Tottenham v Brighton: The Spurs view with Spurs Fanatic

Ahead of Brighton making the trip to Tottenham Hotspur, we decided to get some help in to analyse Jose Mourinho’s side’s start to the season by calling upon Spurs Fanatic.

One week, Spurs look like title contenders and the next they are throwing away a 3-0 lead at home. It has been incredible bizarre and although we are loathe to use the phrase “Spursy”, we needed a Tottenham fan to explain to us.

We also took the time to chat Mourinho, whether Spurs could be title contenders and how Brighton can stop Harry Kane and Son Heung-min given the outrageous form they are in. Here is what Mark from Spurs Fanatic had to say.

Spurs have had an interesting start to the season. Can you explain how you go from winning 6-1 away at Manchester United to blowing a 3-0 lead at home to West Ham United?!
It really has been a bizarre start to the season for a number of Premier League teams. The lack of fans in grounds, VAR and the new handball rule all seem to be contributing to some crazy games and scores.

Liverpool got hammered at Aston Villa and Spurs trashing United before capitulating against West Ham are just a few of the weird matches that we’ve seen.

Brighton were desperately unlucky at home to United as well with the after final whistle VAR penalty decision. I think it highlights just what a bizarre return to football we’re seeing.

Goals are massively up and very few defences are keeping clean sheets. It’s great for the Premier League as a product, but as a fan its been a real roller-coaster ride already!

Last time we spoke Jose Mourinho was early in his reign and the jury appeared to be out about whether he was the right for Spurs. What is the feeling towards him after nearly a year?
He’s definitely not playing in the traditional Spurs way, but the performances and results have really improved from last season. The players now understand his system and Daniel Levy has seriously backed him in the transfer market, so there’s no room for excuses any more.

I think the Amazon documentary was a very good marketing exercise for Mourinho too. He came out of it as really caring about the project and delivering trophies, but also as a very firm, but fair manager who is not afraid to make big calls and ruffle a few feathers.

Tanguy Ndomblele is a good example of someone who has knuckled down by being left out and is now looking a really good player. It remains to be seen whether Dele Alli will respond in the same way.

Do you think Mourinho can have Spurs as genuine title contenders this season?
I still think we are a way off being title contenders. Our defence really needs improving if we’re going to challenge, but a top four place is a more realistic objective. Although, this could be a very open title race.

This season has had a really crazy opening, so we could see another surprise winner like when Leicester City won the league. Liverpool aren’t the same team without Van Dijk and Manchester City haven’t hit their stride yet, so a winner from the rest of the pack is a real chance.

Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have begun the campaign in outrageous form. What (if anything) can Brighton do to keep those two quiet?
Kane and Son have been incredible this season. Adding a fully fit Gareth Bale in to the mix and we could see a seriously swashbuckling attack.

I think Brighton’s best chance is to sit deep and defend narrowly like Burnley did against us on Monday night. Not allowing any space in-behind or through the inside channels is key to stopping the pair. I think that really is your only chance of keeping them off the score sheet.

There were two contrasting games between Brighton and Spurs last season. Our 3-0 win at the Amex was arguably the best performance we gave all season and then Graham Potter rested a number of regulars for the Boxing Day game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. What did you make of the two fixtures?
Two very different games that involved two very different managers. The game at the Amex was where the wheels really came off for Mauricio Pochettino. Brighton put Spurs to the sword to win 3-0 and were fantastic that day.

The return match when Spurs won 2-1 was a much different affair and a very Jose Mourinho performance. I think we’ll see a similar battle this time around, but Mourinho will have learnt lessons from that day.

We were very poor in the first half before some tactical tweaks saw us score twice in the second. I’m expecting a fast start this time around, with us looking to blow the game open early to avoid another match of attrition.

Who do you think is going to win the title, finish top four and be relegated this season?
That’s a lot of predictions! I think City will win the title with Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs rounding out the top four. Going down is tough to predict this early in the season but I think Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham could be in for trouble.

Finally, what is the Spurs Fanatic prediction for Tottenham v Brighton please?
I think it’ll be a 3-1 Spurs win.

Thanks to Mark for answering our questions. You can follow Spurs Fanatic on Twitter to see his take on Tottenham v Brighton.