyone else.

“It wasn’t criticism, it was just an assessment of his performance and on a really challenging night for us, which we knew going into it, it needs to be better.

“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.

“This football club, we want to achieve things and be successful. We’re down to the bare bones in players. If there’s somebody in the dressing room who’s fit, able to contribute but who feels he needs