Spurs boss Postecoglou has no problem with Maddison’s darting output

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said he had no problem with James Maddison going to watch the PDC World Darts Championship just hours after the midfielder failed to start in the 2-2 home draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers due to illness.

Maddison, who came on as a 64th-minute substitute against Wolves on Sunday, was pictured alongside Spurs team-mate Brennan Johnson at the round of 16 clash between Luke Humphries and Peter Wright at Alexandra Palace in the North London.

Injury-hit Spurs drew against Wolves after goals from Rodrigo Bentancur and Johnson, leaving them languishing in 11th place with 24 points from 19 games, the first time they have finished the year below seventh since the 2008-09 season.

“I have no problem with the players having life,” Postecoglou told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home clash against fifth-placed Newcastle United.

“It’s very different trying to play a game of football and living a life. I don’t see any problem with that and I don’t think it hurt him. He wasn’t 100% and it was a game where we needed someone who was 100%. He was still well enough to play.

“If he was bedridden, didn’t show up for the game and then went to darts, there may be a problem there. But I didn’t have any problem with that.”

The PDC World Darts Championship concluded on Friday with 17-year-old sensation Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest PDC World Darts Champion.

Postecoglou was happy with Maddison, 28, who has scored eight goals in 19 league games this season.

“I still think the key with Madders is to keep him fit, healthy, in shape, and that’s not playing every game, especially with the program we have,” Postecoglou added. REUTERS

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