Tottenham: Thomas Frank issues Xavi Simons and Joao Palhinha verdict after mixed night | OneFootball

The two summer signings had opposing impacts on the game

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Thomas Frank believes Djed Spence and Xavi Simons can build a strong partnership down Tottenham's left-hand side after struggling to spark against Villarreal.

While Villarreal had their chances, they failed to test Guglielmo Vicario in Spurs' goal, while his Brazilian counterpart made just one stop in a game lacking in cutting edge.

Simons blazed an early attempt over the bar in one glimpse of his ability, but in the end, his night could have turned sour after escaping a second yellow card before being substituted.

"I think it was a step forward against West Ham offensively," Frank told Amazon Prime. "That is definitely the area where we need to get better, but it's also a little bit [to improve] the relationship.

"So Djed Spence and Simons, it's their second game together. So too many times they played it too short, or into feet. So, there's something in that definitely."

Home debut: Xavi Simons

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He added to reporters afterwards: "It's fair to say [Simons] and Djed need a little relationship, of course, to get going. No complaints, it's just natural.

"For example, on the right side, Pedro [Porro] and [Mohamed] Kudus, they definitely have something going. I think Lucas [Bergvall] came over to that side, it looks right. On the left side, Xavi and Djed, good against West Ham, but it's not 100 per cent in sync."

He also said: "Offensively, we didn't hit the highest level. There was definitely a spell second half where we decided to just give it to the Villarreal players, and then we just sprint back, which I thought was a very good, and fun, fun thing.

Impact: Joao Palhinha

Action Images via Reuters

"But on the flip side, I think Villarreal is a good team, and they defended very well as well. So it was a very, very even game that we just edged."

Palhinha's introduction in the second half, with 20 minutes to go, was key to Spurs grinding out the win.

Frank said: "He's a very good player. He stabilised us more in the middle of the pitch. So that helped, definitely ... [The players] are working very hard, and that we have a very good foundation to stand on, tn terms of our defensive organization. We give very little away against a Champions League team."