Speaking after the hard-fought victory over Luton Town at the weekend, James Maddison insisted there is still more to come from this Tottenham Hotspur side, and explained how the players are developing the mentality of being a ‘top team.’
Wins over the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool have been impressive this season, but securing three points against newly-promoted Luton Town on Saturday afternoon proved to be just as difficult for Spurs.
Their task was made all the more tricky thanks to Yves Bissouma‘s mindless dive and subsequent sending-off, but the Lilywhites got there in the end through a finely worked Micky van de Ven goal.
The Dutch defender claimed his first goal for Spurs to win the game, but it all came from some wizardry from Tottenham’s new star, James Maddison.
That was Maddison’s fifth assist of the season already (Transfermarkt), and helps Ange Postecoglou‘s men maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign. Spurs now head into the international break at the top of the Premier League table.
LUTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 07: Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammate James Maddison after scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Tottenham Hotspur at Kenilworth Road on October 07, 2023 in Luton, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
Spurs have more to give, says James Maddison
In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Maddison touched on the success at the weekend, and looked ahead to what this Spurs side have to offer for the rest of the season and beyond.
On the latest victory, he said: “You get the same three points [at Luton] as you do beating Liverpool and United at home. It’s just as important. I absolutely loved the character of the lads.
“You have 38 games in a season and not every game is going to be pretty, scoring goals, free-flowing, ‘AngeBall’. Sometimes you have to dig deep and show the grit and determination.
“People are always asking top teams, do they have that side to them? The top teams all do and we want to be a top team. I’m so happy we showed that.”
Maddison isn’t getting carried away, though, adding: “We’re so early into the manager’s reign. We’re at the start. Even in training, sometimes the messages he’s giving us, it’s still new, we’re still working on it. It’s not like we’re three years in.
“Of course, it’s better to be up [at the top] than the other end. Believe me, I’ve done both! I just want to continue that, continue working and that will leave it us where it leaves us.”
And, discussing the idea of a potential title challenge, Maddison concluded: “I probably didn’t expect us to be top of the league, unbeaten, no. Realistically you would never even guess that far ahead. You just want to start well and we’re looking to continue that.”
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It’s a very interesting point Maddison makes about all wins having the same value, and he’s absolutely right. It was tough against Luton when it shouldn’t have been, but that victory will build the character of the squad and as he says, it’s the real sign of a top team to battle and grind out those kinds of wins.
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