Thomas Frank believes Tottenham have become “top” in specific areas of their game, but insists there is still room for improvement as he continues to shape the side in his image.
Thomas Frank has undoubtedly transformed Tottenham from the side that struggled so badly last season, with the North London club now looking a more balanced and complete unit under his guidance.
Spurs have developed a resilience that was previously missing and have lost just once all season, a staggering contrast to the 22 defeats recorded last term, which was one of the worst campaigns in their history.
That said, Frank knows this is only one part of a much bigger picture, and the Dane is eager to see his side deliver a more cohesive, well-rounded performance across all phases of play as the season unfolds.
Thomas Frank highlights Tottenham’s pressing and crossing strength
The Tottenham boss recently spoke to the club’s official channel, shedding light on how data and underlying statistics influence his coaching approach and decision-making.
Explaining the importance of analytics in understanding performance levels, Frank said he has long relied on data to communicate the right message to both players and the media.
He also noted that numbers often provide valuable benchmarks to measure progress on the pitch, before describing two aspects of his side’s game as “top”.
The Dane said: “I have used data for a long time to create the right narrative for the players and you guys (the media). That is one thing. It is also good to have one indicator or benchmark to direct performance. I think it is important to have stats to back up the performance either way.
“Seven games is a very small sample. There are elements I am very pleased with – high pressure and phase one, middle pressure is getting better. We are top for crosses and getting in the box,”
Spurs showing progress in key metrics under Frank
Indeed, Tottenham have shown real improvement in their technical and tactical approach, particularly in how they press and recover possession.
Data indicates that Spurs currently rank first in passes per defensive action (PPDA), which stands at just 8.72. This metric measures how many passes the opposition is allowed to complete before encountering a defensive action, effectively capturing the intensity of a team’s pressing.
Based on these numbers, it is clear that Frank’s Tottenham side allows opponents fewer passes before applying pressure, highlighting their commitment to a proactive, front-foot style that mirrors the high-intensity identity the manager is aiming to instil.