Thomas Frank - Head Coach

[harr1984]

Yesterday was their fifth win on the bounce. They’re no slouches - and they have an excellent coach.

Absolutely. No one is complaining about the result, Villa are a decent side.

It's the football at home which has been poor - two holding midfielders and it was just safe pass after safe pass going backwards or sidewards and when was clear we didnt know what to do with the ball, just give it to Kudus and hope he does something or just sling it into the box....

 

[El Dante]

Apologies if this has already been said, but I think Romero’s injury was more significant than just to lose our captain and best defender.

Romero is one of our most progressive players. His passing from the back can be so significant for our movement up the pitch. If he had played then our pivot of Bentancur and Palhinha may have been less of an issue. But unfortunately we lost our defensive metronome and we had a midfield that stifled and spoiled instead of sparkled.

Van de Ven also didn’t make his usual attacking forays. So we had very little aside from long passing from our back 4 and the pivot.

If we are to have Bentancur and Palhinha playing then give freedom to both full bask to be our width. Then substitute out Odobert for Sarr/Bergvall for more attacking spark in the centre. Bentancur and Palhinha can cover for the absent full back when one attacks.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Apologies if this has already been said, but I think Romero’s injury was more significant than just to lose our captain and best defender.

Romero is one of our most progressive players. His passing from the back can be so significant for our movement up the pitch. If he had played then our pivot of Bentancur and Palhinha may have been less of an issue. But unfortunately we lost our defensive metronome and we had a midfield that stifled and spoiled instead of sparkled.

Van de Ven also didn’t make his usual attacking forays. So we had very little aside from long passing from our back 4 and the pivot.

If we are to have Bentancur and Palhinha playing then give freedom to both full bask to be our width. Then substitute out Odobert for Sarr/Bergvall for more attacking spark in the centre. Bentancur and Palhinha can cover for the absent full back when one attacks.

Huge glaring issue for me was the lack of any balance wide on the left
No one overlapping because Spence’s not got a left foot

 

[Stiff_Swede]

I am Thomas biggest fan and have wanted him at Spurs for 3 years, but he needs to let go a bit of the handbrake when selecting the midfield, I hope he learns something from this!

 

[glorygloryeze]

Whilst it's fair to say there are valid questions about some of the attacking plays and routines we are seeing (or not?) under Frank, i think we have to bear in mind the following:

1) We are being forced to play not one but two young attackers who aren't physically the strongest and are struggling to keep possession for us up the field. You can maybe carry one of those types but two or more becomes a big problems. This is where we REALLY miss Solanke and Kulu.

2) As has been spoken about for years, the club neglected to buy a left-footed full-back to provide some cover and competition for Udogie. We can see how much more easily we are stunted in our attacking play when we have to play right-footers in both our left-wing and left-back positions; look at how we were able to widen our focus of attack when Udogie played vs Leeds. Again, our club's negligence on this area has come back to bite us (we don't have a left-footed left-winger and that again restricts how we can change how we attack)

3) Bentancur seems to have lost his verve when it comes to making forward passes; he used to be SOOOO much more progressive. The lack of movement at times from the forwards sometimes doesn't help, but he also is often not brave enough. This causes us more problems, especially when Romero isn't there. Simons can help in this regard, but like Tel and Odobert , he is also often too easily physically outwitted and this i'm sure adds to the likes of Bentancur being more cautious.

This is going to be an unforgiving period of games. We will REALLY see what Frank is made of between now and the next international break.
Hopefully we get some of those wounded back ASAP.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Whilst it's fair to say there are valid questions about some of the attacking plays and routines we are seeing (or not?) under Frank, i think we have to bear in mind the following:

1) We are being forced to play not one but two young attackers who aren't physically the strongest and are struggling to keep possession for us up the field. You can maybe carry one of those types but two or more becomes a big problems. This is where we REALLY miss Solanke and Kulu.

2) As has been spoken about for years, the club neglected to buy a left-footed full-back to provide some cover and competition for Udogie. We can see how much more easily we are stunted in our attacking play when we have to play right-footers in both our left-wing and left-back positions; look at how we were able to widen our focus of attack when Udogie played vs Leeds. Again, our club's negligence on this area has come back to bite us (we don't have a left-footed left-winger and that again restricts how we can change how we attack)

3) Bentancur seems to have lost his verve when it comes to making forward passes; he used to be SOOOO much more progressive. The lack of movement at times from the forwards sometimes doesn't help, but he also is often not brave enough. This causes us more problems, especially when Romero isn't there. Simons can help in this regard, but like Tel and Odobert , he is also often too easily physically outwitted and this i'm sure adds to the likes of Bentancur being more cautious.

This is going to be an unforgiving period of games. We will REALLY see what Frank is made of between now and the next international break.
Hopefully we get some of those wounded back ASAP.

The attacking issues start way back for me with the way he is asking (or the team are playing) between defence be midfield
The mythical deep lying playmaker isn’t there and they seem to be a rare breed in football
Which means the midfield needs to have a combination of skill sets
We are not playing that combination and everything is stagnating because of it
They are all quality players with specific strengths that IMO could fix the issues with balance
One DM, One box to Box and one 10 is what the midfield should look like
In stead it’s 4-2-4 with the guy in the 10 never receiving the ball because the 2 DMs don’t progress ig
3 passes from the midfield to Xavi… THREE all game
Scary

 

[glorygloryeze]

The attacking issues start way back for me with the way he is asking (or the team are playing) between defence be midfield
The mythical deep lying playmaker isn’t there and they seem to be a rare breed in football
Which means the midfield needs to have a combination of skill sets
We are not playing that combination and everything is stagnating because of it
They are all quality players with specific strengths that IMO could fix the issues with balance
One DM, One box to Box and one 10 is what the midfield should look like
In stead it’s 4-2-4 with the guy in the 10 never receiving the ball because the 2 DMs don’t progress ig
3 passes from the midfield to Xavi… THREE all game
Scary

You're right about the lack of passes to Xavi.
However, often when they did get the ball to him, he was outmuscled and gave it away again. That might have led to the reluctance, sadly.
Tbf to Xavi he did work hard to make tackles when he did (plus other times) but that's not his strength and he also gave away a lot of free-kicks doing so.

So from what you're saying, i guess you think a midfield 3 of Paulinha, Xavi and Sarr would be best for now?

 

[Bedfordspurs]

You're right about the lack of passes to Xavi.
However, often when they did get the ball to him, he was outmuscled and gave it away again. That might have led to the reluctance, sadly.
Tbf to Xavi he did work hard to make tackles when he did (plus other times) but that's not his strength and he also gave away a lot of free-kicks doing so.

So from what you're saying, i guess you think a midfield 3 of Paulinha, Xavi and Sarr would be best for now?

Not really bothered about the who
It’s about the change to the structure
He only got 3 passes all game form midfield
Porro was the guy trying the most to find him

 

[glorygloryeze]

Not really bothered about the who
It’s about the change to the structure
He only got 3 passes all game form midfield
Porro was the guy trying the most to find him

Yes, progressive passing is an issue now.
I also think Xavi is still to build trust - from other players and in himself. Had chances to shoot but again delayed before the chance went and the attacking space was closed for a pass.
I do wonder if that silly Rebona at Leeds set trust back a bit (both in himself and of colleagues for him).

 

[glasgowspur]

I have two problems, and both precede Frank but several managers appear unwilling or unable to do anything about them.
We concede way too much room around our box. From the 18 yard box to maybe 30 yards it's like we don't get close or tackle. If we do it's usually to give away a stupid foul.

But worse is going forward, we play the ball to feet, never in behind, and as for the amount of time we play it to the back foot, jeez.
Yesterday was a prime example, play it to Kudus with his back to goal and two players on him, created virtually nothing.
One ball over the top, he skins his marker and slams in a goal. OK he's offside, but we never tried it again.
Something else that I've noticed with our signings, other than vdv and Bale, every fast player we sign loses pace.
What's that all about.

 

[Bishop]

It's short sighted for me. Arsenal have a great chance of boring thier way to the title this year. Arteta a couple years ago now realised they were never gonna out football City and decided to go another route. He would have been sacked about 15 times now if he was managing Tottenham.

I agree the football isn't great at the minute, but it's October and we're playing a couple of kids trying to get thier Duke of Edinburgh awards in the front line. If Solanke, Kulu, Muani are in the line up and we still look impotent then i'll be looking more at Frank, but right now I'm content for us to build a structure and progress. They definetly both shouldn't be starting at the same time, and I think Sarr and or Bergvall need to get in that midfield for some vertical running. Until we get someone who can function on the left hand side, we're gonna struggle.

Also I think Vic is starting to become an issue, not only are some of the goals he's conceding a bit questionable, but he's so poor with he's feet. Not the acutal execution but the delaying of it. It takes him an age to play it by which time the opposition have moved up and put us under pressure. Him speeding up moving the ball would have a knock on effect of the build up not being smothered.

The football isn't great but what did anyone really expect? The quality we have is severely lacking. I really think the complaints are because so much of fan base is frankly delusional and think our players are far better than they are. Our attack is crap, Kudus aside none of them are top 4 standard. None are even top 6 standard, so why would anyone expect quality football along with results? It's madness.

I'd you fill your squad with crap to mediocre players then guess what your result you're going to get...

 

[harr1984]

The football isn't great but what did anyone really expect? The quality we have is severely lacking. I really think the complaints are because so much of fan base is frankly delusional and think our players are far better than they are. Our attack is crap, Kudus aside none of them are top standard. None are even top 6 standard, so why would anyone expect quality football along with results? It's madness.

I'd you stick your squad with crap to mediocre players then guess what your results you're going to get..

Indeed there is definitely a point to this, you and I have been banging this drum about the squad quality for some time but apparently it was just Ange that was the problem and all would be fine once a new manager was here.

Now we have a manager who is more liked on here, and all of a sudden more and more are saying he doesn't have the players. We've seen this occur with previous managers, if the manager is liked then the fans will blame the players and if they're fed up of the manager it will be that we have the players and the manager is the problem. Round and round the cycle will go ....

 

[harr1984]

I have two problems, and both precede Frank but several managers appear unwilling or unable to do anything about them.
We concede way too much room around our box. From the 18 yard box to maybe 30 yards it's like we don't get close or tackle. If we do it's usually to give away a stupid foul.

But worse is going forward, we play the ball to feet, never in behind, and as for the amount of time we play it to the back foot, jeez.
Yesterday was a prime example, play it to Kudus with his back to goal and two players on him, created virtually nothing.
One ball over the top, he skins his marker and slams in a goal. OK he's offside, but we never tried it again.
Something else that I've noticed with our signings, other than vdv and Bale, every fast player we sign loses pace.
What's that all about.

Never thought about that, what players do we have/had who have lost pace do you think?

 

[metalgear]

Not really bothered about the who
It’s about the change to the structure
He only got 3 passes all game form midfield
Porro was the guy trying the most to find him

villa played very tight in the middle and forced us to go wide and double up on kudus, knowing that odobert is soft.
worked like a charm.

i hope TF tries some more variations in midfield to fill that son-shaped hole, and encourages more shots from distance.
also what's with all the airballs with our young strikers this season?

 

[Bedfordspurs]

villa played very tight in the middle and forced us to go wide and double up on kudus, knowing that odobert is soft.
worked like a charm.

i hope TF tries some more variations in midfield to fill that son-shaped hole, and encourages more shots from distance.
also what's with all the airballs with our young strikers this season?

It’s the same every game so far with Frank though
Go wide
Go wide
And go wide
I’d get it if we had plenty of capability there but we had no left footers on the left and 2 players on the right who were IMO tiring

 

[DubSpur]

Yes, progressive passing is an issue now.
I also think Xavi is still to build trust - from other players and in himself. Had chances to shoot but again delayed before the chance went and the attacking space was closed for a pass.
I do wonder if that silly Rebona at Leeds set trust back a bit (both in himself and of colleagues for him).

He wasn't great at showing for passes. Also, he never dropped a little deeper and demanded the ball. Couldn't understand Bergval not coming on earlier. Saying that Xavi does need time to settle in, there's a player in there.

 

[metalgear]

It’s the same every game so far with Frank though
Go wide
Go wide
And go wide
I’d get it if we had plenty of capability there but we had no left footers on the left and 2 players on the right who were IMO tiring

its true - it looks like he doesn't what's his best central midfield and attack looks like. i know and like it that he has been rebuilding from the back up, it also looks like he is trying to start different players which i see as testing out the players. its hard with some of the very late transfers and injuries. but i also feel that TF and his staff are just getting used to the demands of europe and the internationals.

 

[Jurgen the German]

Best away team in the league though.

That's with a huge hole on LW and in all honesty, a lack of a proper week in week out striking option.

We are nowhere near as bad as being made out and it's early in the guys reign.

I get that and I appreciate he’s building foundations and it takes time. Just don’t think it’s wrong to want/expect more from an attacking pov. Especially at home where we’ve generally been poor. I also accept that he needs better forwards which I have been banging on about for years. A starting point would be to play Bergvall or Sarr instead of Bentancur in games like yesterday. Just takes too long for us to get out of our half let alone create anything.

 

[Jurgen the German]

It's short sighted for me. Arsenal have a great chance of boring thier way to the title this year. Arteta a couple years ago now realised they were never gonna out football City and decided to go another route. He would have been sacked about 15 times now if he was managing Tottenham.

I agree the football isn't great at the minute, but it's October and we're playing a couple of kids trying to get thier Duke of Edinburgh awards in the front line. If Solanke, Kulu, Muani are in the line up and we still look impotent then i'll be looking more at Frank, but right now I'm content for us to build a structure and progress. They definetly both shouldn't be starting at the same time, and I think Sarr and or Bergvall need to get in that midfield for some vertical running. Until we get someone who can function on the left hand side, we're gonna struggle.

Also I think Vic is starting to become an issue, not only are some of the goals he's conceding a bit questionable, but he's so poor with he's feet. Not the acutal execution but the delaying of it. It takes him an age to play it by which time the opposition have moved up and put us under pressure. Him speeding up moving the ball would have a knock on effect of the build up not being smothered.

All good points which I agree with. Although I’d say Vicario already is an issue and has been for a while. I would upgrade him in the summer personally.

 

[parklane1]

6 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses

Hardly headloss time

Agree, but it will not stop some from doing it.