With fewer touches than Vicario and losing 88% of his duels, the struggling Spurs player now deserves to be taken out of the lineup.
The result has given the Danish manager a much-needed platform to succeed in the role, especially with the pressure that has built over recent weeks.
Even with the victory, several players once again struggled in Frank’s team, which may push him closer to settling on his strongest starting lineup. Tottenham Hotspur’s crucial 2-0 win over Brentford could prove to be the spark Frank needs to truly begin his tenure in North London.
First-half goals from Xavi Simons and Richarlison secured all three points, ending the club’s long wait for a league win since late October.
It was also just their second home league victory of the season, the previous one coming against Burnley on the opening day. Still, the match has provided the Dane with a foundation to build on, despite the increasing scrutiny he has faced.
However, a number of players underperformed once again, which may help the manager identify his best side moving forward.
Spurs’ poor performers against Brentford
Rodrigo Bentancur has dipped well below his usual standards in recent weeks, and his showing against Brentford was another disappointing outing.
He played 65 minutes before being taken off, having lost the ball six times—roughly once every ten minutes. He failed to complete a dribble and was dribbled past once, with youngster Archie Gray outperforming him.
He wasn’t the only one who struggled. Full-back Djed Spence also endured a rare poor display at home. Although he played the full match, he won just 40% of his ten duels on the left flank.
He didn’t make a single tackle and none of his four crosses found a teammate, underlining his difficulties both defensively and offensively.
The Spurs player who must be dropped after Brentford
Since taking over, Frank has frequently rotated his squad while searching for the right combination to lift the club up the table. Yet several players still failed to make a meaningful impact, including Bentancur and Spence.
Randal Kolo Muani was another who struggled to impose himself against Keith Andrews’ side. Whether it’s different partnerships or players in unfamiliar roles, the manager has tried various setups to push the team forward.
The long-awaited home win showed promising signs, with Spurs limiting Brentford to very few chances. However, Kolo Muani’s performance was affected by being deployed on the left wing rather than in his usual central striking role.
He lasted 74 minutes before being replaced, and although his effort and work rate were visible, they masked his limited influence.
Randal Kolo Muani – stats vs Brentford
Minutes played: 74
Touches: 40
Dribbles completed: 0
Crosses completed: 0
Big chances missed: 1
Duels lost: 88%
Duels won: 12%
Fouls committed: 2
Despite being an attacker, Kolo Muani had only 40 touches—fewer than goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who recorded 45.
He failed with all five attempted dribbles, and none of his crosses connected, showing his lack of threat in the final third. He also squandered a big chance, adding to his frustrating afternoon.
Off the ball, he fared no better, winning just two of 15 duels and losing 88% overall.
Kolo Muani has been a useful option this season, but this display was one to forget and could see him removed from the starting lineup. The win was a major step forward for Spurs, but it also highlighted the need to use the Frenchman in a more central role going forward.
