Tottenham Hotspur have just been handed a big warning by Brentford, who have demonstrated that they will not be pushovers when the two sides meet at the Gtech Community Stadium in six days.
There is huge excitement at Spurs as the new Premier League season fast approaches, with Roberto De Zerbi spearheading a fresh project at N17.
The Tottenham boss has set his aims very high, expressing a desire to take Spurs back to the top end of the table following two successive 17th-place finishes.
The Lilywhites will hope to come racing out of the blocks at the start of the campaign, but they have a huge challenge first up.
Brentford demolish Eintracht Frankfurt 7-0 ahead of Tottenham showdown
Spurs showed many positive signs on Saturday as they outclassed Hoffenheim and secured a 3-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, their first Premier League opponents, Brentford, sent out a real statement against another Bundesliga side, as they prepare to host the Lilywhites.
The Bees thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 7-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago both scoring twice.
Keith Andrews’ side showed that they have the defensive quality to shut teams out and plenty of firepower going forward, and the Lilywhites know that they have to be switched on and at their best to start their campaign off with a win.
Why Brentford away is one of the toughest starts possible for Spurs
Almost half of the Premier League has new managers in charge, and many of them have made wholesale changes to their squad this summer, and could thus take a few weeks to find their identity.
It would have been ideal for Tottenham to start with a clash against a team like Crystal Palace, Fulham or Bournemouth, who are all embarking on new eras.
However, Brentford are an extremely well-drilled side, with the players knowing exactly what is expected of them in the system.
With the Tottenham players still learning De Zerbi’s system, and with many of the club’s new signings still adapting, a trip to the Gtech Community Stadium will be an extremely stern test first up.