‘Hard watch this’ – Brennan Johnson shows just how much abuse from fans has affected him after Tottenham’s comeback cup win against Coventry.
Spurs were just minutes away from being dumped out of the Carabao Cup Third Round. Late goals from Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson sent Ange Postecoglu’s side through after Brandon Thomas-Asante gave Coventry the lead.
Johnson silenced the abusers by keeping Tottenham in the competition, and after the final whistle, he walked over to the packed out away end with Son.
He loosely applauds and struggled to show much emotion to the Spurs fans opposite him, suddenly turning away from them after Son gives him a little push to have a moment with the travelling support.
Earlier this week, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou defended Brennan Johnson and condemned the social media abuse aimed at the Spurs forward following Sunday’s north London derby.
The 23 year old ended up deactivating his Instagram account after the 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal, and his his manager said that he hates how abuse on social media has become so commonplace for young players.
This was our MATCH WINNER Brennan Johnson.
Look what people done to him he didn’t even want to celebrate after all the crap he has recieved from our fans.
Keep pushing Brennan and thanks for saving us tonight 👏🏻#THFC #COYS #COVTOT #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/TwrjJ4wJ03
— SeanSlaterTHFC 💫 (@SeanSlaterTHFC) September 18, 2024
Johnson has had an inconsistent start to his Spurs career following a £45m move from Nottingham Forest last summer, netting five goals and registering 10 assists in 38 total appearances across all competitions.
“I hate how we’ve just normalised all that stuff,” Postecoglou said prior to of Tottenham’s Carabao Cup trip to Coventry.
“You’re talking about a young guy who is probably lacking a bit of confidence at the moment. Things haven’t gone his way.
“But he comes here every day, he’s working his backside off, he’s asking for feedback, he’s doing everything right, he’s trying so hard to become the player he wants to be, it’s hurting him a lot.
“It’s not like he’s out on the town and he doesn’t care and he rolls up late. So what’s his crime? His crime is he isn’t performing at the level that people expect of him.
“As a professional footballer you’ve got to expect that you’re going get criticism about that, that’s part of your growth. He’s still a young player and I think there is so much more of Brennan that we’re going bring out in him.
“It’s sad for me that we’ve kind of normalised that stuff. That getting abuse, and it is abuse and a lot of it personal, is oh well, that’s part of the territory. I don’t see that. I mean what kind of person writes abusive things to an individual?
“Criticism is one thing, exasperation at a game, you accept that. To sit down and write something abusive anonymously… say it in front of me, you’ll get a punch on the nose, you won’t do it again, mate.
“But they won’t do that. They’ll hide behind this…unfortunately that’s the world we live in. When I look at Brennan and I see a young man who is trying his hardest to be the best he can be.
“It doesn’t always guarantee success and it’s part of his journey how he deals with all this. But he’s a great kid, a great footballer and I’m very optimistic about what he’s going to do for us.”
When asked what Johnson’s winner will do for his confidence, Postecoglou said: “Hopefully a great deal.
“He’s a fantastic young man, a great player. I have a lot of time for him because he works so hard on his game every day.
“Like all attacking players there is always a spotlight on them if things aren’t working out.
“It’s part of his journey and if he can come out of the other side of this and show who he can be he will benefit greatly from it.
“He took his goal well tonight and he made a good impact.”
“I think that’s happened too many times for us this season, too chaotic.”
Brennan Johnson and Archie Gray reflect on Tottenham’s dramatic comeback against Coventry 😲 pic.twitter.com/iU65DBBJ47
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 18, 2024
This one goes out to everyone who didn’t force Brennan Johnson to close his IG account. #coys pic.twitter.com/CG1lbm3KaN
— Rachel Martin Legacy Fan 🕊 (@RachelVMartin) September 18, 2024
Tottenham goalscorer Brennan Johnson speaking to Sky Sports: “It was really difficult. There wasn’t one part of us that underestimated Coventry. We have played them a few times and know they play good football. At times we let them off too easy and gave them too many chances. We were under some real pressure but we will always keep going.”
On chaos in the game: “That has happened too many times. It has been a bit too chaotic. We gave the ball away too many times, we weren’t too much of a threat. For most of the game we didn’t play forward enough. The goals came from quick play and that’s what we want to do more often.”
On his goal: “It was really nice. It’s a great feeling to score especially so late. To get in the next round is really important. Penalties is a toss of a coin so getting the goal really late was very beneficial.”
Coventry boss Mark Robins speaking to Sky Sports: “For the most part we defended really well when we needed to but also played some good football when we could.
“We worked hard because they worked hard out of possession. I always want us to be brave in possession. We went a bit too long too soon but then settled down into some decent rhythm.
“That’s what we have to take out of this game, we have to be more ruthless.
“We deserved something out of that game and we should have gone on and won it.”
This is how fans reacted as Brennan Johnson shows just how much abuse from fans has affected him…
Steve Hale: Great to see, happy for him! Hope he hears some positive words from fans to boost his confidence not crush him to dust! COYS
Bjørn Kåre Søderholm: I have said it before and I say it again, BJ will be one of our best players!!!
Steven Archibald: Great finish Brennan lad.
Jill Fensome: We were terrible and didn’t deserve to win but so very glad he scored will give him a boast 😍
Graeme Swannell: Superb finish Brennan Johnson what a relief to get through to the next round of the Carabao Cup
Damien Martin Müller: Where’s all the Brennan haters at now??? End of the day all these comments ive seen recently and about any footballer and slating them non stop isnt gonna make them play better. Prob worse.
Steve Hale: We Played poorly but eventually scored 2 great goals, so happy Brennan got the winner, well done mate, now let’s show the haters what you got!
Hedley Paris: Just what the two berated boys needed. Top lad, kept his chin up and became the hero today. Well done Brennan, keep at it!!
Al Griffin: Good comeback. Good to see the youngsters getting important minutes. Very pleased for Brennan & Djed getting a goal each. This will build confidence. I hope Wilson & Timo are ok and we see Richi & Biss back soon. Better days ahead COYS!
Spurs Updates: Pleased for Johnson but we got very lucky tonight. We need to be doing better
Dan Clark: Genuinely am pleased for Spence & Johnson. Especially Brennan after the abuse this week
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