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'We’ll do that'- Thomas Frank backs ‘frustrated’ Tottenham to mend their ways after Chelsea loss
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Tottenham Hotspur need to find a way to play on the front foot this season under Thomas Frank

It is fair to say that Tottenham were thoroughly outplayed by Chelsea at home in the Premier League on Saturday night. The 1-0 defeat at N17 marked the Lilywhites’ third home loss of the league campaign, equalling their record for the worst-ever points tally at home from their first five league matches (4). The result did not do justice to the performance, as Enzo Maresca’s men wiped the floor with the North Londoners.

Unsurprisingly, Thomas Frank’s men once again failed to score at home in the Premier League this season. Their inefficiency in the final third means Spurs have now registered fewer league goals at home than relegation-threatened Wolves, which is a worrying statistic for a team aiming to close the gap on their top-four rivals.

Tottenham’s attacking struggles were laid bare yet again, as they recorded an expected goals (XG) tally of just 0.10 against Chelsea, further evidence that they failed to create a single meaningful chance throughout the game. The lack of influence from the forwards has become a recurring theme for Spurs, and Frank’s attacking approach is beginning to come under increasing scrutiny.

Thomas Frank needs to address the attacking issues at Tottenham

The goal drought at home is quickly turning into a major problem for Thomas Frank as he looks to steady the ship at N17. Many believe the Lilywhites have become overly reliant on set-pieces to find the back of the net, exposing their lack of creativity from open play. The front line has struggled to make an impact in most matches, leaving Frank with plenty to ponder as the campaign moves forward.

When asked about his team’s attacking struggles, Frank addressed the issue in his post-match press conference (via Football.London),

“Couple of things. Today of course everyone will be frustrated. I’d say we have 24 hours and then we need to look forward again. Today was one snapshot that didn’t look good. I think there have definitely been other spells that have been better.”

The Spurs boss added,

“There’s no doubt, and I keep saying it, that we have a front four that is new. We have to build together with short turnarounds in games. We’ll do that. I’m not in doubt that will happen. I think every team I’ve coached has scored a lot of goals. It will happen again in the future here.”

Frank believes his players need to reflect on the defeat before turning their attention to their upcoming Champions League fixture. The Danish tactician acknowledged that his new-look front four are still adapting to the demands of playing for a big Premier League club. He remains confident that once they develop rhythm and consistency, the goals will start to flow again.

The onus is now on Frank and his attacking players to step up and turn Tottenham’s fortunes around if they are to remain in contention for European qualification this season. Spurs cannot hope to close the gap on their rivals without addressing their issues in front of goal and finding a way to fix them in the months ahead.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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