In a game without any real chances or attacking play of note, Tottenham’s tactics of relying on crosses and set pieces to win games are becoming all too familiar. A point apiece was probably a fair result, and Brentford do have a decent home record, but we needed much more than this going forward. Zero attacks through the middle of the pitch have yet again resulted in a toothless attack. Any highlight reel for Spurs would consist almost entirely of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven tackles.
GK Guglielmo Vicario
Looked a little susceptible with his clearances at times, but generally played well, albeit not being put under much pressure. Vicario dealt well with any balls that did come into the box, and that is something that he seems to have improved on this season. Rating: 7
RB Pedro Porro
Defended well enough but passing was off again, in what has become a worrying trend. We are used to Porro being the more attacking threat of our two full backs, but he was very limited going forward. Rating: 5
LB Djed Spence
Defended well as usual and although more effective than Porro when going forward, was not able to provide the consistent width we needed. Rating: 6
CB Cristian Romero
Generally, one of the best games from Romero in a while. Did have one moment in the second half when he misjudged a tackle on Thiago but was, perhaps fortunately, adjudged to have not fouled the Brentford forward. Aside from that, this was an excellent display from Romero, making important tackles, reading the game well, and easing pressure on our goal. Rating: 8
CB Micky van de Ven
A solid performance from Micky alongside Romero. Together, they rarely looked troubled and with the few situations Brentford may have got in during the second half, Micky was able to use his pace to control things, as he so often does. Occasionally looked a little slow to move the ball forward, although he was not alone in that regard and this is likely more attributed to the lack of movement ahead of him. Rating: 8
CM Rodrigo Bentancur
A better performance from Bentancur, similar to how he played in our last game at Crystal Palace. He was involved at both ends, as much as anyone was in the attacking sense, and continued to at least try to move the ball forward when in possession. Rating: 6
CM Archie Gray
Played much of the game in a very advanced role behind Richarlison, meaning that striker and goalkeeper are now the only two positions Gray has not played for Spurs. It was a tactical move that again suggests Thomas Frank is unsure of where to play him, and what his best team is at all. Gray did put in an acceptable performance considering all of this and had a chance in the first half but failed to connect properly with the header. Rating: 6
CM João Palhinha
Palhinha should be starting much more often than he has recently as we look a more solid midfield when he plays. Made many important tackles, including when he seemed to have no right to get to the ball. The balance with him and Bentancur and with other midfield partners does not seem to work well at the moment, unfortunately. This is something Thomas Frank needs to figure out as Palhinha is player who should be an important member of the team most weeks. Rating: 6
RW Mohammed Kudus
Brentford clearly understood the Tottenham tactic of playing everything through the right wing and hoping Kudus makes something happen. Every time he got the ball it seemed he had 2 or 3 opposition players around him. Even then he was able to retain the ball fairly well. A talent, but he needs help and did not get it in this game. Rating: 4
LW Wilson Odobert
After a good performance from the bench against Crystal Palace, Odobert was a given a deserved start. As has often been the case when starting this season though, he was unable to get involved in the game. Tactics are clearly not helping our attack, and Odobert has shown ability at times, but this game passed him by and he was eventually replaced. Rating: 3
CF Richarlison
Richarlison was an outlet and managed to find space often. Too often though his hold-up play meant attacks broke down, which has happened in many games this season. Played a good cross for Archie Gray’s header in the first half but there was not much other threat from Richarlison. Did have our first shot on target that was easily saved. It speaks volumes for the team performance as a whole that this came in the 93rd minute. Rating: 4
Substitutes: Mathys Tel, Randal Kolo Muani
Surprisingly few substitutes from Thomas Frank. Tel came on for the last 10 minutes but barely could get involved. Muani was full of running but spent a large amount of his time defending in the right-back area with little improvement to our attacking problem. Ratings: Mathys Tel (3), Randal Kolo Muani (4)