Archie Gray offers Thomas Frank his full support amid attacking concerns at Tottenham

Archie Gray has backed Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank for the way he chooses to set up his team, despite the recent criticism directed at the Dane.

Thomas Frank was praised for his ability to adapt in order to defeat an opponent when he first became the Tottenham Hotspur manager.

Despite this, the ex-Brentford boss has recently been criticised for managing Spurs as if they were his former club, due to his decision to prioritise winning duels over getting forwards.

Tottenham were lambasted after an abysmal North London derby display last weekend, but there was a clear desire to play on the front foot against PSG in the Champions League.

Archie Gray throws his support behind Thomas Frank at Tottenham

There has been unrest among the Tottenham fanbase due to Frank’s cautious approach to the game. However, Archie Gray has no problems following his manager’s rigid style.

Although the 18-year-old acknowledges that playing defensive football is not always desirable, it can be necessary when facing the very best teams in Europe.

He told Football London: “The coaching staff have been absolutely brilliant with everyone, especially improving our individual games and stuff like that.

“Last season was a tough season, obviously it ended really well but a lot of tough moments in the season, especially for me playing centre-back and all these different positions, which I’m grateful for but there were loads of setbacks.

“It is just things to learn from and the coaching staff this year have been really helpful with individual plans and stuff like that.

“I think every club wants to play entertaining football and sometimes when you play teams like PSG you obviously have to alter that a little bit.

“They are the champions of Europe, so they have that individual quality where they can take you apart in literally one moment.

“Obviously, we all want to play entertaining football, but sometimes you might have to adapt that for certain games and we’re 100 per cent with the coaching staff and the manager.”

Spurs will need to be creative against Fulham

Gray may be content playing a less attractive game in order to survive a beating from teams like PSG. However, Tottenham ought to be playing good football against a Fulham team who sit in the bottom half of the Premier League.

Saturday will provide Spurs with a different kind of test, and there needs to be good energy and creativity on display. Especially since another league game spent on the back foot would not go down well with the supporters.

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