Tottenham go into Saturday’s meeting with Brentford knowing they urgently need a response after another disappointing night in the Premier League.
The draw at Newcastle may have shown some late fight, especially with Cristian Romero’s unexpected double, but it did little to ease the growing concerns around the team’s direction.
Spurs are now five games without a win in all competitions and have slipped into 11th place, far away from where they hoped to be at this stage of the season. If they want to stay in the race for Champions League football, they cannot afford to let this run continue any longer.
The pressure on Thomas Frank is growing quickly, and this weekend could be one of the most important games of his early Tottenham career. It comes with an extra emotional twist, as he faces his former club for the first time on December 6.
Everyone around the club knows the atmosphere will turn hostile if the result goes the wrong way, and even neutral supporters can see that Frank is now managing under a cloud of doubt.
His decisions, his tactics, and his selection choices are under the microscope, and the Brentford match feels like a moment where he must take control by shaking up the team.
Based on how things went at Newcastle, it seems almost certain that Frank will make some significant changes. Rodrigo Bentancur had a night to forget, and although he has been an important player in the past, his performance at St James’ Park made it very difficult for the manager to keep trusting him.
Losing the ball nine times, failing to move play forward, and offering nothing creatively from midfield hurt Tottenham badly. His 38 completed passes and 58 touches would look fine on paper, but none of it helped Spurs gain control or build momentum.
Pape Matar Sarr was not much better. He struggled with the intensity of the Newcastle midfield and gave away possession frequently, making Spurs look flat and predictable. With neither player offering attacking inspiration or defensive security, it becomes almost impossible for Spurs to build consistent play through the centre.
Those issues will likely open the door for Joao Palhinha to return to the lineup. Palhinha brings structure, bite, and a sense of control that Tottenham have been missing.
Alongside him, young Archie Gray may get another chance after impressing against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. His energy, vision, and willingness to push the ball forward offer something different from the more cautious midfield options Frank has been relying on. Tottenham need a spark, and Gray looks capable of giving them one.
In defence, Micky van de Ven is expected to return, as his speed and anticipation completely change the way Spurs defend. Kevin Danso will likely make way, which seems inevitable after recent shaky showings.
Frank may hope that tightening the back line gives the team more confidence going forward, especially since they have been leaking goals far too easily.
Up front, Spurs remain short of options with Dominic Solanke still unavailable. That means Randal Kolo Muani will continue leading the line.
He has shown flashes of quality, but Tottenham desperately need him to become more clinical and more involved, especially during a period where goals are hard to come by and the team is struggling to create chances.
This match carries more weight than most because the consequences of another poor performance could be severe. Tottenham have been too easy to play against in recent weeks, too soft in midfield, and too disjointed at both ends of the pitch.
Fans are frustrated, and the players look short of belief. Leaving out Sarr and Bentancur might not solve everything, but giving opportunities to players who can bring urgency, discipline, and creativity may help shift the momentum.
If Frank makes the right calls, he can steady the team and possibly buy himself some time. If he does not, the noise around his job will only grow louder. For Tottenham, this is a moment where small choices could decide the direction of the entire season.
