Danny Rose’s angry reaction proves he cares about Tottenham, says Danny Murphy

Mauricio Pochettino and Danny Rose
Robbie Stephenson/Rex Features
Danny Murphy25 November 2017

I am not surprised Mauricio Pochettino is pleased with Danny Rose’s reaction to missing out on the north London derby. He is glad he was angry to be left out of the Arsenal game, because it shows that he cares.

I like the honesty that Rose showed when he said he was fuming not to be playing last weekend. If he did want a move that much and he did not care about Tottenham, then he would not mind. At least he wants to play and is not sulking on the bench, thinking, ‘I am going to be leaving here in the summer anyway’. He looks determined to stay, fight and get on with it.

As a manager, if my players are fuming that they are not playing, that would make me happy. I might not want them to say it to the world, but if a player says in an interview that he is fuming, then fair enough, I will take that. I quite like that, and I understand why Pochettino does not have a problem with that at all. And Tottenham supporters will feel the same.

I would be disappointed if a player was not disappointed to be left out of a big game. It is how they channel that disappointment. He was chosen to play against Borussia Dortmund, reacted the right way and was part of a team who won in a very difficult place to get a result.

Whatever Rose said in the summer, it will be forgotten if he continues to play well and show the passion he did in the Dortmund game — and then the interview that followed it. The fans will respect that.

He might still want to leave, I do not know, but all you can do while you are at a club is show passion to play and be chosen in the team and give your all. I did not see a player on Tuesday who does not care. And I did not see a player in that interview who did not care. I like that passion.

And Tottenham are a better team with him in the side, no doubt about it, and I think the fans know that. He is definitely their best option in that position, either left-back or pushing further forward. He makes a huge difference when he plays. And if he cares, then everyone is happy.

In Pictures | Borussia Dortmund vs Tottenham | 21/11/2017

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I like Tony Pulis and have no doubt West Brom would have stayed up if he had stayed. But sometimes you have to listen to fans, and a large number have been moaning about the style of play there for a while and wanted a change. Time will tell. It is never easy to change the philosophy of a team during a season.

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