Tottenham: James Maddison asks frustrated fans for support ahead of season-defining European clash

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Evening Standard

·4 April 2025

Tottenham: James Maddison asks frustrated fans for support ahead of season-defining European clash

He admitted supporters have every right to be frustrated with Spurs’ performances

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has asked supporters to get behind the team after a narrow derby defeat to Chelsea on Thursday night.

The Briton played 88 minutes of Spurs’ 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge, Enzo Fernandez’s second-half header ultimately making the difference as both sides had goals controversially ruled out by VAR. The Lilywhites extended their Premier League winless run to four matches, heaping yet more pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.

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Speaking at full-time, Maddison thanked the travelling fans for their support and asked them to keep the faith, pointing out Tottenham could still lift the Europa League this season ahead of their quarter-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt.

He said: “To be fair, [the fans] have every right to be [angry]. I think it’s still important that we go over and show our appreciation for them even though we’re not getting a nice reception, let's put it that way, but I think they deserve that even though it’s not nice to go over and get pelters right at your face.

“But they pay the money, they travel all over for us, and we are just as disappointed as they are, but we are trying to put it right.”

Postecoglou was conspicuously absent as the players acknowledged the away end after the final whistle. The Australian’s relationship with the fans is more frayed than ever, with many calling for him to be sacked as Spurs languish in 14th in the table.

Under pressure: Ange Postecoglou did not acknowledge Spurs supporters at full-time

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Fans serenaded Postecoglou after he made his first round of substitutions, singing ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ over a chorus of boos. After substitute Pape Sarr scored a later disallowed equaliser, Postecoglou faced the away end and cupped his ear as he seemed to challenge their criticisms, though he claimed he only wanted to hear their celebrations better.

Maddison played diplomat, saying Tottenham need the fans’ support more than ever.

Asked to send supporters a message, he said: “[The result] hurts a lot. It has been one too many times this season. Our fans are rightly disappointed.

“It can still be a super special season if we lift some silverware. We are two fixtures away from a European final, so it can still be a very special season. The message would be just stick with us.

“The fans don’t even want to hear what we have to say at the minute.

“We need them as much as they need us, and they probably don’t want to listen to me right now after another defeat in the league, and that is fine, but we just have to try and stick together, I guess.”

Spurs will look to get back to winning ways on Sunday as they host Southampton.