Tottenham Hotspur

We begin our Subway Women’s League Cup group phase against Aston Villa at Brisbane Road on Wednesday night (7pm UK) – secure your tickets now – and we put some strong statistics on the line.

Welcoming the Villains to the capital, we’ll be protecting an impressive stat in our opening game in the competition, having just lost once in eight games in the first fixture of the group games (in the 90 minutes) since we were eligible to take part in the competition for the 2017/18 campaign – our only defeat coming in September, 2019, with a 4-0 defeat to Reading.

And we certainly enjoy goals at this stage in the competition.

Having played 21 group games so far, we’ve scored an impressive 61 goals, with 11 netted in a single game against Watford in November, 2011.

Meanwhile, this will just be the second time we’ve faced Villa in this competition, having previously come up against them last term where a 40-yard screamer from Eveliina Summanen earned us a 1-0 win at Brisbane Road.

Last time out against Villa in the Women's League Cup

"He came in and did exactly what we thought he could do in that 10 position," said Thomas Frank, speaking about Xavi Simons' impressive second-half cameo against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Having started off the left wing against West Ham United and Villarreal, our summer arrival replaced Rodrigo Bentancur trailing 2-1 with just under half an hour to play at the Amex and changed the complexion of the contest from midfield in our spirited 2-2 draw in the Premier League.

After Richarlison halved the deficit shortly before half-time following earlier goals from Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Yasin Ayari, the Dutch international's impact was almost immediate as he rifled a shot wide moments after stepping onto the pitch and continued to pull the strings in his more central role.

While he didn't directly contribute with a goal or assist, Xavi's three attempts on goal was bettered only by Richy (five) in our colours and one of those forced a smart stop from Bart Vergrubben to deny him his first Spurs goal six minutes after entering the action.

Shortly after, Lucas Bergvall stepped over Mohammed Kudus' cutback from the right which found our number seven in space but he sent his first-time shot narrowly wide much to his own frustration.

His creative abilities were also on full display, completing all six of his attempted passes in our opponent's final third, to create space for himself and his teammates and show a willingness to take the game to the home side.

Having carved open the Seagulls' defence by dribbling from deep and fashioning a chance for our number nine inside the box who shot straight at the goalkeeper 10 minutes from time, he then found Mo in space on the right flank two minutes later whose in-swinging cross was turned into his own net by Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke to ensure we came away with a point on the south coast.

Watch | How Xavi Simons provided the second-half spark on the south coast

Xavi's standout display provided the much-needed spark and was exactly what our Head Coach was after as he employed his summer signing in the advanced midfield role for the first time.

"Of course, he had a good pre-season and he played two games in Germany, but he's still coming into a team and all that," continued Thomas.

"On any other day, he'd score a goal. He got a great finish on the first one, great save from Verbruggen, and the other one, he mistimes. He could have got an assist to Richy, where Lucas takes the ball, he doesn't see him.

"I think he can play both. I think he can easily play the left winger, that can go more inside. I also think he'd have the right position to... sometimes the playmakers, they drift to the side because there's no space in the middle. So I think he can do that. But 10, obviously he can play that as well."

A young goalkeeper is overcoming the challenges of living with cerebral palsy (CP) to follow his dream of playing football, with Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s CP team helping him to make strides on and off the pitch.

Reks Marku, 17, features on CBBC’s The Football Academy as it follows the lives of young Spurs footballers.

The show tracks Reks as he joins up with the Foundation’s CP team for his first ever tournament at the University of Warwick in March.

Reks was expected to mainly watch and learn from number one goalkeeper Joe Quick, but was thrust into the spotlight after Joe picked up a concussion in the early stages.

The tournament had a conclusion fitting for TV, with Reks helping the team go on and lift the CP Challenge Trophy – the team’s first trophy after forming last September.

Reks said: “It felt unreal. I was expecting to have a part to play, but not to the extent I did. I thought I was dreaming, but then I soaked it in and realised, one, I performed really well, and two, we won a trophy at the end of it. We hadn’t been together for long so that was a great achievement.”

Proud parents Elona and Isa cheered wildly for Reks and his team-mates. It marked an “extremely proud” moment for them after their journey with Reks. Recalling it, a teary-eyed Elona explained: “Reks was diagnosed at two years old. We knew he had brain damage when he was born and were prepared for the very worst, that being he may never walk, talk or see.

“He was only nine years old when he first asked why he was different. The hardest part was from 12-15, he was a teen with a disability, coming to terms with all the feelings. It’s been extraordinarily difficult, but since starting football with Spurs he has calmed and you can see the difference.”

While Reks played football at school, the Foundation has provided him with his first opportunity to play alongside others of similar physical abilities. He said: “The first time I ever told people I was playing for Spurs, they were all happy for me because they knew that was my dream.”

Elona continued: “Emotionally and mentally, I think he’s a lot calmer, a lot more collected, a lot more understanding, and while he’s still in the process of fully accepting his different abilities, I think it’s truly helped.

“It helps him realise he’s worth it. I think he feels, ‘even though I’ve got a disability, I can actually make something of my life, I can do something and people can look up to me’.”

CP is a heath condition affecting movement and coordination, primarily caused by a shortage of oxygen in parts of the brain before, during or soon after birth.

Elona said: “For Reks, generally, his left side is weaker than his right and he gets tired very quickly. Cognitively, it affects him in different ways and can be frustrating. We’ve come to realise we can only help him to manage his emotions in a correct way and the football with Spurs both helps with that and gives him an escape.”

In CP football, players are assigned a classification, ranging from minimally impaired to significantly impaired, based on their range of movement and the location of their impairment. There is a limit on the number of players from each classification allowed on the pitch at any one time. Matches are seven a-side and most often two halves of 30 minutes.

Reks concluded: “It feels great because all I used to dream about was being a football player, so to be playing, especially for a club like Tottenham Hotspur, it’s an amazing feeling.

“For now, I’m just focusing on Spurs and my development, but hopefully in the future I can win a load of trophies, play for England and in the Paralympics.”

John Abel, Foundation programme coordinator who takes charge of the CP team, said: “Reks has shown a great level of growth in a short period of time. His dedication to the game, along with support from us coaches and the rest of the team, is helping him realise his potential as a footballer and a person, and we look forward to seeing his continued development.”

The CP team trains and plays at weekends. Anyone interested in finding out more can email john.abel@tottenhamhotspur.com

Ahead of our Carabao Cup third round tie against Doncaster Rovers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday evening (7.45pm UK), we take a closer look at our most recent clash against Rovers - a 5-1 away win in the second round of the League Cup back in August, 2009...

Danny's Donny debut

Danny Rose was born and grew up in Doncaster - so maybe it was written in the stars that he would make both his senior and Spurs debuts at his home-town club. The flying full-back joined our Academy from Leeds United in the summer of 2007. Sent out on loan to Watford in March, 2009, Danny made his senior professional debut in a Championship fixture at Doncaster on 4 April, 2009. Back at Spurs for the start of the 2009/10 campaign, Danny was back at the Keepmoat Stadium (now Eco-Power Stadium) a few months later for a League Cup second round tie and came off the bench for Tom Huddlestone on 72 minutes as we ran out 5-1 winners - all in front of his family. Later that season, Danny made a never to be forgotten full debut against Arsenal, smashing home a rocket volley from 35 yards in a 2-1 win on our way to UEFA Champions League qualification. Danny went on to make 214 appearances for us, starting the UCL Final in June, 2019.

Double first for Crouchy

Peter Crouch scored his first senior goal for us on his first start on the same night at Doncaster. Crouchy held off two defenders to power home David Bentley's corner to make it 3-0 after 37 minutes. Signed from Portsmouth in the summer of 2009, the striker started our first four Premier League games on the bench before leading the line against Rovers. He was back on the bench in our next Premier League game against Birmingham City - this time entering the fray to score his first PL goal for us in late 2-1 victory at the Lane. Of course, Crouchy's season would end in glory as he headed home the goal against City at the Etihad that took us into the UEFA Champions League for the 2010/11 season - arguably the most important (although he did score the winner in our famous 1-0 win against Milan in the San Siro) of his 24 in 93 appearances 2009-2011.

Our record against Rovers

We've played Doncaster nine times over the years. Our first encounter was a Second Division clash in December, 1935 with Rovers running out 2-1 winners. We won the return later in the season, 3-1 at the Lane. The last two meetings have been in the League Cup and stand 12-3 in our favour - a 7-2 win in 1975 and the 5-1 success detailed above. John Duncan led the the way with a hat-trick in the fifth round tie 50 years ago with Martin Chivers (2), John Pratt and an own goal completing the seven.

Rovers will become the 55th different opponent to play against our men’s first team in competitive matches at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since the new stadium opened in April, 2019. On top of Premier League and European opposition, we've only played four lower league teams in domestic cup competitions so far - Brentford (when they were in the Championship), Middlesbrough, Morecambe and Portsmouth.

It's quiz time! Can you name every team to have faced us in a competitive game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?

Ahead of the visit of Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup this week, Donny will be the 55th different side to face us in a competitive fixture since we moved to our world class home in April, 2019.

So can you name the 54 different teams to have visited Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a competitive game to date?

To take on the challenge, click the green 'Play Quiz' button below to get started before inputting your answers in the box titled 'enter team'.

You will have 15 minutes to name as many of the 54 teams as you can. To help, the nation the team are from is listed next to their relevant answer box.

브라이튼 2-2 토트넘 | 토마스 프랭크 감독 기자회견 일문일답

@SpursOfficial

Sun 21 September 2025, 11:00| Tottenham Hotspur

토마스 프랭크 감독이 지난 20일(한국시간) 잉글랜드 프리미어리그(EPL) 브라이튼 앤 호브 알비온 FC와의 2-2 무승부 직후 아멕스 스타디움에서 취재진과 만났다.

"정말 기쁘다. 경기 전부터 선수들과 멘탈에 대해 이야기를 나눴다. 챔피언스리그 첫 경기를 치르고 곧바로 강팀 브라이튼 원정에 나섰는데 이런 상황에서는 결국 멘탈이 가장 중요하다. 물론 전술과 구조, 경기 계획 같은 요소들도 필요하지만 결국 어려운 순간에도 버텨내는 힘은 멘탈에서 나온다. 경기 시작은 마음에 들었다. 원정이었지만 초반부터 적극적으로 압박했고 10~12분 동안은 브라이튼이 하프라인을 넘지도 못했다고 본다. 하지만 곧바로 실점했는데 브라이튼을 칭찬해야 할 부분이고 우리도 더 잘할 수 있었다. 아주 근소한 차이로 오프사이드가 아니었을 뿐이다. 그럼에도 계속 밀어붙였고 좋은 골도 나왔다. 물론 빅(비카리오)이 더 잘 막을 수도 있었지만 시즌 내내 훌륭하게 해주고 있으니 괜찮다. 경기 후에도 이야기를 나눴다. 중요한 건 흔들리지 않고 계속해서 경기 계획을 지켰다는 점이다. 선수들이 체력적으로도 강한 모습을 보여줬다. 주중에 챔피언스리그를 치르고도 강한 압박과 템포를 유지했다는 건 프리시즌 준비와 퍼포먼스 스태프들의 지원이 잘 이뤄졌다는 증거다. 지난해 이곳에서는 2-0으로 앞서다가 2-3으로 역전패했는데 이번에는 0-2에서 2-2로 따라잡았다. 큰 차이라고 생각한다. 사실 오늘 승부에서 승자가 있었다면 내 생각에는 우리가 그랬어야 한다. 상대 박스 안에서 만든 장면, 크로스 수, 기회 모두 우리가 더 많았다고 본다"

교체 투입된 사비 시몬스의 활약은 어떻게 보나

"사비는 교체로 들어와 10번 자리에서 우리가 기대했던 걸 정확히 보여줬다. 프리시즌에서 좋은 활약을 했고 독일에서도 두 경기를 소화했지만 아직은 우리 팀에 완전히 녹아드는 과정이다. 다른 날이었다면 골을 넣었을 거다. 첫 번째 슈팅은 마무리가 아주 좋았는데 페르브뤼헌의 선방에 막혔고, 두 번째는 타이밍이 살짝 어긋났다. 히샬리송에게 패스할 수도 있었는데 루카스가 공을 가져가는 상황이라 보지 못했다"

사비에게 10번이 더 자연스러운 포지션이라고 보나

"둘 다 가능하다고 본다. 왼쪽 윙어로 뛰면서 안쪽으로 파고드는 역할도 충분히 소화할 수 있다. 또 중앙에 공간이 없을 때 플레이메이커들이 측면으로 빠지기도 하는데, 사비도 그런 움직임을 잘 소화할 수 있는 위치 감각을 가지고 있다. 물론 10번 자리에서도 뛸 수 있는 선수다"

지난 시즌에는 팀의 회복력이 종종 의심받았는데, 이번 시즌 이렇게 빨리 그 회복력을 만들어낸 게 놀랍지 않은가

"정말 만족스럽다. 전반전 장면 하나가 기억난다. 우리가 수비 전환 상황에서 끝까지 스프린트하며 따라가는 모습은 소름이 돋을 정도였다. 기본적인 부분이지만 강한 팀들과 맞서려면 반드시 필요한 요소다. 선수들이 정말 좋은 팀을 이루고 있다. 경기가 끝난 뒤에도 늘 아쉬워하고, 비기거나 역전해도 이기지 못한 것에 실망한다. 그런 태도가 중요하다. 이번 경기가 올 시즌 들어 가장 완성도 높은 경기였다고 생각한다. 두 골을 내주긴 했지만 전체적으로 긍정적인 부분이 훨씬 많았다. 전방 압박도 강했고, 일대일 대처도 매우 공격적이었다. 말한 것처럼 팀 안에 회복력과 정신력이 잘 자리 잡고 있다"

모하메드 쿠두스에게서 가장 인상 깊었던 점은 무엇인가

"두 가지가 가장 눈에 띈다. 첫 번째는 헌신적인 태도다. 특히 역습을 끊고 전방 압박을 하는 수비적인 부분에서 얼마나 열심히 뛰는지가 크게 와 닿는다. 두 번째는 볼을 지켜내는 능력이다. 공이 들어가면 잘 붙잡아두고, 50 대 50 상황에서도 거의 잃지 않는다. 여기에 세 번째로 쿠두스의 일대일 능력은 놀라울 정도다. 힘이 좋고 순간 스피드가 뛰어나서 뛰어나서 오른쪽 측면을 완전히 지배했다"

브라이튼의 두 번째 골 장면은 빅이 스스로 아쉬워하고 있을까? 아니면 보기만큼 단순한 상황은 아니었나

"항상 겉으로 보이는 것만큼 단순하지는 않다. 정말 좋은 슈팅이었지만, 그럼에도 빅은 스스로 아쉬워할 것이다. 막고 싶었던 골이다"

브렌트퍼드 FC 시절에는 선수 개개인의 기량을 끌어올린 것이 성공의 한 요인이었다. 지금의 팀에서도 몇몇 선수들에게서 10, 20, 30% 정도의 성장을 이끌어낼 수 있다고 보나

"그렇기를 바란다. 올바른 메시지를 계속 전달하려 한다. 예를 들어 오늘 우리는 많은 크로스를 올렸다. 그것은 우리가 추구하는 축구의 큰 부분이다. 하지만 크로스의 질이나 침투는 더 나아질 수 있다. 그래서 선수들이 올바른 공간으로 뛰어들도록 계속 지도할 것이다. 리치(히샬리송)가 그 공간으로 침투했다면 두 골은 더 넣었을 것이다. 나는 모든 선수가 계속 발전할 수 있다고 믿는다. 코칭스태프 역시 같은 믿음을 가지고 있다"

이번 경기가 올 시즌 가장 완성도 높은 경기였다고 본 이유를 좀 더 설명해줄 수 있나

"두 골을 내주긴 했지만 경기를 단순히 잘했느냐 못했느냐로만 볼 수는 없다. 한 골은 빅이 막았어야 했다고 생각할 것이고, 다른 한 골은 프리미어리그라면 나올 수 있는 실점 장면이었다. 이 두 상황을 빼면 우리는 수비적으로도 잘해냈다. 전방 압박은 매우 공격적이었고 거의 항상 공을 다시 되찾았다. 빌드업에서도 대부분 깔끔하게 빠져나왔고, 상대 진영에서는 주도권을 잡았다. 기회를 많이 만들었고 역습 차단과 크로스 대응도 안정적이었다. 우리가 추구하는 장면들이 경기 전반에 잘 드러났다. 거기에 0-2에서 다시 따라잡은 정신력이 더해졌다는 점이 중요하다. 이런 요소들이 오늘 경기를 올 시즌 가장 완성도 높은 경기로 만들었다"

도미닉 솔란케와 랑달 콜로 무아니가 동시에 뛸 때 팀에 어떤 변화를 줄 수 있다고 보나

"좋은 질문이다. 솔직히 지금은 나도 확답하기 어렵다. 현재로서는 꾸준함이 가장 중요하다. 프리미어리그 다섯 경기를 치렀는데, 네 경기는 좋았고 한 경기는 나빴다. 나는 그런 나쁜 경기를 원하지 않는다. 그런 모습을 없애고 매번 좋은 경기력을 꾸준히 보여줄 수 있는지가 핵심이다. 그 과정에서 실수가 나오거나 불리한 상황에 몰려도 승점을 챙길 수 있어야 한다. 또 어떤 날은 경기를 뒤집어 2-1이나 3-2로 이길 수도 있다"

윌슨 오도베르의 첫 선발 출전을 어떻게 평가하나

"만족스러웠다. 활기차게 뛰었고, 상대가 오도베르를 조금 두려워하는 듯했다. 그래서 공을 잡아 돌고 앞으로 치고 나갈 시간이 있었다. 크로스를 여러 차례 시도했고 좋은 기회도 만들었다. 골 장면에도 관여했고 열심히 뛰었다. 첫 선발치고는 충분히 좋은 활약이었다"

콜로 무아니는 한 경기만 결장하게 되나

"그렇기를 바란다. 단순한 타박상이다. 사실 지난 나흘, 닷새 동안 계속 불편함을 겪고 있었고 우리가 기대한 만큼 빨리 가라앉지 않았다. 그래도 수요일 카라바오컵 돈캐스터전에는 돌아올 수 있기를 바란다"

데스티니 우도기가 선발로 뛸 수 있을 만큼 몸 상태를 끌어올리기를 기다려왔나

"그렇다. 하지만 솔직히 말하면 우리는 이미 세 명의 아주 뛰어난 풀백을 보유하고 있다. 제드 스펜스는 환상적인 활약을 보여주고 있다. 그래서 다른 선수가 그렇게 잘하고 있을 때는 우도기를 너무 일찍 투입할 이유가 없었다. 하지만 시즌 전체를 놓고 보면 세 명 모두가 필요하다. 우리는 올 시즌 약 60경기를 치를 것으로 예상한다. 엄청나다. 리버풀도 이번 주중 경기와 오늘 경기에서 풀백 두 명을 모두 바꿨다. 그만큼 중요한 포지션이다. 우리는 풀백들이 끊임없이 오르내리기를 원한다. 그래서 모든 선수가 필요하다. 오늘 데스티니의 모습에는 매우 만족한다"

감독으로서 오늘과 같은 경기를 즐기는 편인가

"가능하다면 언제나 경기를 컨트롤하고 싶다. 그래도 오늘 우리 팀이 보여준 공격적인 모습은 마음에 들었다. 앞으로 나아가면서 좋은 기회도 많이 만들었다. 우리는 상당히 위협적으로 보였다. 그 부분이 특히 만족스럽다"

Bethany England was full of disappointment following Friday night’s 5-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

The visitors scored four goals without reply in 80 minutes at Brisbane Road and, despite Olivia Holdt pulling a goal back for us with a stunning strike from distance, the Citizens piled on more misery in stoppage time when Laura Coombs added a fifth, condemning us to our first loss of the season.

Captain Bethany was quick to head over to the supporters after the full-time whistle, taking time to acknowledge their support, and she was first to apologise to them after she described a performance that was ‘not good enough’ on the night.

“Disappointment, anger and a lot of self-reflection,” she told SPURSPLAY, reflecting on the game. “We know it wasn't good enough. I just said in the media to the fans, we're sorry for that performance. We've prided ourselves on a strong start.

“We need to be stronger and realise that they can be punished, as we saw when we scored a cracking goal, they do concede. But on the day, we have to not be fearful. I don’t think we were fearful, but I do think we gave them far too much respect.”

“In the first 15 minutes, I thought we were all over them, we just weren’t able to create an opportunity and take our chance. Unfortunately, they went and scored, and it knocked the wind out of us.

“We knew we were capable of scoring ourselves, but I felt like our heads went down too quickly. I’m not sure why because I felt we were the better team in the first 20 minutes. We need to figure out how to sustain that for longer periods, especially against tough opposition.

“We obviously need to reflect and see where we can improve, but we’re just sorry because it wasn’t good enough.”

Bethany England was full of disappointment following Friday night’s 5-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

The visitors scored four goals without reply in 80 minutes at Brisbane Road and, despite Olivia Holdt pulling a goal back for us with a stunning strike from distance, the Citizens piled on more misery in stoppage time when Laura Coombs added a fifth, condemning us to our first loss of the season.

Captain Bethany was quick to head over to the supporters after the full-time whistle, taking time to acknowledge their support, and she was first to apologise to them after she described a performance that was ‘not good enough’ on the night.

“Disappointment, anger and a lot of self-reflection,” she told SPURSPLAY, reflecting on the game. “We know it wasn't good enough. I just said in the media to the fans, we're sorry for that performance. We've prided ourselves on a strong start.

“We need to be stronger and realise that they can be punished, as we saw when we scored a cracking goal, they do concede. But on the day, we have to not be fearful. I don’t think we were fearful, but I do think we gave them far too much respect.”

“In the first 15 minutes, I thought we were all over them, we just weren’t able to create an opportunity and take our chance. Unfortunately, they went and scored, and it knocked the wind out of us.

“We knew we were capable of scoring ourselves, but I felt like our heads went down too quickly. I’m not sure why because I felt we were the better team in the first 20 minutes. We need to figure out how to sustain that for longer periods, especially against tough opposition.

“We obviously need to reflect and see where we can improve, but we’re just sorry because it wasn’t good enough.”

Three of our Academy players will spend the rest of the 2025/26 campaign on a dual registration with FA Women’s National League (FAWNL) sides.

Kendra Brown has joined FAWNL Division One South East side Dulwich Hamlet and was straight into the action for the side.

Named in their starting XI for their fixture away at QPR on Sunday, the midfielder provided the assist for the Hamlet’s opener, squaring the ball across to Rhea Gall to fire home on the stroke of half time.

QPR levelled the scoring just after the hour mark, but Neve Mayes converted from the penalty spot, after Kendra was brought down inside the box, to net a late winner for Dulwich Hamlet.

Kendra completed the full match to help her side to their first away league victory of the campaign and was named Player of the Match.

Elsewhere, forward Cruz Fuller-Fagan and midfielder Ruby Gaitely have joined FAWNL Southern Premier Division side Hashtag United.

The pair both featured in Sunday’s clash with Exeter City as they completed 45 minutes on the south coast after being introduced at half time.

Under the terms of the dual registration, they will continue to train with us on selected days of the week alongside training and matchday commitments with their respective clubs.

Q1: You must be delighted with the character the team showed to come back from 2-0 down...

Thomas: "Yes, very happy with that. We spoke about mentality before the game with the players. To go down here against a good Brighton side, away from home, on the back of our first Champions League game, it's all about mentality. Of course, we need structure and tactics and game plan and all that... we like to praise ourselves as coaches, but at the end of the day, it's mentality to stay in there when it's tough. I love the way we started the game, away from home, boom, just on top of it. I don't think Brighton were over the halfway line in the first 10, 12 minutes or whatever it was. Then they scored a goal, praise to Brighton, we can do better, and it's like this close to being offside. We keep going, keep on it and then great goal, but Vic can do better. Very happy with him, spoke to him, so I think he's had a great season for us and it happens. We keep going, we stay in the game, stick to the game plan, and I thought we looked physically strong. I thought the players looked strong and were intense throughout the game, even though we had a midweek game, which I'm very happy with the physical preparation during pre-season and everything the team has done, with big help from the performance staff. So, the mentality, the physical aspect, I thought that was key. Last year we came here and were 2-0 up, lost 3-2. Now we’re 2-0 down and come back 2-2. I think it's good. If there should have been a winner, in my eyes, I'm maybe slightly biased, I think it should have been us. I think the amount of crosses, the amount of touches in the opponent's box, the amount of nearby and also chances, was more than enough to win the game."

What did you make of Destiny Udogie's performance?

Thomas: "Exceptional. He was exceptional today. He was unstoppable, almost, going forward. Also it was a bit unfortunate, it was Wilson who had to track him on the situation, because it was a little bit of a high-pressure situation, the Brighton wonder goal, but he just completely took him out going forward. Very good, top."

What about Xavi Simons' impact from the bench?

Thomas: "Xavi came in and did exactly what we thought he could do in that 10 position. Of course, he had a good pre-season and he played two games in Germany, but he's still coming into a team and all that. On any other day, he'd score a goal. He got a great finish on the first one, great save from Verbruggen, and the other one, he mistimes. He could have got an assist to Richy, where Lucas takes the ball, he doesn't see him."

Is 10 a more natural position for Xavi?

Thomas: "I think he can play both. I think he can easily play the left winger, that can go more inside. I also think he'd have the right position to... sometimes the playmakers, they drift to the side because there's no space in the middle. So I think he can do that. But 10, obviously he can play that as well."

The team's resilience was questioned at times last season, are you almost surprised with how quickly you've managed to get that resilience in the team?

Thomas: "I'm very, very pleased with it. I think there was also a situation in the first half, the way we sprinted back on our recovery runs, that's goosebumps. It's bread and butter, but you want to be a resilient team because we play against good teams and it will be difficult sometimes. It's a good group of players. They want to perform. They are disappointed after the game. Even when we come back, they wanted to win. I think maybe this was our most complete performance so far in the season. I know we conceded two goals, but I think actually there were so many positives overall in the game. Also the high pressure, the man-man, very aggressive. As you say, that resilience in the group, that mentality, is good."

What has most impressed you about Mu Kudus?

Thomas: "I think two things. One, his work ethic has been really good. It's big for me, how hard he works in the counter-press, high pressure, the defensive side of it. But his hold-up play, when it goes into him, it just sticks. You can't get it off him. He just keeps it, he doesn't lose a 50-50 ball. The third thing is his one-on-one ability is crazy. He's so strong, so explosive. He just dominated the right-hand side."

Is Vic kicking himself about Brighton's second goal? Or isn't it as easy as it looks?

Thomas: "It's never as simple as it looks. I think that's a big thing. I think it's a great strike, but he will be kicking himself. He wants to save that one."

At Brentford, part of your success was through coaching improvement out of individual players. Do you look at a lot of your team and think you can get 10, 20, 30% improvement out of some of the individual players?

Thomas: "Hopefully. We try to put a good structure in place. Offensively and defensively, clear principles. Keep reinforcing the right messages. For example, today we put so many crosses in. That's a big part of what we want to do. There could be a little bit more quality, we could also have a little bit more runs. So then we'll keep coaching them to run in the right gaps, for example. I think if Richy had run in the right gaps, he'd have scored two goals more today, for example. I believe any player can keep developing. That's a big part of what I believe in, and my coaching staff believe in as well."

Can you expand on why you think this was the most complete performance this season?

Thomas: "I know we conceded two goals, and it's never that black and white. So, one where Vic will say, 'I should take it'. The other, okay, we conceded a goal, that can happen. It's just Premier League, it's good. But besides that, I thought we defended well. Overall, I think the high pressure was very aggressive, and we were winning the ball back more or less all the time, which we like to do. I think in phase one, we got out every time, more or less. We controlled it up there. We created so many good opportunities, and had to counter-press and rest defending crosses. So there was a lot of the bits we like to do, so because of that, and then on top of that, the mentality to come back from 2-0 down is so important."

What can you achieve when you've got Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani available?

Thomas: "That's a good question, I don't know. Right now, I think it's about that consistency. We've played five Premier League games, I think we had four good performances, and one bad. So, can we stick with... I don't want that bad, I think it was a bad performance. So can we just get all bad performances out and consistently produce good performances? Then on a day where, whatever, there's a mistake and you need to come back, you still get a point. Or you maybe turn it around and win 2-1 or win 3-2."

What did you make of Wilson Odobert's first start?

Thomas: "Happy with it, I must admit. I thought he looked lively. Clearly, it looked like they were a little bit afraid of him. So, he got time to turn and run forward. I think he produced some crosses, some good opportunities. He was also involved in a goal, worked hard. So, a good first start."

Will Kolo Muani only miss one game?

Thomas: "Hopefully. It was a dead leg. He's actually been struggling with it for four or five days. It's just not settling as we hoped for. So, hopefully Wednesday (vs Doncaster, Carabao Cup)."

Have you been waiting for Destiny Udogie to get up to speed so he could start a game?

Thomas: "Yes, but I must admit, I've got three extremely good full-backs. I think Djed Spence has been fantastic for us. So, when another player is doing so well, then there's no reason to throw Destiny in too early. I'm pretty sure we will need all three throughout the season. That is crucial. We are playing, hopefully, around 60 games this season. That's a lot. I think Liverpool changed both their full-backs from midweek to today. So, it's a big thing. We want full-backs to come bombarding up and down, so we need everyone. I'm very happy with Destiny."

Do you enjoy games like that as a manager?

Thomas: "I think you always want to control if you can, but I liked how aggressive we were and there were some very good opportunities going forward. I liked that we looked very dangerous. That I liked a lot, I must admit."