Brentford FC

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has explained the absence of Mark Flekken in the Bees' squad for the Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Frank confirmed that Flekken was injured and unable to feature, as Hákon Valdimarsson replaced his team-mate in the 2-0 defeat to Spurs at Gtech Community Stadium.

"He had a side strain," said the Bees boss. "Let's see, we have two weeks now until the next game. Hopefully, he'll be back for West Ham.

"I thought it was a solid performance from Hákon."

On the game itself, Frank added: "It feels like we missed an opportunity to get three points,” said the Bees boss.

“In many ways, it was a good performance, without it being a through-the-roof performance - we created so many opportunities and good situations without having enough cutting edge to create five or six 100-per-cent chances.

“We created more than enough to score at least one goal, and then it would have been a different game - that’s frustrating because it’s such small things that decide a match.

“For example, their first goal… we hadn’t conceded from a corner all season. It happens, it is what it is, we had plenty of time to get back into the game but we couldn’t do that.”

A Vitaly Janelt own goal and Pape Matar Sarr’s late strike consigned Brentford to a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday.

Janelt inadvertently turned Son Heung-min’s corner into his own net on 29 minutes before substitute Sarr added Spurs’ second goal late on.

An injury to goalkeeper Mark Flekken meant that Hákon Valdimarsson was included in a Premier League starting XI for the first time. Kristoffer Ajer replaced Mads Roerslev at right-back.

The two sides traded chances during the opening stages: Mikkel Damsgaard had a shot blocked by Archie Gray, before Dejan Kulusevski’s cross-shot narrowly evaded Richarlison at full stretch inside the six-yard box.

After Spurs keeper Antonín Kinský surrendered possession, Bryan Mbeumo darted to the byline and lifted a cross into the area, which Yoane Wissa headed narrowly over the crossbar.

Gray was again well placed to prevent Kevin Schade’s drilled effort from reaching Kinský, while Richarlison and Kulusevki both had shots blocked at the other end after Djed Spence had delivered low from the left.

Wissa went close midway through the half, beating Porro to Janelt’s teasing cross and heading over the bar.

Mbeumo was next to try his luck, drifting past Spence on the right and curling the ball straight at Kinský.

Despite the Bees’ pressure, it was Tottenham who took the lead on 29 minutes.

Yves Bissouma’s powerful effort struck Janelt and bounced out for a corner. Son delivered an in-swinger from the left which struck Janelt’s back in a crowded six-yard box and the ball rolled across the line.

Brentford immediately went in search of an equaliser. The industrious Ajer teed up Nørgaard in the centre of the box, but Kinský was equal to the Dane’s first-time strike which he did well to keep on target.

Thomas Frank’s side ended the first half with a series of corners. Damsgaard’s final delivery dropped kindly for Mbeumo on the edge of the area, and the forward’s half volley – which looked destined to test Kinský – was bravely blocked by Richarlison who took the ball square in the face.

The Bees began the second half with purpose. With Wissa bearing down, Kinský got a crucial hand on Nørgaard’s sublime first-time cross from the right.

Damsgaard’s delivery from the opposite side was glanced on by Schade and Wissa diverted the ball onto the crossbar.

But Tottenham still posed a threat. Kulusevski, played through by Rodrigo Bentancur, struck the side netting. Kulusevski then turned provider, passing to substitute Lucas Bergvall on the edge of Brentford’s box who dragged narrowly wide of Valdimarsson’s left post.

New signing Michael Kayode replaced Ajer as Frank looked to inject some fresh impetus during the final 15 minutes.

The debutant immediately won his side a corner, which was delivered by Mbeumo and headed away by a Spurs defender. Kayode then launched in a throw from the right which was headed tamely by Sepp van den Berg straight at Kinský.

On 87 minutes, just moments after substitute Fábio Carvalho had gone close with an overhead kick, Spurs struck the killer blow. Pape Matar Sarr exchanged passes with Son, advanced into the box and poked beyond the on-rushing Valdimarsson to double the visitors' advantage.

Brentford: Valdimarsson; Ajer (Kayode 76), Collins, van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Nørgaard (Carvalho 84), Janelt (Jensen 65), Damsgaard; Schade, Wissa, Mbeumo

Subs not used: Eyestone, Pinnock, Mee, Yarmoliuk, Konak, Maghoma

Tottenham Hotspur: Kinský; Porro, Gray, Davies, Spence; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Bissouma (Sarr 67); Moore (Bergvall HT), Richarlison (Scarlett 78), Son

Subs not used: Austin, Reguilón, Hardy, Cassanova, Olusesi, Ajayi

Attendance: 17,154

Frank: A missed opportunity for three points

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank was frustrated by his side's inability to secure a win against Tottenham on Sunday.

“It feels like we missed an opportunity to get three points,” said the Bees boss.

“In many ways, it was a good performance, without it being a through-the-roof performance - we created so many opportunities and good situations without having enough cutting edge to create five or six 100 per cent chances.

“We created more than enough to score at least one goal, and then it would have been a different game - that’s frustrating because it’s such small things that decide a match.

“For example, their first goal… we hadn’t conceded from a corner all season. It happens, it is what it is, we had plenty of time to get back into the game but we couldn’t do that.”

Kayode happy with home debut

Michael Kayode was pleased to play his first Premier League minutes in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.

The full-back replaced Kristoffer Ajer during the second half at Gtech Community Stadium.

“I’m so, so happy to make my debut at home,” he said.

“I want to say thank you to the coach for believing in me - I did my best.

“It was unbelievable and the fans are amazing. I’m settling in well. I have integrated very fast with the team - the people are amazing.”

Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur  Brentford FC

An emotive interview with Yehor Yarmoliuk is The Long Read in the matchday programme for Sunday's Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at Gtech Community Stadium.

The Brentford midfielder talks about the impact of the ongoing war in his home country of Ukraine and recalls the day that the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

“I lived in Dnipro,” he says. “I woke up because I heard some bombs. The first thing I did was call my family and ask what happened. They said, ‘The war has started’.

“I took my passport and important clothes and went to my family. I was living away from them so I went to my family as soon as possible.”

Yarmoliuk, who hasn't seen his father in two and a half years, also discusses moving to England when he didn't speak the language, and London becoming his "second home".

Read the full interview in Sunday's programme, which is available to buy around the Gtech before the Spurs game, or online at shop.brentfordfc.com.

ICYMI: Buzz Bee has been taken by the Beekeeper - but who's under the mask? It's your job, along with the Brentford squad, to follow the clues across the Bees' 2024/25 programme covers to try and find out.

On each programme cover, members of the squad will be following riddles across west London, which will eventually lead them to the club's mascot - and the identity of the Beekeeper - on the final day of the season.

Clues and hints - big and small - will be scattered across each programme cover for you, the supporters, to work out who has snatched Buzz.

And, if you do, you could be in with a chance of winning a shirt signed by the Brentford first-team squad. So make sure to buy a copy, keep your eyes peeled, and study every last corner of the cover!

Submit your answers on X with the hashtag #WhoTookBuzz, along with the name of your suspect. All correct answers will be put in a draw at the end of the campaign, with the winner securing the prize.

Programmes will be available inside and outside the ground - as well as from the Bees Merchandise Kiosk and the Bees Superstore - our sellers will be accepting contactless payments only.

Programmes can also be delivered directly to your door with a season-long subscription, which can be purchased for £120.

The subscription includes all 19 of the Bees' Premier League home games, as well as any cup games for the first team at Gtech Community Stadium this season.

Programmes will be sent via first class the day before each fixture. Please expect 3-5 working days to receive your order. This is UK delivery only.

Individual issues will be available in-store and online for those needing to fill any gaps in their collection.

Head coach Thomas Frank delivered a mixed injury update before Brentford’s Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Bees welcome Spurs to Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday (2pm kick-off) having beaten Crystal Palace 2-1 last time out.

Christian Nørgaard and Kevin Schade were both withdrawn at Selhurst Park – the latter after a brave header to double the west Londoners’ lead - but Frank confirmed the duo are fit and available to face Ange Postecoglou’s side.

The Bees are also boosted by the return of centre-back Ethan Pinnock, who has recovered from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since mid-December, while new signing Michael Kayode could make his Brentford debut on Sunday.

“He is a young man, full of optimism and power and willingness to play and run,” said Frank. “I like his approach a lot. He could be involved.”

Fellow full-back Rico Henry did not make the trip to south London last weekend. “It’s a hamstring injury,” said Frank. “Not a big one - he’s out running again. He will not be involved at the weekend. We are looking at weeks.”

Henry joins Josh Dasilva (knee), Igor Thiago (joint infection), Gustavo Nunes (back) and Aaron Hickey (hamstring) on the Bees’ injury list.

Another player that Brentford will of course be without on Sunday is Mads Roerslev, who joined Bundesliga side Wolfsburg on loan this week.

And Frank was full of praise for Roerslev following the defender’s exit.

“His journey has been incredible, starting in the B team,” said Frank.

“Every single time we called upon him, he never let us down. Always, as a minimum, he was very solid.

“He was part of some of our biggest moments in our Premier League history: wins against City, Liverpool, United and Chelsea. What a story.

“He said a few things after the game against Palace and it got emotional. It gives me goosebumps now. He is a fantastic example of what our environment and culture means. He deserves a lot of praise.”

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has spoken about Tottenham and Ange Postecoglu ahead of Spurs' visit to Gtech Community Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

The north Londoners are currently going through a difficult run of form, having won just one of their last 11 league games. However, Frank is confident that Postecoglu will "get through" this tough spell.

"We were also hit very hard by injuries last year so, from that perspective, I understand the situation Ange is in now at Tottenham," said the Bees boss.

"When results are also not going your way, that's tough. They're things we need to deal with as managers and I'm convinced that Ange is doing that well and he will get through it.

"He doesn't need advice, but he just needs to trust his own processes and trust what he believes in, which he does - that's the main thing.

"When we played Tottenham away earlier this season, we played a very, very good Tottenham team - I thought they were flying. When they hit their high level, they are very hard to play against.

"I expect a game between two teams that want to attack, so it could be open at times. We need to be the team that controls an open game, which is difficult."

Frank added: "I have massive respect for Ange. Speaking for myself, it is tough at times and feels like you're carrying everything on your shoulders.

"It is always my final call, it's the manager who stands there. That's why I can definitely put myself in his place.

"He's done very well to keep going and keep believing.

"Maybe, in one of his toughest moments, they will win a trophy, which will be massive for Tottenham. It could be one of those seasons where they suffer incredibly - and maybe they suffer even more - but they win a trophy."

On Sunday 2 February Brentford host Tottenham Hotspur at Gtech Community Stadium in the Premier League.

Kick-off is at 2pm. The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports.

Here’s some useful information to help you get ready for matchday. Fans are reminded to show respect for our hosts at all times before, during and after the match.

Charlie Rowley is our More Than A Game community captain

Clubs across England will be marking the Premier League’s More Than A Game campaign this weekend to highlight the impact that community programmes have on millions of people around country.

Each club is invited to nominate a community captain, and we’ve chosen Charlie Rowley, captain of the Brentford Penguins, a football team for children and young people with Down’s syndrome led by former Bees player Allan Cockram.

Take your seat at 1.20pm to watch Charlie receive his award pitchside.

Travel

Train

No disruptions are expected on matchday. Plan your journey to Gtech Community Stadium ahead of time to avoid delays.

Parking

We advise you to take public transport to the match where possible.

You can pre-book parking through our website for secure parking on matchday.

No reserved parking is available to supporters unless a space has been pre-booked.

Every Seat Counts – list your ticket on the exchange before the deadline

The deadline to list your season ticket on the exchange is Saturday 1 February, 2pm.

This season, we have moved the deadline to 2pm the day before each home game. If you know you cannot make the game, list your ticket to avoid getting a yellow card.

Read more about Every Seat Counts here.

Lion dance show for Lunar New Year

It’s the year of the Snake! Celebrate Lunar New Year with a lion dance show outside the box office at 12.55pm and 1.20pm.

Valentine’s Day sale at the Bees Superstore

It’s nearly time to celebrate the special Bee in your life. Visit the Bees Superstore on matchday and get three items for the price of two on our Valentine’s Day range, open from 10am until 6pm.

Watch the Premier League late kick-off and get £4 pints at the Dugout Bar

After the match, the Dugout Bar in the south stand will be open to Bees fans to enjoy, with our early bird prices on offer until closing time and £4 pints and deals on food!

We’ll also be showing Arsenal v Manchester City on the screens inside the bar at 4.30pm.

Entry is first come, first served. Last orders at 6.30pm before an 7pm close.

BeeOrder – Preorder your food before matchday

Use BeeOrder to skip the pre-match queues!

Use BeeOrder on the Brentford FC app to pre-order food and drink 72 hours before matchday. Items ordered on BeeOrder can only be collected pre-match, but you can beat the queues with access to our dedicated BeeOrder collection points.

Our self-service screens remain available to fans pre-ordering food for collection at any time.

Download the Brentford FC app for iOS or Android here.

Food and drink offers

Take advantage of our food and drink offers.

General admission early bird offers (available from 12.30pm-1pm)

£4 alcoholic drinks, including Carlsberg, Guinness, London Pride, cider, all spirit mixers and wines

£1.75 soft drinks

£4 food items, including chicken goujons, burgers and hotdogs

Premium lounges and the Dugout early bird offers (available from 11.30am-12.30pm)

All draught beers will be available for £4

All soft drinks will be £1.75 (bottles are not included in the offers)

All sausage rolls and pies will be available for £4 in the Dugout

Food items will be discounted by £2 in premium lounges

The Dugout post-match offers (until 6.30pm)

£4 pints

Early bird offers on food and drink, while stocks last

Countdown to kick-off - the timings you need to know

Brentford will be hoping to make it successive Premier League victories when Tottenham Hotspur visit Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday 2 February (2pm kick-off GMT).

The west Londoners won 2-1 at Crystal Palace last time out while Ange Postecoglou's Spurs lost at home to Leicester City by the same scoreline.

Analysis, team news, match officials and more. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the Bees’ latest test.

Pre-match Analysis

Richard Cole, Playmaker Stats: Brentford must be wary of Tottenham's threat from wide areas

According to Premier Injuries, Spurs are the only team with more players unavailable (12) than Brentford (10) in the Premier League right now.

In many ways, Spurs are the Brentford of last season: a team that is far below the points tally their collective talents have deserved.

And while Thomas Frank will no doubt not mind that the likes of Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Brennan Johnson are out for this fixture – the north London side still possesses plenty of threat going forward.

Chief among them is perhaps the influential Dejan Kulusevski. The Swedish international has publicly come out in defence of his manager recently and his on-field contributions show that he thrives under Ange Postecoglou.

Only Cole Palmer has managed more key passes (63) and more shot-creating actions (130) than Kulusevski this season with the 24-year-old contributing 58 key passes and 113 shot-creating actions respectively.

And if you discount the aforementioned injured trio of Solanke, Maddison, and Johnson, Kulusevski is the club's top scorer in the Premier League alongside captain Son Heung-min with six goals.

Speaking of the South Korean, he is always a threat. As well as his six goals this season, Son has six assists (joint-sixth in the league, one assist fewer than Mikkel Damsgaard) meaning that he has the joint-most goal contributions for Spurs (12), the same number as James Maddison (eight goals, four assists).

A lot of Spurs' threat comes through the wide areas and in particular on the right meaning that the Bees' left side will need to be well-prepared.

On the right side, Pedro Porro has been one of the Premier League's stand-out full-backs/wing-backs this campaign. The Spaniard has sent in the most accurate crosses this season (35) although that is a stat he currently shares with four other players: Andreas Pereira, Antonee Robinson, Dwight McNeil and Trent Alexander-Armstrong.

The Bees may want to make sure their left side is ready for the threat of Porro, especially considering that the player is also eighth in the league for passes into the penalty area (43).

This season, Postecoglou's outfit have particularly struggled on their travels after losing seven on the road – only bottom-of-the-league Southampton have suffered more defeats away from home (10).

And while Brentford have yet to win at home in the Premier League since defeating Newcastle United 4-2 back in early December there is still only one team (Liverpool, eight) with more top-flight wins than Brentford (seven) so far this season.

Scout Report

Dan Long, Sky Sports: Spurs still battling on four fronts

There’s no getting away from the fact that Tottenham’s Premier League season, and in particular the last couple of months of it, has been a disappointment.

In the last 11 Premier League games, Spurs have been on the losing side on eight occasions. They have taken the lead six times, but only won one game. There has been only one clean sheet and 24 goals conceded. The current run of seven without a victory is their longest top-flight winless record since they failed to win nine between May and October 2008.

Only Southampton are below them in the form table over the last 10 games.

Sunday’s defeat to Leicester means that, for the first time since a loss to Notts County in 1912, Spurs lost at home against a team that had lost their last seven league games in a row.

They were booed off the pitch in north London after the latest defeat and, speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Postecoglou said “a fair chunk” of people think he should be sacked as a result of the recent run of form.

But there are factors that might well play into the hands of the Australian.

Firstly, and most importantly, Tottenham’s injury record this term has done them absolutely no favours. At the time of writing, the following players are out of action: Dominic Solanke, Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Djed Spence, Micky van de Ven, Wilson Odobert and Cristian Romero.

James Maddison and Richarlison both scored in their most recent appearances, but both - along with Pape Matar Sarr - are walking wounded.

Football.london’s Rob Guest framed it well in Hot off the Press: “If you took nine or 10 players out of the Liverpool or Arsenal team, that would impact them as well.”

Regardless of what some might consider to be the beginnings of an unlikely relegation battle Spurs currently find themselves in, there are still opportunities to make the season a success elsewhere – and next week will be crucial.

On Thursday 6 February, they face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, a game they go into with a 1-0 aggregate lead.

On Sunday 9 February, they travel to Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup. And after four wins in their first seven league phase games, their Europa League journey continues, too.

"The players are committed to what we're doing. That's important to me. I believe in it,” said Postecoglou after the Leicester defeat. “This is as low as we've been this year but in the next three months we can do something really special. The players believe that.

“Right now it's hard to visualise that with our circumstances. Just look at the absences, but they will be back. All these things aren't allowing us to get any momentum. When those things change, we can make an impact."

"I'll correct myself: I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year,” was Postecoglou’s defiant response to a question during an interview with Sky Sports on pre-season comments where he said he "usually" wins trophies in his second season.

Will he continue that record by helping Spurs lift a trophy for the first time in 17 years?

In the Dugout

Ange Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou started out in management in his native Australia with South Melbourne, where he had spent his entire playing career.

After two years as assistant, he was handed the head coach role in 1996 and spent another four successful years at the club, before leaving to work with the Australia U17s and U20s national teams for the next seven years.

Having failed to guide the U20s to the 2007 World Cup in Canada, he left the national set-up to coach Greek outfit Panachaiki and later Whittlesea Zebras (now Brunswick Juventus) back home.

In 2009, he took over at Brisbane Roar and won the A-League Championship in 2010/11 and 2011/12, before moving on to Melbourne Victory, where he was unable to produce a similar level of success.

Postecoglou’s tenure at AAMI Park concluded prematurely, however, as he was appointed head coach of the senior Australia men’s team in October 2013.

He oversaw a reasonably encouraging group-stage campaign at the 2014 World Cup and guided the Socceroos to the Asian Cup the following year.

Australia later qualified for the 2018 World Cup, but Postecoglou resigned shortly afterwards to join Yokohama F Marinos of the Japanese J-League. He would go on to guide the club to its first title in 15 years in 2019.

He then went on to have two incredible years at Celtic, with whom he won an unbelievable 83 of his 113 games in charge on the way to two Scottish Premiership titles, one Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups.

The 59-year-old arrived in north London in the summer of 2023, just over two months after Antonio Conte left the club, and has the 12th-highest win ratio of any Spurs manager, with 48.7 per cent.

The Gameplan

With Rob Guest, football.london

Rob Guest, Tottenham writer for football.london, explains how Spurs are likely to be set up to face the Bees.

"Postecoglou did go with a back three at Everton recently, but that did not work," said Guest. "I do not think we will be seeing that for a long time!

"With the players he has got available, he is just trying to fit what suits them. I think it will be the usual 4-3-3 and you know what you are going to get with Spurs.

"They are a very attacking team, which is what everyone loves to see, but there are going to be chances for Brentford there."

Last Premier League starting XI v Leicester City (4-3-3): Kinsky; Porro, Drăgușin, Davies, Gray; Bergvall, Bentancur, Sarr; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son

Read our full interview with Rob Guest here

Match Officials

Gillett set for first Brentford assignment of the season

Referee: Jarred Gillett

Assistants: Darren Cann and Mark Scholes

Fourth official: John Busby

Video assistant referee: Graham Scott

Born on the Gold Coast, Australia, highly rated A-League referee Jarred Gillett emigrated to England in 2019 to study at Liverpool John Moore’s University, specialising in research on children with Cerebral Palsy.

He went on to make his EFL officiating debut in April of that same year.

Gillett made history in September 2021 when he became the first overseas official to referee a Premier League match when he took charge of Watford v Newcastle United.

His last Brentford assignment was the Bees’ 5-1 victory over Luton Town in April 2024.

Gillett has refereed 10 games this season, showing 44 yellow cards and one red.

Memorable Meeting

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Brentford 3 (Premier League, 20 May 2023)

Bryan Mbeumo inspired a superb second-half comeback as Brentford kept their European hopes alive with a 3-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Cameroon international clinically finished twice and put the other on a plate for Yoane Wissa as Thomas Frank’s Bees scored three without reply after the break.

Those goals cancelled out Harry Kane’s early strike for Spurs and moved Brentford to within a point of their hosts with one game left to play.

Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou retains the backing of the club's board, explains Rob Guest, Tottenham writer for football.london.

Tottenham sit 15th in the Premier League ahead of Sunday's trip to face Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium, with their disappointing season so far severely hampered by injuries.

Tottenham have one win in their last 11 Premier League games. How would you summarise the last two months?

It has not gone well at all, and the Premier League table tells that whole story. For Spurs to be in 15th, closer to the relegation zone than the top 10, just shows what has actually happened at the club over the past couple of months.

Injuries have really hit the team hard and it is injuries to big players as well; the likes of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie – that is pretty much all of the backline.

Richarlison has just returned after being out for a long time, but you have got Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and James Maddison in the treatment room at the minute - and there are probably other players I have not even mentioned there, so that just shows how bad it is.

I think if you took nine or 10 players out of the Liverpool or Arsenal team, that would impact them as well. It has just been a horrible period for Spurs and for Ange Postecoglou.

The natural question to ask in a run of form like that is how much pressure Postecoglou is under. How much time do you think he's got to turn it around?

We reported last week that Postecoglou retains the backing of Spurs' board. Spurs remain intent on trying to help him rather than removing him from his position, so there is certainly a backing from those within the club.

But it is a results-based business and you can probably understand why he is odds-on with some bookies to lose his job.

I think there is certainly an understanding at the club of the situation Spurs have been in with the injuries, because it's been unprecedented. But again, you have just got to register the wins and that is what Spurs need right now.

What is a realistic target for Spurs for the rest of the season?

Finish as high as possible in the Premier League. That has got to be it for the league as they are quite a way off those European places now.

But the thing is, Spurs are still battling on four fronts: they are in the Europa League, and in a decent position to qualify; they are 1-0 up in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup against Liverpool; and then they are still in the FA Cup.

They have got a really tough game away at Villa in the latter competition, but they have won four of the five games at Villa Park since Villa came back into the Premier League in 2019. So there is still an awful lot for Tottenham to play for in what remains of the season and cup competitions will be huge.

Spurs have not won a trophy since 2008 and everyone is desperate for them to win one, so fingers crossed that is what they will be able to do.

Like I said, in terms of the league, they are probably going to finish as high as they possibly can to hopefully get some European football for next season, though they might be able to do that via the Europa League if they win that.

Which player should Brentford fans be keeping an eye out for at the weekend?

I will go with Dejan Kulusevski because he has been available for the majority of the season and I think he has been Spurs' best player. He is consistent, but I think he needs a break from the team just because he has been playing every few days.

When Kulusevski is on top of his game, it is fantastic for Spurs and he has really made an impact this season.

He has moved into a central position playing in the midfield three and has really excelled there but because of the injuries, he has been flipped between that role and being on the right wing. But wherever he plays, he can have a big impact.

I also need to mention Lucas Bergvall, who has been fantastic since he has come into the team. I think it was always going to take him a lot of time to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Premier League, but I would say, since December, he has really, really kicked on and looks at home in the Premier League.

He is definitely a contender to be a regular starter for Spurs now. Then there is Djed Spence, who has been playing as a left-back.

He is a right-back by trade, but you cannot really tell. He has flourished on the left and is certainly one of the players Postecoglou and the club can count upon because, at times when Spurs have been struggling, not getting those results in the league, he has been at the top of his game and it is great to see him doing that.

What should Brentford expect from Spurs in terms of shape and style?

Postecoglou did go with a back three at Everton recently, but that did not work, so I do not think we will be seeing that for a long time!

With the players he has got available, he is just trying to fit what suits them. I think it will be the usual 4-3-3 and you know what you are going to get with Spurs.

They are a very attacking team, which is what everyone loves to see, but there are going to be chances for Brentford there.

Spurs won the previous meeting 3-1 in September. What's your score prediction for this one?

Brentford have been really good at home this season and Spurs haven’t won there yet; it has always been a draw. I will go with a 2-2 draw, like it was on the opening day of last season.

Matas Klimas has experienced the highs and lows of academy football to date, helping the defender “cherish” the chance to play for Brentford.

A member of Lydia Bedford’s Under-18s squad, Matas has become a vital member of the young Bees’ defence since signing a two-year scholarship near the beginning of the 2023/24 season.

His development has been clear in his one year at Jersey Road, however it followed a tough period for the defender.

Matas was not offered a scholarship by Tottenham Hotspur after four years in north London, leading him to trial with multiple clubs before settling at Brentford.

“After not receiving my scholarship at Spurs, I went on trial to Cambridge United, Colchester United, Barnsley and QPR where I was rejected,” said Matas.

“I also went to Leyton Orient where I was offered a scholarship, but I made the decision to not sign there as I believed it wasn’t the right pathway for me and not where I wanted to be for the next two years.

“It wasn’t a great time as I had to deal with that decision plus an important year of education as I did my GCSEs, but I knew it was the right time for me to leave and there wouldn’t be much of a pathway for me if I stayed [at Tottenham].

“It was for the better and I made sure when the right opportunity came at Brentford that I would be cherish it as much as possible.”

Football has been a love of Matas’s for as long as he can remember and is a pathway his parents could see him going down before he was born.

“Funnily enough before I was born my parents wanted me to become a footballer as I was kicking so much in my mum’s belly,” explained Matas.

“Then at the age of four I went to my local team Dagenham United. I played for multiple grassroots teams around the east London/Essex area until the age of 12 when I signed for Tottenham.

"I was so grateful for this opportunity as a year before I had an unsuccessful trial at Millwall which made me understand how lucky I was to sign for such a big club.

“I spent four years at Spurs, then I didn’t receive a scholarship to continue my development and instead had to trial at multiple clubs.

"At the start of the 2023/24 season I was offered a trial at Brentford and after the first day I knew this was the place I wanted to be at.”

While continuing his development under Bedford and her team, Matas has enjoyed international duties with Lithuania.

“It’s a great achievement for me to represent my family name and play for my country throughout the youth age groups, so I wish to continue getting better and playing on the international stage,” said Matas.

Now one of the experienced players of the U18s side, Matas hopes to continue his strong development.

Having seen last season’s U18s team-mates Ollie Shield, Kerron Samuels, Andre Grey and Yaw Agyei transition into the B team set-up, Matas hopes to follow their path.

“When you see your team-mates from last year pushing on and making it to that next level, it just adds extra motivation for myself as I believe I can also get there and push on in my career,” he explained.