Welcome back to CADS — Tottenham’s unofficial group therapy session, featuring four blokes whose names all start with “A”… plus Stu trying to stay upbeat through sheer force of habit.

This week we trudge through Brentford (a game so joyless it nearly counts as community service) and then actually find a few green shoots in the Sunderland match — especially that first half, where we looked like a football team and even remembered what a shot on target is.

We chat:

• Why Brentford felt “diabolical” (and why the lack of intent hurt more than the result)

• The Sunderland first half: chances, pace, and enough nearly-moments to tease us

• Ben Davies: Mr Reliable, 7/10 as standard… and somehow a believable stopgap manager shout

• Big ticks for Pedro Porro, plus love for Tel and Odobert

• The ongoing “play the kids” campaign: Scarlett, Barnett, Donnelly and more

• The Brennan Johnson sale: bafflement, frustration, and the feeling we’ve left ourselves short

• Romero’s mood (and boots) swinging a bit too freely

• The Thomas Frank debate: not “bad”, maybe just not the right fit — plus the grim win-rate maths

We also look ahead to Bournemouth, Villa in the FA Cup, and West Ham, and finish with a genuinely ridiculous football trivia gem: the 15-minute managerial reign.

Strap in.
COYS.