Thomas Frank is keen for Tottenham Hotspur to make the most of set pieces
Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed a 3-0 win over Everton last weekend in what was an impressive display from the North Londoners.
While it was always expected to be a sketchy tie, Thomas Frank & Co. did well to come out of the game with a win. And in doing so, the Lilywhites became the first away team to get three points at Merseysiders’ new Hill Dickinson stadium.
While on the face of it, set pieces may feel like a secondary part of the game. Especially when you compare it with how people talk about flowing attacks or high presses. But it is this notion of making it a primary part of the game that has given Tottenham this win against David Moyes’ side and many such points this season. Both of the Lilywhites’ goals came from set pieces. One was from a corner, while another involved that long throw which disrupted Everton’s back‑line.
And after the game, Thomas Frank spoke about how “everyone can see” that the emphasis on set pieces is no longer a niche; it’s needed.
Thomas Frank speaks on set pieces after Everton win
The Dane head coach has always been someone who wants lethal displays from set pieces. We saw how his Brentford side got the upper hand in games from such situations. And he has brought this blueprint to Hotspur Way as well. And we can clearly see the results.
He did speak exactly about this while reflecting after the game. Frank said (via. BBC):
“I think the focus on the set-pieces has been raised in the last two or three years. No doubt, we in Brentford had a big focus on it and then the big boys did that.
“Everyone can see it is such a key element to get right. If you want to achieve anything you need to be good in all areas. This is a key area.”
The fact that he wants this primary emphasis on set pieces shows how Frank wants his players to treat set pieces with the same seriousness as open‑play tactics. And it has been paying off quite well for Tottenham.
TTLB Opinion
It is easy to get in a conversation about structure and pressing when talking about Tottenham under the former Brentford manager. But what Thomas Frank has been doing at Hotspur Way is foundational. He has been trying to build a team which has the capacity to grind out results and win ugly when needed. It is not just about dazzling through games even when everything is clicking. And it will come into fruition, especially in such sketchy games.
We are watching Arsenal put in a serious bid for the Premier League title under Mikel Arteta, with set pieces being one of the cores of their game. And it looks like Tottenham are adapting to that.
What do you make of Tottenham’s set-piece abilities under Thomas Frank? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
