Tottenham: Thomas Frank reveals pre-season chat with Micky van de Ven after scoring run | OneFootball

The defender is now Spurs’ top scorer this season after his double against Everton

Thomas Frank hailed Micky van de Ven for responding to his pre-season demand for more headed goals.

Van de Ven's brace at the Hill Dickinson Stadium took him to five goals for the season having not scored at all last term.

Frank spoke of the work that has been done on the training ground with set-piece coach Andreas Georgson to make the Dutchman more of a threat

"Top scorer - not bad, huh," Frank joked.

"First and foremost, I think he's really growing and taking some big steps. I'm very pleased with him overall.

"I think he's taken more leadership, defending better and better. Not only using his pace but also more clever positions. Very happy with that.

"And then actually at the beginning of the season I said, 'it's OK you score with your left and your right foot, but you need to score headed goals - you're a centre-back, you need to score more with that'.

"And then we have worked with it. Big praise to Micky but especially to Andreas. And the way he attacked the ball, also get in there where it hurts is key, Hopefully he can continue."

Spurs took advantage of defeats this weekend for Liverpool and Manchester City to rise up the table. They sit only a point behind Bournemouth in second and five off leaders Arsenal, who they face away from home next month.

No side have scored more in the Premier League this season than Spurs and the away record is superb. They are the only side to remain unbeaten on the road, picking up 13 points from a possible 15. However, Frank refused to get carried away.

Asked if his side were title contenders, Frank responded firmly: "No. I think there's probably a few teams that are ahead of us, I think it's fair to say that.

"I'm only thinking of one game at a time and let's see where we are in April."