Ange Should Have Substituted “Invisible” Johnson Instead of Bergvall

Tottenham Hotspur struggled once again, falling 2-1 to Newcastle United despite a valiant effort from Ange Postecoglou’s injury-ravaged squad. While the result seemed almost inevitable given Spurs’ current crisis, there were some bright spots – particularly the performance of 18-year-old midfielder Lucas Bergvall.

Bergvall impressed in central midfield against Newcastle’s dynamic engine room before being surprisingly substituted after 62 minutes. Many fans and pundits questioned this decision, especially as ineffective winger Brennan Johnson remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.

Johnson struggled to make an impact throughout the match, missing two good chances and failing to provide adequate support in attack. Meanwhile, Bergvall looked composed beyond his years, completing 82% of his passes and winning 4 out of 5 duels before being withdrawn.

Postecoglou could have easily shifted Dejan Kulusevski to the right wing in place of the “invisible” Johnson, allowing Bergvall to continue dictating play in midfield. This adjustment may have given Spurs a better chance at mounting a comeback in the final half hour.

While Tottenham’s injury crisis has severely limited Postecoglou’s options, the decision to remove one of his most effective players on the day was puzzling. As Spurs continue to struggle, the manager will need to maximize the contributions of in-form players like Bergvall to turn results around.

Despite another disappointing loss, the emergence of young talents like Bergvall provides hope for Tottenham’s future. If Postecoglou can nurture these prospects while navigating the current injury crisis, brighter days may be ahead for the North London club.