Brentford 0-0 Spurs | Thomas Frank’s verdict | OneFootball

Thomas Frank described a ‘robust team performance’ after our goalless draw at Brentford on New Year’s Day.

We were up for the expected scrap, and restricted Brentford – who have taken the scalps of Villa, Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle at the Gtech already this season – to seven efforts at goal, Guglielmo Vicario only really seriously tested once.

So, defensively sound, ‘the big take away’ for Thomas, but he also felt we didn’t have the ‘final offensive edge’ that might have taken us to victory – Caoimhin Kelleher wasn’t seriously tested either, but produced a late save down to his left to deny Richarlison.

Speaking to us afterwards, Thomas reflected: “It was a robust team performance away from home. Brentford have been very good against a lot of other good teams, the wins, we talked about that before the game. The way we defended, they only managed to have seven shots in the whole game, that was a big take away, a good clean sheet.

“Obviously, we want more on the ball. The amount of unforced errors, where it didn't help us to create more, was obviously too big. So, on the day, we didn't have the final offensive edge that could have given us the goal or goals.

“I've seen a lot of teams coming here, just completely open up and they just go run the other way and concede three goals. So, that side, we managed. The other side, we didn't do well enough. I think we had 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 good half transitions where the final touch or the pass was not where it wanted to be. So, I think that was disappointing.

“It’s a robust, resilient performance, we need to have that, and then we need to add layers. We need to add offensive layers, we need to do more there, we need to produce more, no doubt about that, but the other bit is the foundation in a hectic period and a hectic season where you play so many games.

“If you can't win, don't lose. Then, clean sheets. So, half of it was done - we just needed to score that goal.”