The Premier League season is a long and demanding journey, and maintaining momentum is one of the biggest challenges any team faces.
For Tottenham Hotspur, the early signs under new manager Thomas Frank have been overwhelmingly positive.
The team has started the campaign with a clear identity and a series of encouraging results, building a sense of optimism around the club.
This weekend, they face another significant test as they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to North London, a team known for its own distinct and effective style of play.
A match against Brighton is never straightforward. They are a well-coached side that demands discipline and concentration from their opponents.
For Thomas Frank, this fixture represents an opportunity to continue building on the strong foundations he has laid in his short time at the club.
He will be looking for another performance that demonstrates both tactical intelligence and the fighting spirit he wants his team to be known for.
The confidence within the squad is growing, and a victory against a tough opponent like Brighton would further solidify the belief that Spurs are moving in the right direction.
One of the most interesting aspects of Frank’s management so far has been his careful approach to team selection.
He is clearly a manager who values balance and stability above all else. With a Carabao Cup match against Doncaster Rovers coming up in the middle of the next week, some rotation is inevitable.
However, it is unlikely that he will make wholesale changes for this important league game. The priority will be to field a strong side capable of securing all three points, meaning the lineup should be close to full strength.
The most intriguing selection decision likely lies in the heart of the midfield. The partnership of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr has been a revelation, providing an incredible blend of youthful energy, defensive grit, and technical ability.
Their understanding has become crucial to the way Tottenham play, allowing them to win the ball back quickly and launch attacks. It’s a partnership that Frank will be very reluctant to break up.
However, the manager also has a difficult choice to make regarding the defensive midfield role. The experienced Joao Palhinha began the last match on the bench but made a massive impact when he came on.
His introduction brought a new level of control and resilience to the game, and his performance gave the manager a compelling reason to bring him back into the starting eleven.
Finding a way to integrate his experience without disrupting the effective Bergvall-Sarr axis is a key tactical puzzle for Frank to solve.
There is also a fascinating competition developing at the full-back positions. Djed Spence has been the consistent starter so far this season, but his recent performance showed there is still room for improvement.
This has opened the door for Destiny Udogie, who has been impressing in training and is now pushing hard for his first start of the campaign. Deciding which player to trust in such a key defensive role is another major call for the manager.
Further forward, the attack is beginning to take shape with a clear philosophy.
The use of Xavi Simons in a wide left role is a deliberate tactical move by Frank, designed to maintain solidity through the middle of the park while still utilizing the player’s incredible creative talents.
This system allows Mohammed Kudus to influence the game from the right and provides a platform for Richarlison to lead the line as the central striker.
The predicted lineup suggests a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Guglielmo Vicario in goal. The defense could feature Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie as the flying full-backs, with the formidable central defensive partnership of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven behind them.
In midfield, Joao Palhinha could slot in to provide defensive cover alongside the energetic Pape Matar Sarr. The attacking trio ahead of them would likely be Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, and Xavi Simons, all working to support the central figure of Richarlison.
While the team is building momentum, they are not without absentees. The injured list includes several key players, which tests the depth of the squad.
Despite this, the mood around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is one of growing excitement. Thomas Frank is imprinting his clear tactical ideas on the team, and the players are responding with cohesion and confidence.
Facing Brighton is always a challenge, but it’s one this new-look Spurs side will believe they are ready for.
