Brennan Johnson dismisses mocking Arsenal chant as Tottenham block out the critics | OneFootball

Spurs’ top scorer only interested in thoughts of his team-mates and manager

Brennan Johnson says he has long since switched off from Tottenham's critics, as he targeted winning the Europa League to finish a tough season in the best possible way.

The competition is Spurs last chance to salvage a dismal campaign, with Postecoglou's side 14th in the table and out of both domestic cups.

Arsenal fans gleefully chanted 'Are you Tottenham in disguise?' at Real Madrid as the team beat the holders 3-0 in the Champions League last night and Johnson was asked if the barbs from the club's critics were motivation in Europe: "Personally, I just want to win it for the group of players and the staff.

"I don't really care about what other people sing and the critics, to be honest. I feel like I switched off from that a long time ago.

We've had some tough times and there'd be no better joy to celebrate with the people that have had to go through it like I have as well

Brennan Johnson

"I love the lads, all the players in the squad, all the staff, the management team. I feel like we've created a really tight-knit group and I feel like we've all been under a lot of criticism, maybe different people at different points. So it's something that we can all kind of relate to, so we all have that understanding with each other.

"When it comes to tournaments like this and being able to progress, it's something that we just want to do for each other because at the end of the day, we've had some tough times and there'd be no better joy to celebrate with the people that have had to go through it like I have as well."

Johnson's well-taken brace against Saints took him to 16 goals in all competitions this season and 11 in the Premier League, leaving him as Spurs' leading scorer.

“It is something that I am definitely proud of. It was a target for me at the start of the season to score more goals than I did last season," he said.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into it, positionally, the types of finishes that I want to improve at. Sixteen goals is something I’m very happy with.

"[The system] just suits me because the players we have, the profiles, a lot of fast players, so when the ball gets crossed, there tends to be a lot of space for the ball to go all the way across the pitch and it’s just about me gambling on what position to be in.

"More times than not this season I’ve been in the right position.

"Work does go on on the training ground, there’s a lot of coaches who do a lot of work with me which I’m really appreciative of.

Brennan Johnson is Spurs’ top scorer this season

Getty Images

"There is work that goes into it. But it’s quite instinctive as well, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

"One [example of the work I've done] would be...the first goal on the weekend: noticing that Dom [Solanke] made the run to the front post, and being in position when the ball gets cut back on my left foot.

"I think something like that — I had been told not to try and hit the ball too hard because it's coming at quite a pace. So, when it's on my left foot, not thinking about it too much, just trying to get a good contact on it.

“Also, there's a lot of work that goes into trying to hit the ball into the ground, trying to make it hard for the goalkeepers. That's another tip that I've got this season.

“So, little things like this to keep in mind. I know, in a game, it's kind of hard to think about all the things that you've been told, but little things like this, if you keep practising it kind of sticks.”

Johnson won a stoppage-time penalty against Saints but was denied the chance at a hat-trick when substitute Mathys Tel stepped up and converted instead following a conversation with the Wales winger.

Mathys Tel scored the penalty against Southampton

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"All of us attacking players, if there’s a chance to score from 12 yards without it being contested, all of us would want to take it," Johnson said.

"Once the decision had been made it’s not really my nature to argue or have a fight about who takes a penalty.

"I’ve been in that situation before, where people are really reluctant to let someone else have a penalty and it can put you off. So once the ball was with Mathys I just wanted to get on the edge of the box and support him.

"He put it away and he’s a quality player as well so it’s not like I’m doubting his quality. As soon as the ball was put in his hands I backed him to score."

Postecoglou suggested Spurs' critics were trying to turn "gold into crap" by making the situation into an issue and insisted that Tel taking and scoring the spot-kick was an example of "winning mentality".

Johmson said: "I agree [with the manager]. I think we’re going to go into competitions that if it goes down to penalties or if there’s a penalty to be taken, there’s so much on the line so it’s about who is feeling the most confident, who is performing the best, who is performing the best and whoever is on penalties will take the penalty so I agree.

"In this tournament, it’s not about giving people free goals, it’s about scoring goals and if we get an opportunity to increase our lead, or get a goal back we have to make sure we score the goal so I agree with what he said about it."