Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has launched a robust defence of his team's tactical approach, hitting back at critics who claim his side is overly focused on stopping opponents rather than playing their own game. The Danish boss issued a stark warning ahead of this weekend's clash with the reigning Premier League champions, Liverpool.
Frank's Fiery Defence and Liverpool Warning
Frank was unequivocal in his response to the criticism, directly addressing the notion that Spurs are too preoccupied with nullifying the opposition. He argued that showing respect to a team of Liverpool's calibre is not just prudent but necessary. "If you are not respectful of a team that won the Premier League and the type of threat they pose, I think you are not doing it right," Frank stated emphatically.
To underline his point, the 52-year-old manager pointed to a painful recent history against the Merseyside club. He reminded everyone of the four meetings between the two sides last season under former boss Ange Postecoglou. While Tottenham managed a 1-0 victory in one encounter, Frank was quick to reference the other results.
"In the last four times we played against them, we got a good 1-0 win and then I know the other three scores. You can check them. We conceded some goals in those games," he said. Those scores make for grim reading for Spurs fans: a 5-1 defeat and a 6-3 loss in the Premier League, followed by a 4-0 loss at Anfield in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, after winning the first leg 1-0.
The Case for a Balanced Approach
"It's probably a good idea to defend a little bit too," Frank added, making his core argument clear. He insists his philosophy is about balance, not purely defensive football. The manager detailed the comprehensive work his squad undertakes, covering both attacking and defensive principles with equal intensity.
"We work hard on our strengths and principles," Frank explained. "We work very hard on our break phase. We work very hard on our positions and we also work very hard on the defensive side of the game. It is very important that we do both."
Pressure Mounts After Forest Setback
Frank's comments come at a time of renewed pressure. After consecutive wins against Brentford and Slavia Prague, Tottenham suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last Sunday. This result has left the team languishing in mid-table, casting a shadow over the club's progress.
Addressing the broader challenges, Frank acknowledged that turning things around is not an instant process. "It is not a quick fix, it will take time," he admitted. However, he expressed personal confidence in his ability to be part of the solution. "I feel very comfortable and confident that I will fix it, but it is not just me."
He concluded with a reflection on the foundations of long-term success, hinting at the need for stability and alignment throughout the club. "The one thing I am one thousand per cent sure of is that we have not seen any club succeed without key people in the right positions for a long time," Frank said. "I will bet on being one of those key people to be in that position."
