‘Hurting’ Spurs find defensive strength before defining week
The ability to grind out a win. While showing defensive strength has not regular part of Tottenham’s season so far.
But, in a week that could define their campaign and the future of boss Ange Postecoglou, Spurs showed spirit and character to win 2-0 at Brentford and bring their four-game losing league run to a halt.
Under-pressure Postecoglou could not have happier.
“We defended as well as we have all คาสิโนออนไลน์ UFABET ฝากถอนรวดเร็ว เริ่มต้นเล่นง่าย season and we still had the quality to hurt them the other way. It was an outstanding effort by the players,” said Postecoglou.
He had every reason to be delighted because Brentford. Who have scored the most goals at home of any team in the Premier League this season, were routinely frustrated as Spurs kept their first clean sheet in the league in 2025.
“It’s a difficult place to come and to win and difficult to keep them out,” add Postecoglou.
“They throw it into the box and at set pieces. But I thought the lads handled that awfully well and we knew we would have to do that to nullify their threats. The lads were brilliant.”
Postecoglou was full of praise for the returning Djed Spence and 18-year-old Archie Gray.
Who was booed by the home fans after he opted to move to Tottenham instead of Brentford. When leaving Leeds last summer.
“We’re still a bit thin defensively,” said Postecoglou on a day when Tottenham bolstered their defensive ranks by signing 26-year-old Austria international Kevin Danso on loan from Ligue 1 side Lens with a commitment to buy in the summer.
“The job Archie Gray is doing is remarkable. Eighteen years old, never played centre back, and he is playing in Europe and playing every week. He’s a fantastic player and we’re very fortunate to have him.”
Gray himself was pleased with the side’s defensive efforts, adding: “At times this season, we have lost concentration just for five minutes. As soon as that [first] goal went in. We knew we couldn’t make the same mistakes and we had to keep disciplined for the second half.
“It’s credit to Ben [Davies] and Djed and Pedro [Porro] as well. We were shouting at each other the whole game. It was a really good clean sheet and hopefully we can keep it going.”