‘I feel sorry’ for Scarlett after he’s badly let down at Tottenham – pundit
Noel Whelan has admitted he “feels sorry” for Dane Scarlett after starting for Tottenham in the 1-0 defeat to Vitesse Arnhem.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Leeds striker insisted the 17-year-old’s teammates let him down in Thursday night’s surprise loss.
Scarlett led the line for Spurs in the Netherlands, playing 75 minutes before being substituted off.
It was his third start in seven senior appearances for Tottenham to date.
He also started the 5-1 win over NS Mura.
Whelan insisted Spurs let themselves and Nuno Espirito Santo down on Thursday night.
He admitted Scarlett would not progress and develop properly if those he plays alongside do not perform.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “The thing is, if other people aren’t producing, the experienced players around you, I feel sorry for young players.
“It makes it a lot more difficult for them to progress and improve in their own game.
“The players let the manager down. The manager gave a chance to the players out there.
“There’s no doubt in my mind they should be going out and winning that game, whether they leave star men out or not.
“It just puts more pressure on the players and the manager when you can’t go across and beat a team you should be beating. It still shows underlying problems with players’ attitudes.”
A graduate of the Spurs youth academy, Scarlett netted 22 goals in 19 appearances for the under-18s last season.
He has also featured for the under-23s, scoring three goals in seven games.
In other news, pundit rips into £40million-rated Tottenham star after starting against Vitesse.