‘I experienced that with David Raya’ – Thomas Frank backs Spurs goalkeeper Vicario | OneFootball

Thomas Frank spoke out in support of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario ahead of Spurs’ mammoth clash with Liverpool.

The Italian shot stopper has endured a difficult season so far, including making a costly error in the defeat to Fulham.

“I think he’s a very good goalkeeper,” Frank said. “I think he’s a fantastic shot stopper. I think he’s saved us a lot of times this season where we needed [him] the most. Then, like with any goalkeeper, there are a few development areas that we need to do our best we can to improve.

“I think every keeper will always be highlighted that there was a problem,” he continued. “I’ve experienced that with David Raya when he was with us in Brentford in the beginning, with some crosses or some distribution where he was involved, and we worked on it, and it became better. And then he was sold to a club we can’t name.” 

Frank also says that he is potentially looking to strengthen the squad in the upcoming January transfer window.

Frank said: “We will 100 per cent be in the market and we will be ready. And if we can find the player or players that can improve the team, then I think we should be ready for that… We know the January window is a super, super complex and very difficult window, which can make it complicated.

“I don’t think we should use money on a player we don’t really believe in, who can only just move the needle, because that would be a little bit helpful for maybe the next six months. But if it doesn’t do anything in the long term, then I’m not interested in it.”

Frank was asked if there was a particular profile of player he was looking to bring in, particularly in terms of leadership or experience.

“Yeah, experience can be many things,” the Dane replied. “You can be a great character leader, 24 years old, or you can be 28 or whatever. I think you need a lot of different types in the football team, but of course, character is a big thing.”

Frank also addressed his relationship with Djed Spence, who was visibly unhappy after being taken off in Spurs’ last game. “I spoke to him. He was disappointed because he thought it was because of an injury that he was subbed off, and it wasn’t… And he’s fine, by the way.”

He also referenced Spence’s conduct more generally: “I think he’s been highlighted twice, which of course is never perfect,” The Spurs head coach said. “There are two situations where he’s very aware that it didn’t look the best. We are dealing with young people. He’s 24 or 25 years old and under big focus and pressure. And sometimes you don’t do exactly what is the perfect way. You learn from it, and should learn from it, and do it better in the future.”