A Review of Spurs' week, from Champions League success, to points earned on-the-road
Spurs' champions league campaign began with a rudimentary, but vital 3 points before a resilient comeback at the AMEX.
'Watching Tottenham on a Tuesday Night'
The buzz around Tottenham's early season form translated into complete confidence that Thomas Frank's first Champions League game would be a successful evening against a fellow 'Pot 2' club.
Despite this confidence, the rumblings of discontent regarding ticket prices were proved justified as an unusually low attendance of 54,000 became a large talking point within the fanbase. This paired with the low turnout of Villareal fans (who in fairness have a population of only 52,000) created a strange atmosphere around the stadium.
We warned Spurs against pricing our group stage UCL game v Villareal at Cat B. The fact we are now being urged to invite up to SIX of our friends to this game, suggests we were right. Why not price games affordably and pack the stadium? That’s how you create the atmosphere we all… pic.twitter.com/GUS8s1EQ9p
— THST (@THSTOfficial) September 11, 2025
Nonetheless, a bizarre own goal thanks to a Bergvall cross gave an early lead for Spurs and definitely made me think that our Champions League return would be a convincing win. However, from that moment on it seemed that the starting 11, who weren't really rotated from the West Ham game, tired themselves out instantly and the next 85ish minutes became a series of failed final passes and just not enough creativity. It has now been voiced by many fans that Xavi Simons and Djed Spence are not compatible on that left side. Not down to lack of ability but rather the idea that their sequences of play seemed pretty awkward. I'd like to think that Frank is willing to put Simons in the middle as he seems to naturally drift inwards with and without the ball. Surely Udogie would better suit a partnership with Simon's if he wants to keep him out wide?
I could go on for a while about how we would have been punished by stronger opposition and that our lack of creativity is still evident... But we can't forget that for a lot of this team, that was their Champions League debut and it feels like a result that probably just wouldn't have gone our way last season. The defence looks strong again and Vicario was hardly tested. A period of poor passing in the second half was an anomaly in a game that was almost entirely under Spurs control. Bergvall seemed to scoop up all the praise, whilst Van De Ven continues to prove himself to be impenetrable at times. Our next UCL fixture involves a trip back to Bodo/Glimt, which of course is a place holding fond memories for fans. Hopefully they aren't too hungry for revenge.
As far as @ChampionsLeague debuts go... pic.twitter.com/ruwmQwzrGp
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 16, 2025
We Never Win at Brighton...
This was being said throughout the week, with Spurs' fans aiming for revenge after last seasons disaster 3-2 loss. Changes were expected in the side following midweek Champions League action but it was interesting to see Frank dropping Sarr, who had arguably performed just as well as Bergvall this season. Odobert starting was an exciting prospect with many fans hoping that he still had the potential to prove himself as a worthy signing last season.
The first half was frustrating, not really testing the keeper and when Minteh swept past Vicario it was already feeling like it might not be our day already. That was emphasised even more when Yasin Ayari's shot swerved out of Vicario's reach, raising eyebrows from fans of the away side. Richarlison, in my opinion, didn't have the greatest of games, but his goal seemed to give Spurs life as they ended the first half. I was expecting changes, hoping for Simon's to be put straight into the middle allowing Bergvall to drop deeper, but I had to wait until much later in the game. His impact as clear, testing the keeper and coming close on another occasion. Kudus ran the second half, eventually delivering the ball that was turned in by Van-Hecke. It never seemed like we were going to win from that point, but a draw was more than deserved. Thomas Frank himself claimed that this may be our most impressive performance yet and once again I wonder if this game would've ended as a hard fought draw under a different manager.
I'd like to give my flowers to Udogie, who had a brilliant performance. The difference in playstyles between himself and Spence are clear and we seemed very threatening when he went on a marauding run up the pitch. Romero once again proved his class, whilst Palhinha seems to quietly get on with his business in impressive fashion.
As more midweek action beckons I expect a much changed side to play Doncaster, mainly hoping that players such as Gray, Dane Scarlet and Tel can get some valuable minutes. Wolves will be an interesting game, another team that we seem to struggle against, but at the moment (and possibly for the first time in years) I'm approaching our fixtures with real confidence.
COYS!
