Tottenham: Brennan Johnson hands Ange Postecoglou a dilemma for season-defining Europa League tie | OneFootball

The Wales international has given the Tottenham boss food for thought ahead of the crucial Europa League quarter-final

It was Spurs' 5-0 win at St. Mary's in December which finally did for former Saints boss Russell Martin, who faced an ugly mutiny from the home supporters as the visitors racked up the goals before half-time.

And it was Spurs who finally relegated Saints with a low-key 3-1 win over Ivan Juric's side on Sunday, which should restore a modicum of belief in north London ahead of their season-defining Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Given Saints' level, it was difficult to read too much into the result but the performance of Brennan Johnson, who scored twice in the first half, might have given Postecoglou a decision to make ahead of Frankfurt's visit in Thursday's first leg.

"He's always a goal threat," said Postecoglou afterwards. "As a wide player there aren't many around that are a constant goal-threat like he is."

Johnson has struggled for rhythm since the turn of the year and was hooked at half-time on consecutive weekends last month – in the 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth and the defeat at Fulham – suggesting Postecoglou has been frustrated with his performances.

But the Australian added: "He's really important for us in the way we play and I don't think he has been inconsistent this year.

"The disruptions we've had in the team and the ability to get some real cohesion in the group has disrupted everyone this season."

Brennan Johnson now has 11 Premier League goals this season

REUTERS

Wilson Odobert has nonetheless edged ahead of Johnson in the head coach's thinking since returning from a long-term injury in February, cementing his place with a double in the crucial Europa League last-16 decider against AZ Alkmaar but Postecoglou appeared unhappy with the Frenchman's 30-minute cameo against Saints.

"I thought Wilson today didn’t look ready when he came on and only came to life the last 10-15 minutes," he said.

With Spurs captain Heung-min Son certain to start against Frankfurt, in spite of an up-down season of his own, Postecoglou now faces a straight pick between Odobert and Johnson for the right-wing, with the latter's goals on Sunday set to be fresh in his mind.

This year, however, the 23-year-old has only managed to find the net against Saints, a tiring Tamworth in extra-time of the FA Cup third-round and Ipswich, who are also surely set for an immediate return to the Championship.

In common with Spurs as a collective, the Wales international has struggled against organised back lines, which might point to Odobert, whose dribbling and directness are valued by Postecoglou, returning to the XI on Thursday night.

Puzzlingly, Johnson was denied the chance of sealing his hat-trick in stoppage time, despite winning a penalty by drawing a foul from Wellington – moments after Mateus Fernandes' had halved the deficit for Saints.

Instead, substitute Mathys Tel took hold of the ball and Johnson backed down, having appealed for the chance to score a first top-flight treble.

"It's only normal for me to want to take the penalty," Johnson, who appeared visibly down about the incident, told Tottenham's in-house media pitchside.

"I don't want to get into it too much, the conversation was had and Matty stepped up and took it.

"There's only a certain amount of talking to do before it gets quite messy. I've been in the situation before when I've had people wanting to take the ball off me and it kind of unsettles you a little bit.

"I knew the game was pretty much done but still I didn't want to unsettle anyone or start any disagreements. so once the decision was made I just had to get on with it."

I've been in the situation before when I've had people wanting to take the ball off me and it kind of unsettles you a little bit

Brennan Johnson

There is a case that Tel, who has struggled to make an impact since joining Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich on January deadline day, will benefit from the confidence of scoring a first goal in the Premier League and it was not clear if he was the designated penalty-taker, with Postecoglou not asked about the situation afterwards.

Johnson, though, might also have been given a lift from taking home the match-ball, particularly if he is to be given the nod for the biggest game of Spurs' season in four days' time.