‘I want to play offensive, front footed football’ – Frank on criticism of his tactics as Spurs boss | OneFootball

Thomas Frank has reiterated his desire to play “front footed football” at Spurs amid recent criticism of his approach.

After being thrashed in the north London derby last Sunday by Arsenal, his Tottenham side lost to PSG in the midweek despite scoring 3 three goals in a 5-3 loss.

When asked if he has seen criticism of him not being brave enough tactically to be Tottenham manager, he responded: “I have 100% not seen it, because as I said before, I don’t read anything.

“One thing for sure, when I walk into this club, besides I knew I would lose football matches, I also knew I would be criticised, so I literally don’t care what they say. I listen to the trusted people I have close to me and others. The only thing I would say is, it’s slightly more easy to be on the outside.”

When asked if is seen as a cautious manager he said: “No, no, not at all.

“I think everyone has seen my games over all the years I’ve been in charge, no matter if it was my under-8 team in Frederiksberg 30 years ago, or now, I want to play offensive, front-footed football.

“But probably also in those 30 years they could pick games at under-8 in Frederiksberg to Brøndby to Brentford where it didn’t work for whatever reason. It didn’t work Sunday against Arsenal, the plan was to be front-footed, we weren’t.

“That, we adjusted and I agree with you, I think it’s a very good question. It’s a different kind [of emotion], after Sunday I was angry, painful, hurt. Yesterday (against PSG) I was irritated but the feeling in the body was better because we really, really, really competed. It was more the identity I wanted to show.”

Spurs signed attacking midfielder Xavi Simons in the summer to bolster their frontline, but the Dutchman has found himself on the bench of late.

When asked why he is not starting more games, Frank responded: “It’s not straightforward in any way, so I think it’s a completely natural part of the development or adjustment to the league.”

Responding to different games with different abilities was the key, he suggested.

“No matter what type of player you are, do you give enough to the offensive part of the game?”, he said.

“That means do you either play forward enough, do you create chances enough, do you produce crosses, whatever the position is, full-back, midfielder or winger. The defensive side of the game, do you work hard enough, do you win the duels, do you get under the ball, can you press with intensity, and then there’s the set-pieces, do you bring it up to the defensive one?

“All that, that’s the reason why we select players, how they can perform, and then there’s a little difference between playing Arsenal away and whatever, another team at home, or PSG away.”