Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has leapt to the defence of misfiring forward Timo Werner, declaring ‘he’s not hopeless’.
Werner is yet to score for Tottenham this season despite finding himself in prime goalscoring opportunities.
The German was denied twice by Andre Onana when he was put through on goal during Tottenham’s resounding 3-0 win over Manchester United last Sunday.
Werner also failed to bury a one-on-one chance during Tottenham’s midweek Europa League tie against Ferencvaros.
The 28-year-old has not scored for Tottenham since a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa last March.
Ange Postecoglou has leapt to the defence of misfiring Tottenham forward Timo Werner
The German has not scored since Tottenham thrashed Aston Villa in March last season
Postecoglou remains adamant Werner’s goalscoring fortunes will soon turn for Tottenham
However, Postecoglou pointed to Werner’s teammate Brennan Johnson as a prime example of why he is backing the German to turn his fortunes around.
Johnson bore the brunt of heavy criticism from Tottenham fans and deleted his Instagram in the wake of the 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the north London derby.
But the Welsh winger has silenced his critics with a run of scoring in five straight games.
‘It was 14 days ago those questions were asked of Brennan,’ Postecoglou said in his press conference on Friday.
‘It’s where we’re at in this world. We just think, ‘He’s missed two chances, so he’s hopeless’. No, he’s not hopeless. All footballers at this level are very, very good footballers.’
Postecoglou referenced a positive action from the German during the game against Ferencvaros, when he beat his man to whip in a ‘brilliant cross’ for teammate Will Lankshear, who couldn’t quite meet it.
‘If that goes in, he’s had a great assist,’ Postecoglou said.
‘He then gets a one-on-one, if he scores that, if in the last two games he gets a couple of goals, then we’d be having a different conversation. But that’s fine lines.
Werner missed a number of prime chances against Manchester United and Ferencvaros
Postecoglou believes Werner can emulate Johnson’s stunning turnaround of late
Postecoglou was full of praise for Werner’s display against Ferencvaros in the Europa League
‘In terms of his general play, I think his last two games have been really good for us. He’s been taking on players, getting in the right areas.’
The Tottenham boss is no fool and knows goals are the easiest way to silence those who have vocalised their doubts about Werner.
Regardless, Postecoglou intends to ‘persevere’ with Werner as he fully believes in him.
‘Yes, goals help,’ Postecoglou said.
‘We’ve seen that with Brennan. But that doesn’t mean he’s not a good player and that’s where I get really annoyed when they put everything on that moment to say he’s not a good player. Of course he’s a good player. He’s a fantastic player.
Johnson is in sensational form for Tottenham as of late, scoring in five consecutive games
The easiest way for Werner to silence his critics is by scoring, but Postecoglou still values him
Postecoglou has every intention of persevering with Werner despite his recent goal drought
‘Scoring goals would help him, would help us, yes. But we’ll persevere with him because I still think he’s contributing to the team.’
Werner, who started against Manchester United and Ferencvaros at left wing, appears likely to retain his position as Tottenham skipper Heung-Min Son is out with injury.
Son went off injured in the second half of Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Qarabag in the Europa League last week.