Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou insists he doesn’t care if his players feel undervalued or anything after slamming Timo Werner’s performance following their 1-1 Europa League draw with Rangers.
Werner, 28, was substitute at half-time after losing possession 16 times, failing to win any of his five duels and completing just 69% of his passes.
Dejan Kulusevski, who replaced the German striker, equalised for Spurs in the 75th minute at Ibrox Stadium.
Postecoglou said on Friday he did not regret criticising Werner in public because his comments were an assessment.
Former Chelsea player Werner, on loan from RB Leipzig, has scored just one goal in 19 appearances for Spurs.
“Criticism is saying something that doesn’t help, evaluation is trying to give feedback to players to try to make them better and give them a chance to develop themselves,” Postecoglou said.
“For Timo, it’s not about whether he plays well or not. It’s a difficult game. I ask the 18-year-old to do a difficult job.”
“He’s an international player. He is won the Champions League. He’s a senior player.”
“You have to try to improve yourself to improve the team. He didn’t do that.”
“Timo is not what it is now. It’s not about Timo. It’s not about putting someone down and blaming someone.”
Spurs, who are 11th in the Premier League table, travel to Southampton on Sunday.
With limited attacking options, with Richarlison and Wilson Odober both out injured, Postecoglou says Spurs face a big challenge, adding: “I need people who are up to the challenge.”
“We are Register ufabet fighting. I am not worry about making other people feel inferior.”
“We are here to win. If there is someone in the dressing room who is fit and feels like he needs something extra in this moment, he may not be that type of person.”