Spurs fans convinced TV cameras picked up James Maddison send damning Ange Postecoglou message during AZ Alkmaar defeat

Tottenham Hotspur’s supporters may have spotted James Maddison sending Ange Postecoglou a damning message during their Europa League round of 16 clash against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday - but fans have different takes on the incident.

Spurs put in a poor performance overall, and Lucas Bergvall’s own goal on 18 minutes was the only strike of the game as the Premier League outfit fell to a 1-0 defeat at the AFAS Stadion.

Of course, they do have the opportunity to turn it around in the second leg, which will take place in north London on Thursday, 13 March.

Nonetheless, fans were not pleased with Postecoglou’s side, as they registered just one shot on target despite dominating the ball with 62 percent possession compared to AZ’s 38 percent - although the home side registered five shots on target.

Several fans on social media called out Spurs' supposed lack of effort, but Postecoglou leapt to his players’ defence when speaking after the match.

"I don’t think it’s a matter of effort or attitude, I don’t think it is going out there and not trying, but we didn’t really come to grips and have the right mindset to tackle an away fixture in Europe,” said Postecoglou.

However, during the night, fans think TV cameras spotted Maddison, 28, questioning his manager’s tactics while sat on the bench alongside captain Son Heung-min.

Although exactly what the England international said is unclear, but fans on social media think they have figured it out.

One said: "Clearly mutters, 'it’s the same play style all the time, what’s he seeing'.

"We can see it as fans, the results show it, and the players on live T.V."

Another added: "The problem yesterday is the players don't know what the plan is."

A third explained: "I think (being serious) he's saying 'player'.

"Watching it back he's either referring to one of theirs who was constantly getting away with small fouls."

As a fourth commented: "Perhaps they were still discussing possibly the worst free kick routine I've ever seen."

Spurs will return to Premier League action when they play hosts to Andoni Iraola's in-form Bournemouth team on Sunday 9 March.