Former Premier League forward-turned-pundit Troy Deeney gave a harsh verdict on Antonin Kinsky’s actions following the Czech’s substitution just 17 minutes into Spurs’ 5-2 Champions League round of 16 first-leg defeat away at Atletico Madrid.
On Tuesday (10 March), Igor Tudor’s side were embarrassed in a rampant display by Diego Simeone’s Atletico at the Metropolitano.
Spurs conceded three times within 15 minutes during the first half, with Champions League debutant Kinsky replaced by the usual first-choice Guglielmo Vicario after just 17 minutes, following two errors which led to goals.
Spurs did salvage some credit, with Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke netting either side of Julian Alvarez’s second goal and Atletico’s fifth shortly after the half-time interval.
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However, Spurs have an uphill task to overturn a three-goal deficit in next Wednesday’s second leg in north London.
Following the match, pundits focused on Tudor’s harsh decision to withdraw Kinsky after 17 minutes, with Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, who was working for CBS Sports, saying that “Tudor has completely destroyed his career – I feel really sorry for him.”
The former goalkeeper added: “When his name is mentioned in the future, the whole football world will remember this moment. He needed to be supported, at least until half-time.”
Former Spurs shot-stopper Joe Hart also waded in and said his heart was “absolutely broken” for Kinsky.
Speaking on TNT Sports, the former England goalkeeper said: “He had a horrible 14 minutes – that slip and the third goal. I don’t know what to say. I am just heartbroken for the lad. This Tottenham team is all over the place.”
But Deeney was not so kind and did not hold back when offering his thoughts on CBS.
Deeney said: “We’ve all been subbed when a player gets sent off. You sit next to your team, you ride it out together. He’s having a poor time, you get dragged… by the way, he made the mistakes, not the manager, no-one else, he made the mistakes. Manager makes the change, you have to sit with your team.”
The former Watford man was then asked whether the Spurs ‘keeper was right to avoid showing emotions while the cameras were on him as he walked off.
“No, because we’re in a situation where, as a team and a group, we’re in the trenches now,” Deeney replied.
“You don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself, you don’t have time to go and gather your thoughts, we’re all in this.”
Several fans also offered their takes on social media, with some disagreeing with the pundit’s stance.
One said: “Absolutely disagree with this take. He needed space and not a stadium full of Atletico fans heckling him for 80 more minutes.”
Another added: “Easier said than done! If Deeney were in that position, I would have done the same thing. For someone who is not a starter to cost the game so much… You think he is just going to go sit and push the team to do more? Deeney was and still is a failed player!”
A third claimed: “Spoken like someone that’s never played a last-16 game in the Champions League in front of millions worldwide. Knocked a couple of goals in for Watford and had the audacity to sit here chastising someone doing it at the top level. Modern punditry for you.”
Spurs return to action against Liverpool at Anfield on 15 March.
Topics: Tottenham Hotspur, Champions League, Troy Deeney, Football
Luke Davies