Tottenham Hotspur is now 0-2-3 over its past five matches, though Tuesday’s draw at St James’ Park yielded some legitimate hope for the first time in ages. Nothing ever comes easily for this club, but a trio of fixtures against Brentford, Salvia Prague, and Forest represent as good of a chance as any to really turn things around…assuming Spurs can actually build upon the positives.
Brentford is not a great side, but obviously represents a big occasion for Thomas Frank. The new Tottenham manager is still
trending in the wrong direction and now gets the stress of seeing his old mates come to North London. Still, the midweek result was a step in the right direction, and maybe that is enough to kickstart a revival.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, December 6
Time: 10:00 am ET, 3:00 pm UK
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
TV: USA Network (US)
Table: Spurs (t-11th, 19 pts), Brentford (t-11th, 19 pts)
As was widely discussed upon Frank’s hiring, Brentford was actually one of the two clubs Spurs did the double over last season (lol United). Despite an opening-minute goal by Bryan Mbeumo, Tottenham won 3-1 at home with goals from Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, and James Maddison. The reverse fixture was a little more straightforward thanks to an own goal and late Pape Sarr capper on a 2-0 afternoon.
Three Big Questions
How sustainable is this efficiency? Spurs had just two shots on target against Newcastle yet saw both efforts by Cristian Romero go in, increasing the team’s league-leading efficiency figures. Whether by design or ineptitude, Tottenham remains first in goals per shot and goals per shot on target, which feels more like luck than anything else.
The Brentford defense is near average in these figures, as well as raw shot volume, but has allowed multiple goals in four of its past six matches. Few things are less inspiring than Spurs at home, so Frank will need his side to be much more ambitious in the final third. Apparently there are goals to be had when the attack (or one of the centerbacks?) gets a shot off, but getting to that point is the challenge.
Who causes fear? Keith Andrews inherited a squad that had some big departures including Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and Christian Norgaard. That gap has mostly been (attempted to be) filled by Thiago, who has 11 goals in the league already, though few others have really contributed. Mikkel Damsgaard has played well and Michael Kayode is an interesting long-throw weapon, but this club has plenty of question marks.
Tracking Thiago is obviously task number one, and there are still too many defensive miscues for comfort right now. That being said, Frank must recognize that this is a match where players like Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, and Lucas Bergvall can be difference makers if given the chance. Spurs have the better players in this contest and must play like that is the case.
Stoppable force vs. movable object? Spurs have the second-worst home form in the entire league, trailing only Wolves with five points through seven matches; conversely, no team has more than their 14 points acquired on the road. For Brentford, the exact opposite is the case, setting up for a truly riveting affair at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Indeed, while the Bees are joint-third in home points per match, they sit tied for 17th in away form. They have been outscored 6-14 on the road, which might be the break Frank needs to get over his new side’s struggles in its own building. If anything, this seems like an opportunity for goals, though maybe it means an ugly 90 minutes of football awaits instead.
