Spurs emerged victorious from an all-London clash on Saturday as Thomas Frank beat his former club Brentford to register a first Premier League home win since the opening weekend of the season. The Dane had been under mounting pressure from fans in recent weeks amid a difficult run of form, with only Cristian Romero’s stoppage-time heroics preventing a sixth defeat from eight games against Newcastle in midweek.
Frank rang the changes from that match, making five swaps in total including a first start for summer signing Xavi Simons since early November - and the faith was rewarded when the Dutch playmaker set up Richarlison’s opener with a fine run and cross, before another solo charge into the box led to Simons scoring his first goal for the Lilywhites.
The Bees - who have struggled away from home this term - could find no answer in the second half, with Spurs seeing a late Mohammed Kudus goal ruled out for offside as they picked up a vital three points to ease some of the heat on their manager. Relive all the action from Tottenham vs Brentford below in our dedicated match blog!
Tottenham vs Brentford latest news
- GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Brentford: Simons doubles Spurs' lead with brilliant solo move
- GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Brentford: Richarlison hits close-range opener from Simons assist
- Tottenham team news: Van de Ven returns, Xavi starts
- Brentford team news: Thiago and Damsgaard back
- Score prediction
Sam Tabuteau reports
16:59 , Alex DakersA vital three points for Tottenham and Thomas Frank.
More than the result, though, it was the performance that was most impressive. Tottenham dominant and entirely deserving of the win.
FT: Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:58 , Alex DakersIt’s all over in north London, and Tottenham have their first Premier League win at home since the opening weekend of the season!
Brentford’s poor away record continues as their former manager Thomas Frank gets the better of Keith Andrews’s travelling Bees.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:56 , Alex Dakers90+5mins: Kevin Danso has a header in the box following a set-piece, but it’s a miss from the Tottenham defender.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:54 , Alex Dakers90+3mins: Brentford have a corner, and they aren’t giving up yet even though it comes to nothing.
This hasn’t been their day, the Bees, with subpar performances from a few key men including Thiago and Ouattara.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:50 , Alex Dakers90mins: Seven minutes of added time here in north London.
Will it make any difference?
Sam Tabuteau reports
16:50 , Alex DakersIt has not been Thiago's afternoon as he spurns a good opportunity.
The Brazilian looks to the sky in frustration.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:49 , Alex Dakers88mins: The ball goes high in the box and falls to Igor Thiago at a slightly tough angle, but the 11-goal Brentford striker can only send it into the side netting on this occasion.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:48 , Alex Dakers88mins: Brentford’s final change sees Dango Ouattara, who’ll be heading to the Africa Cup of Nations shortly, replaced by Keane Lewis-Potter.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:46 , Alex Dakers86mins: Spurs are really just seeing this one on as they look to clinch a first home win since the opening match of the Premier League season.
No real sense that Brentford can find a way back into this.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:45 , Alex Dakers84mins: Brentford have another corner but it’s cleared at the near post.
Moments earlier, Pape Matar Sarr had forced a save from Kelleher.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:41 , Alex Dakers81mins: Romero and Kudus now make way for Danso and Sarr.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:41 , Alex Dakers79mins: Mohammed Kudus has the ball in the back of the net from a tight angle, but it's ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
10 minutes plus stoppages to go...
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:38 , Alex Dakers78mins: Brentford have scored their fair shares of late goals this season - can they find one here?
They’ve also conceded more than a few times late on, though...
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:37 , Alex Dakers77mins: Dango Ouattara wins a free kick off Archie Gray but this has been a pretty quiet outings by the Brentford attacker.
Gray is booked.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:36 , Alex Dakers76mins: Now a double change for Brentford.
Kayode and Yarmolyuk - both on yellows - off, in come Aaron Hickey and Vitaly Janelt.
Will it inspire a fightback by the Bees?
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:34 , Alex Dakers74mins: Kolo Muani is replaced for Spurs by Wilson Odobert.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:33 , Alex Dakers72mins: Yarmolyuk earns himself a booking for a clumsy challenge on Xavi Simons.
Sam Tabuteau reports
16:33 , Alex DakersMassive tackle just then from Romero. On a yellow card, it has been a really measured display from the Tottenham centre half after the break.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:32 , Alex Dakers71mins: Brentford take a quick throw, Igor Thiago gathers it and shoots - but it’s blocked by a great tackle from Cristian Romero, who rises to his feet and roars to the home crowd.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:30 , Alex Dakers70mins: The Brazilian is fine, back up and just waiting to come back on now.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:28 , Alex Dakers68mins: Richarlison is down holding his head now, and play is halted.
Brentford yet to have a shot on target in this second half.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:28 , Alex Dakers68mins: For now, though, Brentford put pressure on Spurs at the back and win a corner.... but Richarlison clears it.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:27 , Alex Dakers67mins: Mohammed Kudus is keeping Rico Henry mightily busy down Brentford’s left flank.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:25 , Alex Dakers65mins: A first change for Spurs, now.
Rodrigo Bentancur makes way for Joao Palhinha.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:23 , Alex Dakers62mins: Kelleher makes a waylaid pass under pressure from Kolo Muani and must save a Xavi Simons shot as he runs back towards his goal.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:21 , Alex Dakers61mins: Keith Andrews knows it, and makes another change.
Mathias Jensen replaces Mikkel Damsgaard in midfield.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:20 , Alex Dakers60mins: Free-kick won by Xavi Simons, conceded by Kevin Schade, who is booked - and will miss Brentford’s next game as a result.
The Bees are struggling to get a foothold in this second half.
Sam Tabuteau reports
16:16 , Alex DakersTottenham have started on the front foot. They want more goals here.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:16 , Alex Dakers56mins: Kudus sends the delivery in but the Bees clear.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:15 , Alex Dakers55mins: Now, a Tottenham corner as Porro’s dangerous cross is turned behind.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:15 , Alex Dakers54mins: Clumsy defending from Brentford allows Kudus to put it on his left foot and force another save from Kelleher.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:12 , Alex Dakers52mins: Kelleher back on his feet and we play on.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:11 , Alex Dakers51mins: Spurs are through on goal through Djed Spence but Kelleher closes him down in the nick of time.
He gets a bit of a whack in the head in the collision, the Brentford goalie, and we’ve stopped to make sure he’s okay to continue.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:07 , Alex Dakers47mins: Schade wins a free-kick off Pedro Porro, who goes into the referee’s book.
Plenty going on in the wide areas here.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:07 , Alex Dakers47mins: Archie Gray is brought down by Yarmolyuk but the referee says it’s a fair challenge - play on!
Sam Tabuteau reports
16:06 , Alex DakersRico Henry comes on for Brentford. Keith Andrews opting for a natural left-back in the second half.
Fresh legs to deal with Mohammed Kudus?
Second half kick-off: Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
16:05 , Alex Dakers46mins: Back underway in north London.
Rico Henry replaces Ajer, who was cautioned just before half-time, at the break.
Simons arrives for Spurs
16:04 , Alex Dakersring ring... Xavi's here 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Ci0wUrirbu
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 6, 2025
Sam Tabuteau reports
15:51 , Alex DakersWhat a difference a week makes!
From being booed against Fulham, Tottenham's players are applauded off the pitch here after a dominant first half display.
HT: Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
15:50 , Alex DakersSpurs look good for their advantage at the break!
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
15:48 , Alex Dakers45mins: Three minutes added on.
Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
15:48 , Alex Dakers45mins: Ajer is booked now for recklessly taking out the tricky dribbler Mohammed Kudus.
Sam Tabuteau reports
15:46 , Alex DakersXavi Simons has been electric today and he doubles Tottenham's lead with an excellent solo goal.
The Dutchman starts and finishes the move. He has been so important in and out of possession in the first half.
GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Brentford
15:45 , Alex Dakers43mins: A sucker punch for Brentford as we approach half-time, as Xavi Simons adds to Tottenham’s advantage!
Another brilliant run from the young Dutchman, bursting forward from midfield and doing the rest himself, too, slotting it home into the bottom corner after charging into the box.
That’s a first Spurs goal for Simons, on his first Premier League start in a month. What a return!
Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:43 , Alex Dakers40mins: That last corner is knocked back to Kolo Muani six yards out, but the Frenchman heads straight at Kelleher and Brentford scramble it clear.
Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:42 , Alex Dakers39mins: The two sides are trading corners at the moment, and Spurs’ latest one cleared out for another by Kelleher.
Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:40 , Alex Dakers38mins: It fizzes towards the front post but the last touch before it goes back out of bounds is off Kevin Schade, so it’s a goal kick to Spurs.
Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:40 , Alex Dakers37mins: Corner to Brentford, now.
Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:38 , Alex Dakers36mins: Spurs float the corner to the back post but Schade clears.
Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:38 , Alex Dakers35mins: Tottenham are definitely on the front foot, though, and win a corner off Yarmolyuk.
Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:37 , Alex Dakers34mins: Brentford haven’t had many clear cut chances, if any besides that Thiago one about 10 minutes ago, but they’re not out of this yet.
Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:33 , Alex Dakers32mins: A long way to go here in north London, but as it stands this would be Tottenham’s first home win since the opening weekend of the season, back in August.
Brentford’s free-kick after that foul on Thiago falls into Vicario’s gloves.
Sam Tabuteau reports
15:33 , Alex DakersRomero plays on the edge and he is lucky to get away with that tackle on Thiago.
It was a scissor tackle from the Argentinian.
Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:32 , Alex Dakers31mins: Cristian Romero goes into the book now for sliding into the back of Igor Thiago.
Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:31 , Alex Dakers28mins: Richarlison is hacked down 25 yards from goal, and Michael Kayode is shown the yellow card.
Spurs’ free-kick comes to nothing, though.
Sam Tabuteau reports
15:27 , Alex DakersRicharlison strikes first in the battle of the Brazilians to give Tottenham the lead.
Well worked goal and a lovely run and assist from Simons.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
15:26 , Alex Dakers25mins: But then, Spurs have the lead through Richarlison!
Xavi Simons makes a great run into the box from the right, slides it across and the Brazilian knocks it in from close range.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:26 , Alex Dakers25mins: That corner is cleared by Tottenham, though, and the hosts break.
Kelleher is forced to rush out of his box and clear the ball as Randal Kolo Muani bears down on him.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:25 , Alex Dakers24mins: Igor Thiago has a great chance to give Brentford the lead, but Guglielmo Vicario pushes it away.
Corner to the visitors.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:24 , Alex Dakers23mins: We’re back in play in north London, and Ajer is fine to continue.
Sam Tabuteau reports
15:24 , Alex DakersTottenham are continually looking to cross the ball into the area. However, Frank, of all people, should know Brentford are set up to defend against crosses.
It's been fairly straight for the Bees' defence so far.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:22 , Alex Dakers21mins: Kelleher goes to punch a cross out but collides with his own defender Ajer, who hits the turf.
The referee stops the game to check for a head injury.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:20 , Alex Dakers18mins: Spurs piling on the pressure now, but nothing to show for it yet.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:18 , Alex Dakers16mins: That second corner eventually falls to Xavi Simons, and the Dutchman tries his luck from far out but can’t hit the target.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:17 , Alex Dakers14mins: Corner conceded by Michael Kayode.
Porro takes it for Spurs, but Kelleher palms the delivery away.
The hosts have a few more goes at it, and win another corner.
Sam Tabuteau reports
15:16 , Alex DakersThis game has become a bit more stretched. Let's hope this brings us some more goal mouth action.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:15 , Alex Dakers13mins: Richarlison takes down a Kudus cross but Brentford block him, and then block Xavi Simons’s attempted follow-up too.
The Bees break but can’t get a shot away.
This game is opening up, though.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:14 , Alex Dakers12mins: Romero makes a well-timed challenge to halt Igor Thiago’s threatening run.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:12 , Alex Dakers11mins: Still goalless here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Brentford win their first corner of the afternoon - but nothing comes of it.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:08 , Alex Dakers7mins: Kudus whips it in to the near post, but Dango Ouattara heads it away.
Kudus clips the ball back into the area, but Brentford recover again, and when Micky van de Ven gets his head onto another cross, the ball sails over.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:07 , Alex Dakers6mins: Corner to Spurs as Kristoffer Ajer knocks it behind.
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:06 , Alex Dakers5mins: Nothing much to shout about in the early stages of this match...
Tottenham 0-0 Brentford
15:05 , Alex Dakers2mins: Henderson tries to find Schade out wide, but the Brentford winger is offside.
KICK-OFF
15:01 , Alex DakersWe’re underway in north London!
Kick-off in minutes...
14:57 , Alex DakersAs Sam says, just a few minutes til kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!
Sam Tabuteau reports
14:55 , Alex DakersNearing kick-off ahead of perhaps the most important game of Thomas Frank's Tottenham tenure.
Lose here and there will be serious questions for the Dane.
A win, though, and suddenly the momentum changes, with a winnable Champions League game at home to Slavia Prague to come next week.
Frank on Spurs team news
14:52 , Alex DakersThomas Frank has given some insight into his team selection today.
“I like the combination of the front four,” Frank said, with that quartet today being Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison.
Addressing his decision to start Archie Gray in central midfield, the Spurs boss said: “I like the way Archie has performed, the way he plays forward, [we can] unleash him a little and let Rodrigo [Bentancur] hold the middle.”
“Destiny [Udogie] got an injury unfortunately,” Frank added of the Italian left-back’s omission from the matchday squad.
And on the three things his side must do, he continued: “We need to be super aggressive.
“We need to be brave - turn forward, play forward, run forward.
“And then play with that intensity, counter-press - I think that’s the key.”
Thomas discusses today's changes to our starting XI 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/gr1NqxTL9N
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 6, 2025
Premier League standings ahead of kick-off
14:43 , Alex DakersAfter Aston Villa scored a last-minute winner to close the gap at the top of the table to three points between them and Arsenal, what could happen at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today?
Well, Tottenham are 11th in the Premier League table with 19 points, while Brentford are 13th with... 19 points.
Spurs currently have a better goal difference (+5 vs -1), hence their higher position, but the Bees have actually won more games (six vs five). Keith Andrews’s men have also lost more often than Thomas Frank’s group (seven vs five), with Spurs being held to four draws to Brentford’s one.
If the visitors can secure a shock away win today, at a ground where Spurs have won just once all season long, they’d leapfrog their hosts in the standings!
Depending on results elsewhere this week, both sides could end the weekend as high as seventh.
Sam Tabuteau reports
14:40 , Alex Dakers🗣️"A must-win game for Thomas Frank."@tabuteauS previews today's match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with kick-off less than half an hour away!
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) December 6, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/d1Wsr4A5uQ#THFC | #TOTBRE pic.twitter.com/9KvUlxc63w
Warm-ups in progress
14:36 , Alex DakersBoth sides are warming up here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A match preview from our man Sam Tabuteau, coming right up...
Counting down to kick-off in N17 ⏳
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 6, 2025
Join us live on The Warm Up ahead of today’s @premierleague clash against Brentford 📺 https://t.co/ymgCGTcN5Q
Half an hour til kick-off!
14:30 , Alex Dakers30 minutes until our scheduled kick-off time in north London.
Ready for this, Spurs/Bees fans? We are!
Damsgaard's Premier League century
14:28 , Alex DakersBrentford playmaker Mikkel Damsgaard makes his 100th Premier League appearance today!
How crucial will he be to the Bees’ hopes of success today?
💯 Premier League appearances for magic Mikkel Damsgaard 🪄 pic.twitter.com/xI1MXz1JnY
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 6, 2025
Team news: Tottenham and Brentford both ring the changes
14:17 , Alex DakersIf you’re counting, that’s five changes for Spurs and four for Brentford compared to the teams that Thomas Frank and Keith Andrews fielded during the week.
For the hosts, in come Micky Van de Ven for Kevin Danso, Djed Spence for the seemingly injured Destiny Udogie, Archie Gray for Pape Matar Sarr, Xavi Simons for Brennan Johnson and Richarlison for Lucas Bergvall.
It looks like Frank is going for something of a 4-2-2-2 formation, with Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani leading the line together as Kudus and the recalled Simons man the wide areas. Of course, there’s always a chance that this Spurs team shifts fluidly over the course of the match, with both Richarlison and Kolo Muani capable of drifting out to the left.
As for the Bees, skipper Nathan Collins, veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, playmaker Mikkel Damsgaard and leading scorer Igor Thiago are all back in from the start, with Ethan Pinnock, Rico Henry, Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen dropping out.
Teams arriving
14:14 , Alex DakersThe Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hasn’t been a happy place for the hosts so far this season, with just one Premier League win there to date.
How will they fare today?
Down to business 🔒 pic.twitter.com/oKEl6XnZHc
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 6, 2025
Brentford, meanwhile, have done brilliantly at home but struggled on the road this season. However, the Bees will surely be up for this test against their former manager, Thomas Frank...
Checking in 🗳️@cazoohelp | #TOTBRE pic.twitter.com/pVEQWi908v
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 6, 2025
Sam Tabuteau reports
13:52 , Alex DakersXavi Simons starts for the first time since the 2-2 draw with Manchester United. A huge opportunity for the Dutchman. Micky Van de Ven comes back in after being named among the subs against Newcastle. No place in the squad for Destiny Udogie.
No surprise as Brentford go full strength. Thiago and Damsgaard are back in from the start after midweek rests versus Arsenal.
Tottenham confirmed starting line-up and subs
13:52 , Alex DakersTottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Gray; Kudus, Simons; Richarlison, Kolo Muani
Subs: Kinsky, Danso, Palhinha, Tel, Bergvall, Johnson, Odobert, Sarr, Davies
Brentford confirmed starting line-up and subs
13:51 , Alex DakersBrentford XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Ajer; Henderson, Yarmolyuk; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago
Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Henry, Pinnock, Jensen, Onyeka, Lewis-Potter, Janelt, Donovan
TEAM NEWS: TOTTENHAM
13:47 , Alex DakersAnd the same for our hosts, Tottenham!
Our team to face the Bees ✊
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 6, 2025
🔢 @krakenfx pic.twitter.com/gY7LSSu0QB
TEAM NEWS: BRENTFORD
13:46 , Alex DakersToday’s team news for the visitors, Brentford!
Your Bees to take on Spurs 🐝 pic.twitter.com/19K6LyLlhP
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 6, 2025
Kudus the danger man for Spurs
13:40 , Alex DakersIgor Thiago, assuming he starts, is unquestionably Brentford’s main goal threat, with Mikkel Damsgaard pulling the strings as Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade cause plenty of problems from the wide areas.
Meanwhile, for good and bad, a lot of Tottenham's play goes through Mohammed Kudus, said Standard Sport’s Matt Verri this week:
“Brentford fans will know Frank loves crossing; that is a key part of his game, that is where he focuses, and that has carried on at Tottenham.
“Pretty much all of their attacks at the moment go down that right wing. There is a lot of times when Kudus is isolated and the pressure is on him to beat two or three men and get a cross in, but he has got six assists in the Premier League this season and has carried that attack a lot.
“That said, he is a player who frustrates fans and sometimes he tries to do too much but, because he is in a situation where he keeps getting the ball and is having to make it all happen by himself, that is pretty inevitable.
“So, assuming he starts, Kudus will be the one a lot of Tottenham's play goes through.”
10 minutes until team news!
13:35 , Alex DakersJust 10 minutes to go until we get today’s team confirmed team news from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Will we see Thomas Frank hand Xavi Simons a starting berth after three successive benching for the summer signing that had fans so excited? Who will lead the line for Spurs?
Is Brentford’s 11-goal striker Igor Thiago ready for a full 90 minutes?
We’ll soon find out!
Brentford boss Andrews on Frank reunion
13:32 , Alex DakersBrentford manager Keith Andrews, who took over from Thomas Frank when the Dane moved across the capital after seven years with the Bees, said he is looking forward to reuniting with Frank and other former Brentford staffers “very much”.
"Thomas is someone I regard as a friend; he’s a big part of the reason why I wanted to come to the club,” Andrews said.
"I had a really good working relationship with Thomas and learned a lot from him. I’ve seen up close and personal how he operated and the way he worked within the structure of this football club.
"I have a lot of respect for him and what he achieved at this football club. He was a really successful part of the club’s history.
"It’ll be nice to see them [Frank and other ex-club staff] tomorrow in and around the game."
Frank: Spurs must 'keep calm' and carry on as pressure builds
13:27 , Alex DakersFrank has also admitted to feeling the weight of expectation as his Tottenham side looks to end a five-game winless run.
It’s been a mixed start to life at Tottenham for the Dane, who has seen results dip dramatically over the last few months.
After three wins from their opening four league games, Tottenham have since won just two of their last 10, leaving them 11th in the table.
It means the pressure is building on Frank as he prepares to welcome his former club, Brentford, to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon.
And, rather candidly, he has admitted as much.
“Definitely, definitely I’ve felt that,” Frank said. “It hasn’t surprised me because I knew that was the difference when I walked into it. But like anything else, you don’t know it before you’re standing in it. Like, really know it.
“So now I know it, so ‘OK, it’s like this, hmm’. Then we deal with it.”
Despite Frank’s rather honest admission about the change in expectation from Brentford to Tottenham, he has been here before.
Slow starts in his two previous head coach roles, at Brondby and Brentford, have taught him to stick to his principles. His Bees tenure started with a run of one win from his opening 10 games in charge. But patience paid off.
He continued: “I think both experiences showed me [that] you can stick to your principles, processes, structure, to what you believe in. Constantly try to add the layers you want to add to the squad in terms of culture, behaviour, the way you want to play, finding the right formula, all that. You just need to keep doing that.”
Frank is realistic enough to know, though, that he may not be afforded that time at Tottenham. Results need to change, and quickly.
Match preview: Frank must take inspiration from Spurs' past to save his job
13:20 , Alex DakersThomas Frank will have no issue celebrating if Tottenham score against his former club, Brentford, this weekend. It could just save his job.
A happy reunion has the ability to turn toxic if Spurs cannot secure just their second home league win of the season.
So, Frank will be hoping his side can translate their efficiency on the road to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as they look to end a five-game winless run in all competitions.
Tottenham are among the highest scorers in the Premier League this season, yet their average of 1.14 goals per game at home is the sixth-lowest in the division. Few stats highlight their issues on home soil quite so dramatically.
Frank wants his team to be efficient in front of goal - taking fewer but higher-quality shots. This was something his Brentford side excelled at.
Spurs’ snatch-and-grab draw away to Newcastle on Tuesday, with Cristian Romero scoring with Tottenham’s only two shots on target, was proof that they have the ability to stay in games and strike cold.
While that tactic may work away from home, Tottenham fans want to impose more of an identity on the opposition when they welcome them to north London.
So far, Frank, like his predecessors, is finding it hard to make Tottenham’s home a fortress, and his style, which is predicated on the quality rather than the quantity of chances, has left little room for error in attack.
The Dane is stringent in his beliefs; it has carried him from the Championship to the Champions League in little under a decade, but he has also built his reputation on being adaptable.
Keeping reading the latest from Sam Tabuteau here!
Tottenham vs Brentford predicted line-ups
13:15 , Alex DakersWe’ll have confirmed team news for you all in half an hour’s time, but here’s how we predict both sides will line up today...
Predicted Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Sarr; Kudus, Bergvall, Simons; Kolo Muani
Predicted Brentford XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Ajer; Henderson, Yarmolyuk; Dango, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago
Whose poor record will win out?
13:10 , Alex DakersSpurs host this latest London derby with pressure building on Thomas Frank following a dismal run of one win in eight games across all competitions.
Tottenham’s struggles at home are well documented, with just one league win in N17 all season - and that came against newly-promoted Burnley on the opening day.
Wednesday night’s fightback to earn a draw at Newcastle has provided some slight respite for Frank but he faces the nightmare prospect of falling below his former club in the table if they lose.
For Brentford, it is a second visit to north London in a matter of days after being beaten 2-0 by Arsenal on Wednesday night, which was the Bees’ sixth league loss on the road this season.
Tottenham vs Brentford match odds
13:05 , Alex DakersTottenham to win: 7/5
Brentford to win: 2/1
Draw: 23/10
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
13:00 , Alex DakersTottenham do, however, have a fine record against Brentford, winning the last three meetings - when the Bees were being managed by Frank!
Tottenham wins: 27
Brentford wins: 7
Draws: 16
Tottenham vs Brentford prediction
12:55 , Alex DakersTottenham cannot buy a league win at home and Brentford have struggled away under Keith Andrews so far.
Similar was said last weekend before Spurs faced Fulham and the Cottagers found themselves 2-0 up after six minutes en route to their first away league win of the campaign.
We think lightning will strike twice here with the Bees emulating their west London neighbours and piling more pressure on Frank.
Brentford to win, 2-1.
Brentford early team news: Thiago set to start
12:50 , Alex DakersAs for Brentford, top scorer Igor Thiago is expected to be restored to the starting XI after coming on as a substitute in the loss to Arsenal.
Aaron Hickey will hope to recover from a knock and Gunners loanee Reiss Nelson is available again, but Joshua Dasilva, Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo are all long-term absentees.
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