Days into his new job as Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank pulled Micky Van de Ven aside to deliver some mixed feedback – to tell him he admired him as a defender but that he did not score enough goals for a player of his stature. The 6’4″ centre back did not score in a 2024/25 season that was plagued by injuries, but after 14 matches under Frank he has become their leading goal-scorer and is the architect of Sunday’s 3-0 victory at Everton.
Last season, only six of the centre-backs who played over 1,000 minutes won less aerial duels. Five were at least 3 inches shorter than Van de Ven.
Saturday, November 1st, 5:00pm
Kick-off at 5:30pm
The improvement in his open play has been modest, but it has been more pronounced from set-pieces where he has scored five goals. Frank’s achievement is his most significant at the club.
Ange postecoglou is an idealist. The Dane on the other hand is a pragmatist. He was initially not convinced of the value of set-pieces but they have become one of his most powerful weapons.
He said, “I’ve always wanted to create things” earlier this week. “Where is the advantage? How can we win a game?
Van de Ven’s double in the opening half at Everton was not possible without that attitude. The result of a match where Spurs didn’t play well in open-play could have been different.”Big kudos to Micky and Andreas [Georgson, Spurs set-piece coach]Frank said, “These goals are the first brace Van deven scored in his career.
Use Chrome for an accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Everton’s match against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League
He has been a key player in helping Tottenham come within seconds of winning the Super Cup last August with two goals scored from free-kicks. And he also coached the two corners that were scored against Everton, who had previously not lost a set piece all season. Sunday’s away day was perfect in many ways. Spurs were able to withstand the pressure, score at the right time and slow down the game where they could. Only two teams took longer than the average for restarts this season. It is easy to understand why they have been unbeaten this season on the road.
Datawrapper
This content was provided by Datawrapper. It may use cookies and other technologies.
We need your consent to use cookies in order to show you the content.
Use the buttons to your left to modify your preferences and enable Datawrapper Cookies or to allow these cookies only once.
Privacy Options allows you to change your settings whenever you want.
Unfortunately, we were unable to confirm if you had consented for Datawrapper to use cookies.
Use the button below if you want to allow Datawrapper cookies only for this session.
Allow Cookies
Accept Cookies Only Once
Van deven’s importance for Spurs and the offensive output he brings is a reflection of Spurs weaknesses elsewhere. Tottenham can get away with gritty, attritional results away from home where any three points are welcome and the band of ultras in the away end don’t need inspiring.But at home, a Champions League club that spent over £150m last summer demands more. Frank is not unable to play both sides of the ball. His Brentford team improved year on year and scored three goals less than Arsenal in their second place finish. But things have yet to click here. Spurs are only one of six teams with less than 100 touches in the opposition’s box. Only four teams had more possession at home than Spurs. Only West Ham and Nottingham Forest have scored less goals in front their own fans.
Datawrapper
This content was provided by Datawrapper. It may use cookies and other technologies.
We need your consent to use cookies in order to show you the content.
Use the buttons below if you want to change your cookie preferences.
You can always change your privacy settings via Privacy Options.
Unfortunately, we were unable to verify whether you had consented for Datawrapper to use cookies.
You can click the button below to view this content and allow Datawrapper Cookies for this session.
Allow Cookies
Accept Cookies Only Once
Frank’s lack of purpose in possession is un-Frankish and more due to the lack of creative thinking within his team rather than his own. Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and other players who are capable of opening up tight defences, have been missing from the Spurs team this season. They have only won 14 out of 50 games where one or both of them have not started, but 22 of 35 when they have, scoring an additional 0.6 goals in each game. The difference is obvious. Xavi Simons, who was supposed to fill the gap, has had to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League and the pace. He’s started five of the six league games since his arrival. It is easily forgotten the £51.8m summer signing, capped 31 times for the Netherlands, is only 22 years old.More will be demanded in time but for the moment, there is enough goodwill to go around with Spurs a tentative third in the Premier League. Frank has been forced to use creativity to replace his lack of creativity. The season does not seem to have a solid foundation yet. Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal in their next five games will test this pragmatism.
2025-10-30 12:00:00
