Roberto de Zerbi’s Tottenham side looked completely out-of-depth against Brentford.
The players and transfer fees might be different, but it was the same old Tottenham that took the field against Brentford on Saturday. The same old side that simply could not get going against inferior opposition last season. The same old Tottenham that struggled to show the required effort and apply the basics of football on the opening day of the new Premier League campaign. And the 3-0 defeat truly reflected just how poor the Lilywhites were.
There were a lot of questionable choices made by Roberto de Zerbi when he announced the starting eleven prior to kick-off. And it is safe to say that the Italian tactician’s bold calls failed to pay off, as his team looked second-best in all areas of the field against a charged-up Brentford side. The North Londoners were chasing shadows from the first whistle and were dominated both tactically and physically by Keith Andrews’ men.
Spurs found themselves two goals down at the stroke of half-time, thanks to a beautifully worked opener by Keane Lewis-Potter, followed by a simple strike from Vitaly Janelt. The four new signings who started the game for the Lilywhites had a night to forget at the Gtech Stadium. Things did not get any better when the North Londoners found themselves 3-0 down just after half-time, with Michael Kayode applying the finishing touch from close range in the 48th minute.
Tottenham get a strong reality check
For all the money Tottenham have spent in the transfer market, the club received a solid reality check when they took the field against a well-coached Brentford side. But these are still early days for Roberto de Zerbi and the North Londoners, and the good news for the fans and the Italian tactician is that the side that started the opening-day humiliation against the Bees may never play together again this season. The majority of the key players will return to first-team action by next week, giving the Lilywhites a completely new look.
However, it is hard to forget the dismal performance put up by Spurs at the Gtech Stadium on Saturday night. Dimitar Berbatov took the opportunity to sum up the Lilywhites’ display immediately after the match. The former Tottenham forward said (via Chris Sweetman),
“It’s the beginning of a new Premier League season, while it’s too early to condemn Roberto De Zerbi and his players, I believe Spurs have spent a lot to avoid this type of defeat. Look at the players in that squad, Sandro Tonali, Matheus Fernandes, Andy Robertson, Connor Gallagher, van Hecke, Senesi, Maddison, Bentancur and Richarlison. They are players you trust to help Spurs win comfortably against Brentford but they were so terrible in both halves.”
Berbatov went on to add,
“Last season they were lucky to escape relegation and going into the new season that should be a motivation for them to compete at the highest level and do better than last season. At this point I’m afraid that nothing might change after all the money spent in the transfer market and those Spurs fans will be so disappointed with what they saw today.”
As Dimitar Berbatov rightly pointed out, Spurs have spent a lot of money this summer to avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles. But the lack of intent and fight from the new signings against Brentford was something that should alarm Roberto de Zerbi immediately. If the opening game was anything to go by, it looks like the Lilywhites are in for a tough campaign, regardless of how much more they spend in the transfer market on new arrivals. The 3-0 defeat against the Bees should serve as a wake-up call for everyone associated with the North London club.
