Postecoglou hails Johnson for strong mentality after difficult few weeks

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has praised Brennan Johnson for his resilience following the winger’s decisive performance in Spurs’ 3-1 win over Brentford in the Premier League.

Johnson played a crucial role by scoring the team’s second goal on the road to a comeback against the Bees.

Johnson’s recent form comes after a tough period where the 23-year-old faced harsh criticism on social media, prompting him to deactivate his Instagram account following Spurs’ defeat in the North London derby.

However, the winger quickly bounced back, scoring the winner in the Carabao Cup against Coventry City and following it up with another goal against Brentford just days later.

Reflecting on Johnson’s week, Postecoglou shared his admiration for the player’s response:

“Brennan’s had a top week. He scored in the cup to get us through and scored the winner today. He was a real threat all the way through,“ Postecoglou said in the post-match press conference.

Two words:

Brennan. Johnson. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4ZR7yFOkPv

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 21, 2024

“He had a bit of a tough period last week, but sometimes that gives you perspective about what’s important, and what matters most to Brennan is being a much-loved teammate.”

The Spurs boss highlighted Johnson’s dedication and work ethic, reassuring fans that he would continue to make a significant impact for the club.

“Anyone who watches Brennan play can see how much effort he puts in every week. He works as hard as he can for the team, and it’s clear how much he cares,” Postecoglou said.

“Every footballer faces tough moments, but Brennan has handled it well. When future challenges come—and they always do—he’ll know what’s truly important to him.”

Tottenham found themselves trailing early on Saturday, with Brentford scoring within the first minute.

However, Spurs responded quickly, equalising through Dominic Solanke just seven minutes later.

Our goalscorers 🫶 pic.twitter.com/XJ1yV1FkiL

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 21, 2024

Johnson’s goal then put them in the lead, with James Maddison sealing the victory with a late second-half goal.

And Postecoglou was pleased with how his team responded to the early setback.

“It wasn’t the ideal start, but the boys just went at it. We knew Brentford would be aggressive, but we thrive on that part of the game,” he said.

“We brought our own energy and intensity, and we were relentless throughout the match. We fully deserved the win.”