Arsenal legend questions Ange Postecoglou’s ‘strange’ decision against West Ham

Emmanuel Petit was bewildered by Ange Postecoglou’s decision to take James Maddison off at half-time but Glenn Murray had a different take on the substitution.

Ange Postecoglou makes a big call at half-time

Many people were left scratching their heads when Postecoglou decided to take off Maddison at half-time and replace him with a more defensively-minded player in Pape Sarr.

The decision was particularly bewildering as the score was poised at 1-1 at the interval and Tottenham had finished the first-half strongly.

However, the change worked a treat, with Sarr’s introduction helping Spurs win the ball in the middle of the park. This allowed them to attack the Hammers when their backline was exposed, with the home side putting three past their opponents at the start of the second period.

Emmanuel Petit confused about Maddison decision

Petit confessed that he could not make sense of Postecoglou’s decision to withdraw Maddison, describing it as ‘strange’

The former Arsenal midfielder told Optus Sport: “Strange because he’s (Maddison) a really good player. So I was quite surprised. It’s quite strange from the manager.”

However, Glenn Murray pointed out that the tweak did prove to be the right call and that Maddison would not have any reason to complain.

The former Brighton striker said about the substitution: “Obviously it’s an eye-raiser when you do bring James Maddison off, your most creative player.

“But hindsight proves it was the right decision and he won’t be knocking on Ange Postecoglou’s door Monday morning, he hasn’t got any ammunition to do this. That midfield with Bissouma was sured up and they win the game really comfortably.”

Postecoglou clarifies decision

Postecoglou explained in his post-match press conference that he thought West Ham were having too much joy in the middle of the park in the first period and wanted more legs in midfield to nullify their threat.

When asked about the decision, the 59-year-old said (via Football.London): “I just felt West Ham ask you certain questions in midfield areas and I just felt Pape’s running power would help us in the second half.

“They obviously worked hard in the first half and I thought he could give us some real energy. I thought he did really well and he gave us a platform to really threatening every time we want forward and clinical in our football.”

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