Ange Postecoglou picked up his first point as Tottenham manager this afternoon, playing out a 2-2 draw with London rivals, Brentford.
Spurs took the lead early in the match after James Maddison whipped in a trademark freekick, only for Cristian Romero to beat the offside trap and thunder a header home.
Unfortunately, the Argentine defender was then asked to remove himself from the action after sustaining a knock to the head a few moments before his goal.
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford and Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur down after a clash of heads during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Gtech Community Stadium on August 13, 2023 in Brentford, England. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Brentford then hit Tottenham with a quickfire double, first from the spot after Heung-min Son was adjudged to have fouled his man, then on the break through Yoane Wissa.
Spurs answered the challenge just before the half-time whistle, somewhat out of nowhere as Emerson Royal let leash from range and found the bottom corner.
The Lilywhites then largely dominated proceedings in the second 45, although couldn’t find a way through Brentford’s low block and the points were fairly shared.
Spurs filled in the wrong form for Romero sub
On Romero, Postecoglou said (BBC at 16:31): “I thought it was quite evident, he hurt his head. We’re in an era where we know about these things so I’m not a doctor and anytime that happens I think it’s really important that we protect the players.
“They don’t know themselves what’s going on and I had medical advice. The disappointing thing for me was that we filled in the wrong form for a concussion substitute so in this day and age when we are talking about player care, a piece of paper is not important.
“No hesitation in taking him off, obviously the player wants to continue but he’s not the one who makes that decision.”
He added: “Romero had a head knock and the medical team were watching him the whole time. Their information was that he wasn’t that steady and with his head after scoring, I’m not taking any risks in that scenario in this day and age and what we know of head injuries.
“The last person you want to be directed by is the player himself. He has no idea. The disappointing thing is that apparently we filled out the wrong form fore a concussion sub. That is madness in this day and age. It is pretty clear why we took the guy off.
“It is black and white for us, we’re not going to take any risks with our people when we know what the repercussions are. He seems fine but the player is not the one who knows these things.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
A great first outing for Ange and the players. Adapting to a brand new system, especially one so contrasting to what the squad has been used to over the past three years, is not easy at all. But the lads rose to the challenge and earned themselves a good platform from which to build.
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