Brennan Johnson struggles clear after jarring moment with Tottenham fans but late winner offers fresh hope

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Evening Standard

·20 September 2024

Brennan Johnson struggles clear after jarring moment with Tottenham fans but late winner offers fresh hope

Johnson deactivated his Instagram account earlier this week following online abuse

There were two clips of Brennan Johnson doing the rounds on social media following Tottenham's last-gasp win over Coventry in the EFL Cup.

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One was obviously Johnson's 92nd-minute winner, a cute first-time finish that was just about the only piece of real quality from Ange Postecoglou's side all night.

The other was of Johnson being ushered over to the away end by Spurs captain Heung-min Son after the game to applaud the travelling supporters. Spurs' match-winner appears sheepish and acknowledged the fans for only a second or two before turning away.

Perhaps the clip was a poor representation of Johnson's true feelings but it looked uncomfortable and the context here is that he has deactivated his Instagram account since Sunday's defeat to Arsenal after being targeted by abuse, presumably much of it from so-called Spurs fans.

It was jarring to see a young player appear so uneasy after what should have been a hugely positive moment in his season, and perhaps even his career.

While a degree of scrutiny comes with the territory for Premier League footballers, it goes without saying that no player deserves abuse for simply not playing at their best, particularly someone like Johnson, who seems to be one of the good guys. Last year, he paid for 150 Christmas Day meals for the homeless and emergency service workers in his home town of Nottingham.

Ange Postecoglou has backed Brennan Johnson to come good for Spurs

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Before Wednesday's game, Postecoglou acknowledged that the 23-year-old is "lacking a bit of confidence" - and he is not the only one at Spurs right now - and offered a scathing put-down of the winger's online trolls.

“Criticism is one thing, exasperation at a game, you accept that," the Spurs head coach said.

"To sit down and write something abusive anonymously… say it in front of me, you’ll get a punch on the nose, you won’t do it again, mate. But they won’t do that. They’ll hide behind this… I hate that it’s normalised but unfortunately that’s the world we live in.”

In common with every one of Postecoglou's forwards, Johnson is yet to get going this season and he was flat in the north London derby, well-marshalled by Arsenal's Jurrien Timber.

Johnson did not decide his £47.5milllion price-tag but he has struggled to justify it since joining Spurs from Nottingham Forest last summer.

He has shown flashes of quality, including his finish on Wednesday, and finished last season with 15 goal contributions, including 10 assists, in the top-flight from 32 appearances - not bad going, really.

He tended to be most effective from the bench against tired legs, helping Spurs to comeback wins against Brentford, Brighton and Crystal Palace at home, but often appeared hesitant and cautious, perhaps speaking to his lack of confidence.

The talent is there, though, and Postecoglou, for one, sees enormous upside in the Wales international.

"When I look at Brennan and I see a young man who is trying his hardest to be the best he can be," the manager said on Tuesday.

"It doesn’t always guarantee success and it’s part of his journey how he deals with all this [the online abuse]. But he’s a great kid, a great footballer and I’m very optimistic about what he’s going to do for us.”

Postecoglou was quick to play down the prospect of the late win over Coventry kickstarting Spurs' stuttering season - "I don't think there are quick fixes or easy turnarounds," he said - but could the evening be an important juncture for Johnson at Spurs?

With Wilson Odobert and Timo Werner both forced off with injury on Wednesday, Johnson looks set to play a major role for Spurs in a run of six games before the international break. The hope is that his winning goal will prove a turning point.