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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou defended his remark about “all the time” profitable trophies in his second season after their defeat to Arsenal final weekend.
Regardless of Arsenal lacking a number of of their key gamers, Spurs have been undone in acquainted trend as Gabriel Magalhaes nodded residence from a set-piece to safe the North London bragging rights.
Spurs final gained a title again in 2008 within the League Cup and at the moment occupy thirteenth within the early-season standings, having picked up 4 factors from their first 4 Premier League video games.
Postecoglou was left confused and amazed by the detrimental response to his feedback and remains to be assured that he can lead Spurs to a trophy this season.
“It’s wonderful, isn’t it? I simply acknowledged a reality. Am I supposed to only lie or simply say it by no means occurred,” Postecoglou stated. “However do you actually suppose it’s me type of boasting? It’s simply complicated to me that individuals are making an enormous deal out of one thing. I’m undecided how I’m presupposed to reply one thing that’s true.
“I’ve simply stated one thing that’s true, and it looks like it’s upset lots of people for some purpose. In my 26 years of managing, I’ve had success and most of that has come within the second yr, not all of it. Typically it’s occurred within the first yr, typically within the third yr.
“I don’t see why that places further stress. It doesn’t put further stress on me as a result of I really like the truth that I’ve accomplished that. It’s what I need to do right here.
“I’d prefer to suppose that simply saying the reality is the way in which to go ahead however I believe typically that’s too confronting for individuals, they’d a lot reasonably I didn’t.”
Defeat at @SpursStadium. pic.twitter.com/7iwNNdQ1tz
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 15, 2024
Brentford, in the meantime, have been concerned in Carabao Cup motion in midweek and booked their place within the subsequent spherical with a snug 3-1 victory over Leyton Orient.
Fabio Carvalho starred for the Bees, notching a aim and two assists as he continues to seek out his ft beneath Thomas Frank since his transfer from Liverpool through the switch window.
Frank was happy his aspect have been capable of keep away from an early exit from the competitors, saying the extent his gamers reached on Tuesday is one thing they need to keep if they’re to return to profitable methods within the league.
“It’s job accomplished. I’ve stated it many instances: we need to go on a cup run, we need to go so far as doable and doubtlessly win it – we all know it’s tough however that’s the purpose,” Frank stated.
“In these video games, I would like to seek out the proper stability between placing a powerful workforce on the market, the combo of freshness but additionally with the sport on Saturday in thoughts, after which additionally utilizing the squad, as a result of gamers want that to develop and likewise need to be included.
“We hit the extent at this time; credit score to Leyton Orient, they did nicely within the first 20 minutes, we didn’t get sufficient management, however then we acquired our aim, and from there we have been in management.
“3-1 forward at half-time; second half, I needed us to be much more on prime, however it’s not straightforward, they gave every little thing. However I’m happy.”
Faultless, Fabio pic.twitter.com/rIwmL2902W
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) September 18, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tottenham – Pedro Porro
Solely Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White (11) has created extra open play possibilities within the Premier League this season than Tottenham’s Pedro Porro (10).
The Portugal worldwide is the one participant to have created 4 or extra open play possibilities in two completely different video games this season (4 towards each Leicester and Arsenal).
Brentford – Mark Flekken
Flekken has made 22 saves in 4 Premier League matches this season, six greater than some other goalkeeper, and he could also be wanted as soon as once more in North London.
Since 2003-04, just one goalkeeper has ever made extra saves in a workforce’s first 4 video games in a season – Tim Krul for Newcastle in 2015-16 (23).
MATCH PREDICTION: TOTTENHAM WIN
Many say the primary aim is crucial one, however that has not proved to be the case on this fixture. The workforce scoring first has gained not one of the final 4 Premier League conferences between Tottenham and Brentford (D2 L2).
Spurs have gained simply 4 factors within the Premier League this season (W1 D1 L2), their fewest at this stage since 2015-16 (3). They haven’t misplaced three of their opening 5 video games since 2008-09 beneath Juande Ramos, who left the membership eight winless video games into that season.
The hosts will even want to enhance from set-pieces. Solely Nottingham Forest (27) have conceded extra set-piece targets (incl. penalties) within the Premier League because the begin of final season than Tottenham (25).
Amongst all managers who’ve conceded greater than 50 targets in Premier League historical past, solely 4 have the next share of targets conceded by way of set items than Postecoglou (25/65, 38.5%).
Brentford have additionally gained simply one in all their six Premier League conferences with Tottenham (D3 L2) and have struggled away from residence, shedding 12 of their final 16 matches away from the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Tottenham – 58.8%
Draw – 20.5%
Brentford – 20.6%
