Tottenham vs West Ham match preview
Thomas Frank is not ignoring the pressure he is under but remains convinced that his Tottenham team is progressing.
Results suggest otherwise with one win in six league matches and an FA Cup elimination at the hands of Aston Villa, but Frank insists there are reasons for optimism behind the scenes.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s London derby against struggling West Ham, he said: “I’m just focusing on what I can influence. There’s a lot of noise. I know because I’ve been told and I’m not stupid, we want more good results, but I’m focusing on what I can see that actually works and we need to do more of that.
“I’m very aware of how the football world works. I know we haven’t gotten enough of the results we want. I can see the small steps we’re constantly taking and I call the last six games more positive performances, not perfect.
“There’s a culture that gets a little stronger and in football sometimes the dynamic can change like that. I can see little signs. The culture. The training. Thursday was very intense and focused. We’re working very hard on the offensive part of our game. It’s the offensive part we need to do better and that’s what we’re working hard on.”
Spurs will have Conor Gallagher available following his move from Atletico Madrid. The England international appears to be a good choice for a midfielder lacking energy, especially as Pape Matar Sarr is still in the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Frank added: “I think it’s a top signing. I can’t praise the owner enough for doing it and getting it over the finish line quickly.
“I think what he brings above all in terms of ability is that he is a very good player with a lot of experience in the Premier League and La Liga. He has captained two teams, so that character, that leadership and that experience – plus he is still young with a lot of development to achieve but is coming in at a good level.
“His pressing skills, his directness, his ability to score goals but also his ability to find good positions on the pitch are exactly what we need.”
Spurs will never have a better chance of turning things around than against a West Ham side who have not won a league game since November 8 and needed extra time to defeat Championship side QPR last weekend.
The Hammers are seven points from safety and seemingly lack the quality to pull themselves out of danger.
Even though Tottenham have only won two home league matches this season, Nuno Espirito Santo is expecting a tough match.
He said: “They’re a good team with talented players. It’s always a difficult place to get to and they’re a rival. It’s a London derby. There’s a lot of football to play but we have to realize that every game is very important to us. It’s very, very important to us.”
Team news for Tottenham vs West Ham
Spurs have been hit by further injury problems this week, with striker Richarlison ruled out for seven weeks. He joins Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur on the sidelines.
Lucas Bergvall is fit while Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie will be available on the bench.
West Ham hope to have Konstantinos Mavropanos, Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta in the squad, although the latter has expressed a desire to join Flamengo.
Predicted lineups for Tottenham vs West Ham
Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Gallagher, Odobert, Simons, Tel.; Kolo Muani
West Ham: Areola; Walker-Peter, Todibo, Cilman, Wan-Bissaya; Soucet, Fernandes, Bowen, Pakea, Summerville; Castellanos
How to watch Tottenham vs West Ham: TV and online streams
Tottenham v West Ham kicks off tomorrow at 3pm UK time. Due to current blackout rules in the UK, it is not available on television or via online stream.
If you don’t live in the UK, click HERE to find out which station might be showing the game in your area.
Statistics for Tottenham vs West Ham
- Following their 3-0 win at the London Stadium in September, Tottenham are looking to complete the league double against West Ham for the first time since 2019-20.
- West Ham have won just one of their last eight league matches against Spurs (D3 L4)
- West Ham have lost all six of their London Premier League derbies this season
- Tottenham have won only four of their last 24 Premier League home games (D6 L14)
