James Maddison: Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has ‘no problem’ with darts visit
Tottenham Hotspur manager Angie Postecoglou says he has “no problem” with watching darts despite James Maddison not being able to play due to illness.
The England midfielder was due to start last Sunday’s home game against Wolves at 15:00 GMT but was only deemed fit and relegated to the bench.
He came on in the 64th minute of the team’s 2-2 draw.
Hours later, he appeared alongside team-mate Brennan Johnson at the World Darts Championship match between Luke Humphries and Peter Wright at London’s Alexandra Palace.
“I have no problem with the lives of the players,” Postkoglu said. “There’s a big difference between trying to play a game of football and living a life. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that and I don’t think it’s hurt him.
“He’s not 100 per cent yet and this is a game where we need someone to be 100 per cent. He’s still good enough to play.
“If he was bedridden and didn’t play and then still went to darts, then there might be something wrong there. But I don’t have any problem with that.”
Maddison, who celebrated his goal by pretending to throw a dart, has eight goals and five assists in 26 games this season.
“I still think the key for Mads is keeping him healthy, keeping him healthy, keeping him sharp, which is not playing every game, especially with the scheme we have,” Postkoglu said .
“When he comes on this year he’s scoring high numbers and he’s always having an impact on games and that’s what we need him to continue to do.”
