'That’s the reason'- Alan Shearer outlines Thomas Frank’s approach that saw Tottenham choke Leeds United

It’s fair to say the plan worked perfectly against Daniel Farke’s men. Both of Tottenham’s goals came from quick transitions, catching the Leeds defence out of position and forcing them to chase shadows. The impressive display once again highlighted Thomas Frank’s tactical flexibility and his growing understanding of how to get the best out of his players.

Tottenham’s direct approach proved to be vital for impressive win

Tottenham managed to come out victorious against an in-form Leeds United side that had endured a brilliant start to the new campaign. The Lilywhites created numerous openings and came close to scoring plenty of times during the game. It was clear to see that Thomas Frank had instructed his players to play direct football and optimise the pockets of space in the final third of the pitch. And credit where its due, the players did exactly that.

Alan Shearer believes the direct approach taken by Spurs helped them get over the line at Elland Road. Speaking on BBC Sport (via TBR Football), Shearer said,

“They were under pressure at times from Leeds; there was always going to be a really tough game there. But I thought that, particularly on the turnover, the transition, once they won that ball, their attitude to get the ball forward as quickly as possible has ultimately helped them win the game.”

The iconic striker added,

“That’s the reason why they won the game, their forward players I thought were very good, and this is a great example of winning the ball back and straight away a forward pass into the final third and saying to forward players, ‘Go and do your stuff’.”

Shearer was clearly impressed by Tottenham’s ability to win possession and launch swift, fluid counter-attacks. He emphasized that their positive attitude and direct approach were vital in securing the three points at Elland Road. The former striker also pointed out that the game plan centred on putting the ball into dangerous areas and allowing the forwards to capitalize on those opportunities.

This performance should serve as a blueprint for Spurs going forward, particularly against difficult opponents. At times, Thomas Frank has been accused of giving too much respect to teams perceived to be weaker than Tottenham, which can hinder results. However, his approach against Leeds was spot-on. If he continues to implement the same strategy in future matches, the Lilywhites could enjoy even greater success as the season unfolds.