Tottenham’s Danny Rose has spoken out on the criticism he used to receive from supporters.
Tottenham’s Danny Rose in action with Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin
Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose has told The Mirror that he still remembers how Spurs fans would make negative comments about him earlier in his career.
Rose, 26, started his career in the youth team at Leeds United, but left Elland Road to join Tottenham at the age of just 17, when he was billed as one of English football’s most promising young wingers before converting to play at left back.
In his first four years at White Hart Lane, Rose played just five Premier League games for Spurs, and didn’t become a regular first-team player until the 2013/14 season, after loan spells with Watford, Peterborough United, Bristol City and Sunderland.
Now, Rose has not only established himself as Tottenham’s first-choice left back, but he’s also England’s left back of choice having starred for Spurs ever since Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival as manager in 2014.
Rose will be in action for Spurs against Monaco in the Champions League this evening, and he’s spoken to The Mirror about his career with Tottenham head of that game.
Tottenham’s Danny Rose applauds their fans
The left back commented on the praise he’s received over the last two years, saying it makes a change from the ‘negative comments’ fans sent in his direction earlier in his career.
Rose claims that he was receiving such criticism even when he signed a new contract with the club in 2014, but had people around who supported him, and praised manager Pochettino for giving him confidence.
Rose added that he now feels he is playing well, and wants to improve even more despite receiving so much praise recently.
Tottenham’s Danny Rose in action with Bayer Leverkusen’s Stefan Kiessling
“It makes a change,” he said when asked about the praise he now receives. “I remember what people used to say about me a few years ago – there was a lot of negative comments about me, even when I signed my contract before last. A lot of negative comments. It wasn’t nice but I feel as if I’ve got a strong character. I tried not to dwell on it too much.”
“I have got a great small circle around me in terms of family and close friends and they have helped me massively to try to turn my form around from what it was a few years ago. The manager coming in and putting his arm around me – giving me confidence and making me feel I could be one of the best in this league and in Europe.”
“I don’t want to blow my own trumpet but I feel as if I am playing well. I owe my team-mates, my manager, my chairman and everyone at this football club for how I am playing now, the way I played last season and the season before that. It is nice when people do say nice things about me but I just want to improve,” he added.
How much do you think Rose has improved in the last two years?
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