SPURS LEFT DIZZY
Vertonghen injury drama as Poch slams his flops
TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino tore into his players after their Champions League defeat by Ajax last night.
Pochettino, who lost Jan Vertonghen after he suffered a nasty blow to the head, said: ‘They were more proactive, showed more energy and it was difficult for us to play. Our lack of energy, that
made our game difficult. In the second half we pushed them, tried to create some chances. ‘But we are alive and we need to believe we can go there and win the game.’ Donny van de Beek’s 15th-minute goal gave Ajax the advantage going into the second leg in Amsterdam next Wednesday. Pochettino said: ‘First half we started really not in a good way. After we conceded we started to be in the game and after the injury to Vertonghen, Moussa Sissoko provided good energy and we played better.’ Having started with a back three, Pochettino reverted to a back four before half-time. The Argentine admitted he had made the wrong call with his starting formation, saying: ‘I can accept it was a mistake. I am not happy. You cannot guess if we play in a different shape that we maybe play in a different game. ‘We had a lack of aggression and we were sloppy. That’s my responsibility as the manager. Ajax have the advantage but the semi-final is still open.’ Ajax’s classy first half display was overshadowed by the worrying scenes involving Vertonghen, who appeared to be concussed after a three-way collision with team-mate Toby Alderweireld and Ajax keeper Andre Onana. After receiving lengthy treatment and a consultation with medics, Vertonghen was allowed to re-enter the field, but it quickly became apparent he was not fit to continue as he looked to suffer with dizziness and even appeared to retch. Pochettino said: ‘I didn’t see him so we will assess in the next few days and we’ll see.’ But former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin said on BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘I had so much concussion during my career. You have to stay still and do exactly what you are told. ‘Going back on the pitch was incredibly risky for Vertonghen because if there was any challenge near him, it could have been terrible. If the player is saying he is OK, it is difficult for a medical professional to say “No you cannot go back on”.’
DAWN ASTLE hit out at Spurs’ decision to allow Jan Vertonghen to play on after an horrific head injury. Vertonghen collided with team-mate Toby Alderweireld and Ajax keeper Andre Onana on 33 minutes and received attention before going off for checks. He was given the all-clear and Spurs prepared to send him back on. Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz asked if he was OK, as per UEFA guidelines, but Vertonghen signalled quickly for help and went off. ‘I literally cannot believe what I’ve just seen,’ tweeted campaigner Dawn, whose father Jeff played for West Bromwich and died in 2002 due to a type of dementia caused by brain trauma.