Tottenham Hotspur’s home fixture against Fulham took an unexpected turn as a section of Spurs supporters voiced their frustration with Timo Werner, calling for the German striker to be dropped indefinitely. Werner, who joined Spurs this summer amid much fanfare, endured a nightmare first half that left fans questioning his place in the team.
A Torrid 15 Minutes
The match started with optimism, as Spurs looked to maintain their strong home record. However, Werner’s performance quickly turned into a spectacle for all the wrong reasons. Within the first 15 minutes, he squandered two clear-cut chances, including a one-on-one opportunity that he tamely shot straight at Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Moments later, a poor first touch from Werner resulted in a counterattack that almost saw Fulham take the lead.
The tipping point came when Werner misjudged a straightforward pass, leading to a collective groan from the home crowd. His inability to link up effectively with teammates or impose himself on the game compounded frustrations, and his body language suggested a player low on confidence.
Fans React
Social media was ablaze with criticism as Spurs fans vented their disappointment. Comments like “Werner should never wear a Tottenham shirt again” and “15 minutes was enough to see he doesn’t belong here” were indicative of the collective sentiment.
One fan tweeted:
“Timo Werner is single-handedly slowing down every attack. How do we keep playing him? Embarrassing.”
Another added:
> “I’d rather see anyone from the academy start than Werner. This experiment needs to end NOW.”
A Troubled Start at Spurs
Werner’s move to Tottenham was seen as an opportunity for him to reignite his career after a mixed spell at Chelsea and a return to RB Leipzig. While his pace and work rate were touted as assets, his struggles in front of goal were well-documented, and those issues have seemingly followed him to north London.
Before the Fulham game, Werner had registered just one goal in 10 Premier League appearances, despite playing in an attacking system designed to create chances. Manager Ange Postecoglou has repeatedly backed the striker, emphasizing patience as he adjusts to his new surroundings. However, patience among fans appears to be wearing thin.
What’s Next for Werner?
Postecoglou was visibly frustrated on the sidelines during the game, though he refrained from singling out Werner in his post-match comments. When asked about the German’s performance, he said:
> “It’s never about one player. We had chances to take control, and we didn’t. Timo is working hard, and we’ll keep supporting him.”
Despite the manager’s assurances, it remains to be seen whether Werner will retain his place in the starting lineup. With Richarlison and Son Heung-min capable of playing centrally, Postecoglou has options should he choose to bench Werner.
Final Thoughts
Werner’s short-lived tenure at Spurs is quickly becoming a talking point, with fans calling for drastic measures. While it may be too early to completely write him off, his performances must improve to justify his spot in the team. Football is a game of second chances, but for Timo Werner, it seems those chances are rapidly running out at Tottenham.
The upcoming fixtures could be make-or-break for the striker, as Spurs fans expect a swift response from both the player and the team. Will Werner bounce back, or has his time in North London already reached its breaking point? Only time will tell.
