Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou says he has "no choice" but to play Timo Werner against Southampton because he is "pulling kids out of school".
Werner was replaced at half-time of Spurs' 1-1 draw at Rangers in the Europa League and Postecoglou described his display as "unacceptable" and not "anywhere near the level" required.
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ANGE ON WERNER 121224
Ange Postecoglou heavily criticised Timo Werner's performance for Tottenham in their Europa League game against Rangers
Tottenham were forced into starting 18-year-old Archie Gray as a makeshift centre-back before bringing on another teenager in Lucas Bergvall with an hour played.
Postecoglou was furious that Werner didn't step up as a senior player but will have to give him another chance on Sunday.
The Spurs boss said: "We've got no choice, I'm pulling kids out of school. I literally am. I'm getting notes from their teachers saying young Lucas (Bergvall) has missed another day of school.
"That was the reasoning for pointing it out, we need Timo, we need all of them.
"He's going to play, of course he's going to play."
When asked on Friday how Werner had or might respond to the comments, Postecoglou said: "I've got no time for that sort of stuff anymore. We're in a fight here, collectively we're in a fight. I'm not going to go around worrying about people's bruised egos.
Timo Werner's stats against Rangers
Image: Timo Werner's stats in the match against Rangers
"We want to achieve things, we want to be successful. We're down to the bare bones in players, if there's somebody in that dressing room who's fit, able to contribute and feels like they need something extra at this moment, he's probably not the right type.
"We had some last night that understand the situation that we're in. We've got 15 fit players, in some positions we've only got two players. I'm not going to go around trying to get extra out of people if they don't give extra right now. That gives me an indication of where they're at."
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'We're in a fight!' | Postecoglou not worried about 'bruised egos'
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said he was not worried about bruised egos after taking Timo Werner off at half-time against Rangers
Postecoglou was then asked if that tied into the wider issue of Spurs' struggle to win a trophy.
Cristian Romero appeared to direct criticism towards the club for a perceived lack of investment after their defeat to Chelsea last weekend, but Postecoglou said: "I'm sick of that. That's an excuse for me. That's why, even with Cristian Romero's comments, I just think that's an excuse.
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Ange Postecoglou revealed that Tottenham defender Cristian Romero has apologised for criticising Spurs bosses over their lack of spending.
Ange Postecoglou revealed earlier this week that Tottenham defender Cristian Romero has apologised for criticising Spurs bosses over a lack of spending.
"At the moment, I'm here, I take responsibility, these players, we're here. If we think some mythical thing exists in this club that prevents success then change it. What's the point otherwise? Don't come here. I just don't buy into that.
"At the moment, we're in a difficult situation because of where we are squad-wise and you either embrace this challenge. If you want excuses, there are a million of them as to why we can't be successful. If that's what your clutch is, particularly in tough moments, what's the point? Move on then. Go somewhere else."
Tottenham's Timo Werner shields the ball from Rangers' James Tavernier during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Glasgow Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Image: Timo Werner shields the ball from Rangers' James Tavernier
In response to whether he regretted his comments about Werner, Postecoglou said: "No, it wasn't criticism, it was assessment. If we've played poorly, we've played poorly. With Timo, it wasn't about whether he'd played well or not, we had a really difficult game.
"I'm asking 18-year-olds to do massive jobs and you've got senior players - he's a senior player, he's an international, won the Champions League - that there's a level of application and performance you need to rise to, to help the team. He didn't reach that.
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ANGE AND RANGERS 121224
Sky Sports' Michael Bridge and Gordon Duncan analyse Tottenham's draw with Rangers in the Europa League
"Me taking him off at half-time was a statement enough. The same way I won't hide behind team performances, it's not different to players or anyone else."
Analysis: Bullish Postecoglou doing things his way
Ange Postecoglou
Sky Sports' News' Paul Gilmour:
The post-match answer on Timo Werner at Ibrox got everyone talking and little over 12 hours later Postecoglou was back at the Spurs training ground previewing the weekend fixture against Southampton.
Not for the first time Postecoglou was box office. He was bullish, unphased and remarkably relaxed despite the injury troubles and recent form. He spoke of being up for the battle and was even compared to a General by one reporter.
Postecoglou knows what he wants and if he doesn't get it, he will be honest as he demonstrated after the Rangers game. He's doing things his way and it should be no surprise to anyone.
He rejected the use of the word criticism and preferred to file it under "feedback". A manager is there to offer performance feedback and, in any industry in the world, that is considered normal.
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou
Of course, the difference here is the public element of it and we've repeatedly heard in football that this kind of feedback in front of the cameras doesn't go down well. I couldn't help but feel, while listening to Postecoglou, that he's doing his best to be demanding of a thin squad at a crucial point in the season, especially those experienced players.
On a few occasions he found time to joke, and while talking up Archie Gray's performance, pointed to the fact the 18-year-old has a bright future before adding: "The next manager will love him."
Attention turns back to the pitch, and before the Manchester United League Cup tie, all eyes will be on St Mary's as both Saints and Spurs go marching into battle.