Rob Guest, Tottenham reporter: The area Spurs 'need to address' ahead of Brentford clash

Rob Guest, Tottenham reporter for football.london, has discussed Spurs' start to the season - as well as an area Ange Postecoglou's side "need to address" moving forward.

The north Londoners conceded 14 goals from set-piece situations last season, whilst Gabriel's header for Arsenal in their victory in the derby win last weekend came from the same route.

And, despite improving on them this term, dead balls could still be an area Brentford look to exploit on Saturday.

Spurs have made a slower start than they might have hoped for with four points from the first four. What have you made of what you've seen so far?

It has been quite a frustrating start, I would say, because they have been playing quite well in a number of the games so far, but they are just not doing enough to get over the line. That was the case last season in a lot of games, too; probably the main issue this season is that, when it comes to the final third, they are just not creating enough clear-cut chances.

They manage to create a few openings, but there are never any real chances where you are saying, "That player has got to score". Ange Postecoglou said after the Arsenal game that they need a bit more belief and conviction in the final third.

Since the north London derby defeat to Arsenal, there has been lots of talk about the team struggling to defend set-pieces. Can you put your finger on why that is their kryptonite?

This season, they have been better with set-pieces and that was the first one they have conceded - but, last season, a lot of teams were targeting Guglielmo Vicario.

Away at Everton, they conceded from a set-piece where he could have been stronger, and it was a similar case against Manchester City at home late in the season.

It is just one of these things where teams have picked up on it and Tottenham certainly need to address it going forward.

Ange Postecoglou said at the weekend that he always wins a trophy in his second season at clubs. Which one do you think is their most realistic target?

Maybe the Europa League because, with the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, it will depend on the draw. Last season, Spurs got Man City in the fourth round of the FA Cup and were straight out!

In the Europa League, there are eight league phase games, so that's a good opportunity to go through, I'd say. What is also probably beneficial this year is that no teams from the Champions League drop down into it - and looking at the teams in the Europa League, you would say Spurs have got to be there or thereabouts.

After that, it’s probably the Carabao Cup as a lot of teams rotate, so there could be an opportunity for Spurs to go far in the competition.

Which player should Brentford fans be keeping an eye on on Saturday?

I will go for Dominic Solanke. He has only played two league games for the club so far but Spurs look better with a presence up front and they have missed having an out-and-out striker.

Brentford know all about what he can do from his time at Bournemouth. The goals are going to come for him and Saturday could be where it starts for him!

How is Postecoglou likely to set up his side in north London?

It will be something like Vicario in goal, with a back four of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie. The midfield might depend on Yves Bissouma, as he missed the midweek game against Coventry and against Arsenal, so I imagine it will be one of him and Rodrigo Bentancur; then Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, then an attacking three of Solanke through the middle, Heung-min Son and probably Brennan Johnson. Spurs will attack and look to make things happen in the final third.

Spurs won the last meeting 3-2 back in January, but what's your score prediction this time around?

I think it will be 2-1 to Spurs.