‘If they close him down, where do the other threats come from?’ – Thomas Frank on Tottenham’s attacking struggles | OneFootball

Thomas Frank has backed Tottenham’s attackers to step up and score more goals this season.

Tottenham have only scored two goals in their last four matches. Brennan Johnson was the top scorer last season with 18 goals in all competitions but he has just completed a move to Crystal Palace.

Asked if someone, such as Kudus, who has two goals and five assists in 18 Premier League games, needs to step up more, Frank says teams have targeted Kudus more: “Mo (Kudus) is a top guy and he wants to do good and do better. I think overall it has been a good season for him. But I think also there’s a lot of focus on him.

“They (opponents) know if they close him down, where do the other threats come from? So that’s something we need to work on, making sure there are other threats, or we put him in good positions where he can produce some of those moments.”

Richarlison is the top scorer for Frank in the Premier League with seven league goals but their second top scorer is defender Micky van de Ven, who has three goals.

Asked about the lack of goals in the team, Frank said: “All the teams I’ve had before, we have been top goal-scorers in the league. We’ve created top scorers and that will happen again. That I’m absolutely 100 percent convinced about.

“But we also know along the way we need to get enough points. So tweak a few bits, but we still need to make sure we play forward and we play enough expansive football and do that, but everything is connected. If you then open up and we lose 3-1, that’s not good either, so it’s a fine balance.”

Spurs are without Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison at present through injury, and asked where the goals can come from, he replied: “I think there’s a lot of potential in that aspect. First and foremost, I think Richy (Richarlison) has done well, compared to a lot of other seasons. He’s fit and available, and still playing without key creators behind him.

“I always really liked Solanke. I’ve said that many times. I’m convinced he’ll score a lot of goals for us when he’s fit and available. I think Wilson (Odobert) has got very good potential. Mathys (Tel) has got very good potential. Mo (Kudus) needs to score more goals. He will score more goals.”