Spurs v Brentford Pre-Match + Predictions – Romero out with Serious Injury

Conte delivered another interesting and engaging press conference, this time as he prepared his side for Thursday's home match against newly promoted Brentford. Despite this being their first season in the top division since 1947, they've exceeded expectations so far and sit 11th in the table, just 3 points behind us.

Press Conference

• Question 1 – Jamie Weir –Team News?

- Romero has a serious hamstring injury. Soonest he'll be back is January or February.

- Lo Celso also out. Not as bad as Romero. Expected back after this match.

• Question 2 – Jamie Weir –Fans embarrassed and angry after Thursday's performance in Slovenia. Are the players embarrassed and angry as well, and are we going to see a reaction?

- They're all very angry. It was a poor performance. Now we need to move on.

- Brentford are a good team, they're well organised.

- To put in a good performance we must be well prepared physically, tactically and mentally.

• Question 3 – Ian Abrahams – First half against Leeds wasn't great but won the game in the end, then the defeat to Mura, is this a bigger job than you thought when you were offered it, and how much are you going to need to overhaul the squad in January?

- Have to concentrate on this month. Need to get points to move up the table and stay close to the teams ahead of us.

- January is far away, right now he's totally focused on the team and getting the best out of his players. Also needs to evaluate the whole squad.

- Many games to play so he needs all the players and he trusts in these players.

- Not easy to bring his philosophy and ideas coming in mid-season, but the players are showing great ability. That's very important because he knows with time they will improve in every aspect.

• Question 4 – Rebecca Coles – As we approach the busy Christmas period what do you demand and expect from the squad?

- Improvements tactically, physically and mentally.

- Has spent four weeks with the players now. Wants to see improvements as a result of the work they've been doing on the training ground.

- Sure that this team will improve a lot if given time. They are working well and have reached a point where he expects to see a good improvement in this match.

• Question 5 – George Cummings – You have very high standards, so how long will it take for these Tottenham players to get to the standards that you want?

- Solely focusing on getting the best out of his players.

- These players want to improve their level and they need to if we're going to be competitive and fight for something important.

- In this moment the level is not so high, that's honest, but on the other hand it can give them more desire to work and improve. This is the only way we can be competitive and fight this season so we're looking up, not in the middle or below.

• Question 6 – Alasdair Gold – Giovani Lo Celso has had a lot of injuries during his time at Tottenham. What's the latest with him, what is his injury, and how do you get the best out of a player who's had so many stops and starts due to injuries?

- Pity that both Lo Celso and Romero were injured with their National teams.

- Lo Celso much better injury-wise than Romero. Hopes to see him back after the Brentford game as he's already started work on the pitch.

- He's another player to exploit. He's a good player and he wants to work with him.

• Question 7 – Nick Callow – When you're evaluating your squad are you also talking about possible changes you could make to the squad in January; can Tottenham supporters expect new players to come in or some players to leave in the New Year?

- Didn't speak about this aspect when he joined Tottenham.

- When you take a job you have to make your own evaluation. He felt Tottenham was the right club to work with and bring his idea of football and his philosophy. For this reason he accepted the job. Didn’t talk about improving the team in January.

- Has great enthusiasm and passion to work with Tottenham. Wants to win something important with the club. In this moment we're a bit far from being a top club, need to work and improve to create a good base that we can build upon.

- Our fans have to support us because it's not simple.

- Needs time and patience but he has great desire to do something great at this club.

• Question 8 – Jonathan Beale – Reports in Holland suggest Bergwijn could leave in January, what are your thoughts on that, is he part of your plans and what does he need to do to get more game time?

- Pity he was away during the International break because he'd liked to have had those two weeks to work with him.

- For sure he has great quality. He's good one v one, very fast, able to beat a man and to score.

- Bergwijn is starting to understand what he wants from him.

- Counts him as one of the strikers who can play in the front three.

- Ready and available for the match. He would have played against Mura but he had a problem.

* Fans' Comments – Big belief in Conte. Well wishes to Romero and Lo Celso. Question marks over our defence.

* Predicted Line-up – Conte's expected to start with the same side announced before the Burnley match was postponed. I'd like to see him spring a surprise and throw Ndombele in there for Moura; Tanguy brings more stability and creativity in the opposition half and I think Moura's better used as an impact sub. Formation – 3-4-3 – Lloris, Sánchez, Dier, Davies, Royal, Højbjerg, Skipp, Reguilón, Moura, Son, Kane.

* Predicted Score – The players should be raring to go following that dreadful defeat in Europe, refreshed from not having a game at the weekend, and ready after time on the training ground with Conte – 3-1 Spurs.