Rob Daly

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Spurs

Premier League

06.10.2024

Ahead of each game this season, we’ll bring you a tactical insight on our opponents and how the match might unfold, courtesy of club commentator Rob Daly.

You’ll be able to read Rob’s expert analysis on tottenhamhotspur.com and the Spurs Official app, with home games also analysed in our official matchday programme, on sale as usual at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the day of each game.

Next up, a trip to the Amex to face Brighton on Sunday (4.30pm UK).

Take it away, Rob!

"High lines, aggressive presses and threatening wide players... Brighton against Spurs is guaranteed to entertain. Can Ange Postecoglou’s side exploit the hosts' potential shortcomings like Chelsea did last weekend?"
Rob Daly

Pressing at Stamford Bridge

Brighton boast one of the most aggressive presses around, which was rewarded at Stamford Bridge.

Both of their goals came by forcing Chelsea into errors playing out, from defender Levi Colwill and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez respectively.

Stats show they rank amongst the top teams for counter pressing (third most tackles in the attacking third) while midfielder James Milner has likened Fabian Hürzeler’s methods to those of Jurgen Klopp.

Combining this with a desire to keep his team 'compact', means Hürzeler’s defenders play a high line - something Chelsea targeted last weekend.

Danny Welbeck presses Chelsea defender Levi Colwill at Stamford Bridge last week...

Danny Welbeck presses Chelsea defender Levi Colwill at Stamford Bridge last week...

Danny Welbeck presses Chelsea defender Levi Colwill at Stamford Bridge last week...

High line

Cole Palmer breaks through to score his and Chelsea's fourth goal against Brighton last weekend...

Cole Palmer breaks through to score his and Chelsea's fourth goal against Brighton last weekend...

Cole Palmer breaks through to score his and Chelsea's fourth goal against Brighton last weekend...

The positioning of Brighton’s back four came under scrutiny after four-goal hero Cole Palmer explained Enzo Maresca’s devised plan to play early passes in behind.

Hürzeler admitted afterwards that his side’s execution wasn’t right but has since added, 'it’s also the responsibility of the offensive players to defend the lines so that the opponents can’t break the lines that easily, so that their players can’t play a ball behind our line'.

Time after time, Chelsea broke through. They scored four and had three disallowed.

Numbers show that Brighton are one of the best teams at catching opposition players offside, but there’s risk there.

If Spurs time the ball and run correctly, they’ll be in. Can Cristian Romero from deep, for example, clip a well-weighted pass over the top as he did twice against Everton for James Maddison?

Fabian, fluidity and formations

Fabian Hürzeler, the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history, guided St Pauli back into the Bundesliga after a 13-year absence.

It’s no surprise Brighton identified the 31-year-old as the man to replace Roberto de Zerbi.

Despite having used a variety of systems - in and out of possession - already this season, the Seagulls boss insists, 'I’m not the biggest fan of formations'.

 “I want us to be fluid in our positioning,” he recently told Sky Sports. “It’s about seeing what the opponent gives us, seeing where we can find the space."

A big believer in not prescribing every action, Hürzeler hands his players principles to stick by, in the hope they problem solve themselves.

It can lead to some exceptional, individually inspired moments.

Wingers like Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Simon Adingra tore Everton apart on opening weekend, producing free-flowing attacks in a 3-0 victory.

Fabian Hurzeler...

Fabian Hurzeler...

Fabian Hurzeler...

Hürzeler's Spurs intel

Ange talks about Fabian Hurzeler's visit to Hotspur Way in his press conference on Friday...

Ange talks about Fabian Hurzeler's visit to Hotspur Way in his press conference on Friday...

Ange talks about Fabian Hurzeler's visit to Hotspur Way in his press conference on Friday...

An admirer of Spurs' Head Coach, Fabian Hürzeler used a connection to negotiate spending a day with him at Spurs last season.

"He asked a hell of a lot of questions and I gave him too many answers, that’s for sure. If I’d have known he’d be Brighton manager...!" joked Ange."You could tell he’s a real student of the game. He wanted so much knowledge.”

There are parallels between the way both managers want to play football.

This should be a thrilling match.

Spurs' fresh legs

The game comes less than 72-hours on from the trip to Budapest, although Ange will be delighted to have beaten Ferencvaros after rotating the team.

It means players who may come back in didn’t play too many minutes - James Maddison (25), Dejan Kulusevski (25), Brennan Johnson (25) and Dominic Solanke (9). Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur weren’t needed at all, while Destiny Udogie didn’t travel due to injury and is now expected to be available this afternoon.

One would imagine we’ll see the Bentancur-Maddison-Kulusevski midfield that functioned so well at Manchester United.

Mikey Moore’s impressive 90 minutes in Hungary likely means he’s pushing for a first Premier League start sooner rather than later.

In-form duo Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson...

In-form duo Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson...

In-form duo Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson...