Tottenham: Thomas Frank makes Mauricio Pochettino comparison in call for patience | OneFootball

Dane has led north Londoners to sixth in the Premier League table

Thomas Frank has called for patience in his bid to be successful at Tottenham, pointing to the example of Mauricio Pochettino.

Spurs have won only one of their last five matches, but they are unbeaten in the Champions League and sit just five points off the top of the Premier League.

If Spurs' UEFA Super Cup penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain is taken as a loss, then Frank and Pochettino both won six, drew four and lost three of their first 13 matches in charge.

Frank's record is slightly better than the Argentine's too, with his Spurs side scoring three more goals and conceding three fewer in that run.

Those similarities were put to him at his press conference ahead of the trip to Everton this weekend and Frank responded: "It's not only that example, but I think it's a good example because of course, Pochettino is a legend here.

"What he built, what he was part of achieving, I think it is definitely a spell I looked at when I was not here and of course, I was very aware of when I got offered the job. I always looked at that and thought ‘wow’. What he built, what they built together there was quite unique and quite impressive.

"I think any success in football history is more or less from clubs and teams that had the same head coach or manager for a long spell. That is, of course, not about me but also includes the key staff members.

"That can be sports directors, CEO, assistant coaches and of course the manager or head coach. That is almost a non-negotiable and then of course it is up to me to make sure we have enough progress along the way, but we all know it will be a little bit up and down."

Frank insisted there was "more to come" from his side, despite being satisfied as he reflected on the start to the season.

"That is football and that is down to a swing of a leg sometimes, a margin, a ball is dropping to you on the other side, injuries, there are so many things but step by step we will get stronger," Frank said.

"That I am not in doubt of. I am relatively happy with where we are, I would say relatively happy. I always want more, but I just know there is more to come."

Spurs' approach in certain games this season, particularly at home, has been criticised for being too reactive and lacking in creativity.

Frank, though, outlined that he wants his team to be on the front foot. Ahead of two away games against Everton and Newcastle where Spurs are expected to be tested physically, Frank urged his team to stand up to that test.

"I want to play with high intensity and big aggressi[on] and in the Premier League, you need physicality," he said.

"So you need to have a certain level of physicality in the team because if you don't have that, you don't have no chance. If you look at the three big boys right now, look at Liverpool, Arsenal and [Manchester] City, they all have unbelievable physicality and then you of course need some players that can make the difference.

"Then you - that is me - I need to set up a structure that makes sure we play free-flowing football as much as possible."