Tottenham supporters have waited all season to feel something like this again: control, intent, and an attacking identity with clarity. Saturday’s 2–0 win over Brentford was more than a result — it felt like the unveiling of Thomas Frank’s long-term vision. Spurs finally looked like a team aligned with their manager’s ideas, committed to playing on the front foot rather than reacting to opponents. And at the centre of that evolution was Xavi Simons.
Frank himself admitted afterwards that Spurs had been “a little out of sync” for weeks. But against Brentford, the mechanisms clicked. Tottenham were aggressive in their press, decisive in transitions, and ruthless in the channels. For the first time since his appointment, Frank spoke about standards in possession rather than survival without it.
Simons was the symbol of that shift. On just his third Premier League start, the Dutchman produced a performance that encapsulated the pace, unpredictability and vertical threat Frank has been trying to build since arriving in north London.
Frank: “This was a very good step — now he has to do it again and again”
Spurs’ dominance showed in both their tempo and their intent going forward. Richarlison’s opener came from a perfectly weighted Simons pass into the right channel, while the second goal — a slaloming run and crisp finish from Simons himself — showed exactly why Tottenham spent heavily to bring him from RB Leipzig.
Frank’s praise was measured but sincere:
“Sometimes you work hard, and suddenly it clicks. A lot more players were on the same page today. Xavi showed what he can produce out of nothing.” — Thomas Frank
Simons’ first Spurs goal arrived at just the right time. With Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison still unavailable, Tottenham have leaned heavily on Mohammed Kudus for creativity. On Saturday, Simons provided the missing balance — drifting centrally to stitch moves together, pressing with bite, and offering a spark Spurs have lacked all autumn.
Spurs supporters witness a glimpse of a new identity
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium felt different. There was energy in the stands, an understanding that Spurs were not just grinding but expressing. The crowd’s applause at half-time and full-time reflected a team finally delivering entertainment with conviction.
Simons was central to that feeling. In and out of possession, he chipped away at Brentford’s structure — winning duels, recycling play, and provoking defenders into decisions they didn’t want to make. His footwork, awareness and timing gave Spurs a rhythm they have lacked in recent months.
With Champions League and Premier League fixtures arriving in quick succession, Frank now faces the task of turning one defining performance into a trend. As he admitted:
“The next thing is to do it again and again and again.” — Frank, on Simons
Xavi Simons — Performance vs Brentford (2025/26)
| Stat | Simons |
|---|---|
| Assists | 1 |
| Expected Assists (xA) | 0.60 |
| Big Chances Created | 1 |
| Key Passes | 1 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.29 |
| Total Shots | 4 |
| Recoveries | 7 |
source: Sofascore match data — 8 December 2025
These numbers underline his all-round impact — creativity, intelligence, aggression and end product.
Why Simons changes Tottenham’s attacking structure
Having studied Frank’s tactical blueprint at Brentford and early at Spurs, it’s clear he wants a multi-directional attack rather than one built solely around wide creators. Simons is pivotal to that idea because he destabilises defensive shapes by drifting inside with the ball, rather than hugging touchlines.
Although some argue that Spurs’ improvement was simply down to Brentford’s frailties, it’s worth questioning why this level of fluidity hasn’t appeared previously. The answer lies in Simons’ ability to operate as both a creator and a connector — identifying spaces, occupying half-positions, and providing the unpredictability Frank craves.
From my experience covering transition-based managers, the moment when a single player “fits” the system can often be a turning point. Simons may now be that player for Frank: the one who interprets space quicker than defenders can react.
Key Insights
- Xavi Simons delivered his best Spurs performance, scoring once and assisting once.
- Frank says Spurs finally looked “on the same page” in attack.
- Simons brings unpredictability and tempo Spurs have lacked.
- His emergence helps relieve creative pressure on Kudus.
- Tottenham supporters sensed the beginnings of a new identity.
- Spurs face Slavia Prague tomorrow and Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
What’s Next?
Tottenham return to Champions League action tomorrow against Slavia Prague, where Simons is expected to start again. With Nottingham Forest awaiting on Sunday, this week offers Frank a chance to build momentum — and potentially shape a new-look Spurs attack around his Dutch creator.
👉 Spurs fans — is Simons now undroppable after his breakthrough performance?
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