Thomas Frank has just been speaking to the media following Tottenham's Champions League 0-0 draw at Monaco in the Champions League
Thomas Frank has praised Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario for his heroic display that earned Spurs a big Champions League point in Monaco.
The Dane has now spoken to the media following the goalless draw and stated he is now overly concerned by the fact his side faced 23 shots this evening at the Stade Louis II.
Spurs now return to north London to rest before they travel north to Merseyside for Sunday's Premier League game with Everton.
Here is the full transcript from Frank's press conference.
Spurs' first goalless draw since March 2023, 125 games ago. Did you set out to grind it out like that, because that was kind of how it became in the end?I think it was a game where relatively even first half and then a second half where I think Monaco was better than us, where we didn't hit the performance we want. I think we lacked a bit of intensity overall in the game, especially the second half. And that combined with a day where we didn't get too many players at a good enough level, that can happen. I think we are learning Champions League and every game in Champions League is difficult, especially away games against a good Monaco side, Monaco side I said, before the game, which I also think it's fair to say they had the best half of the season against us, but fair play to them and then the ability for us to compete in the Premier League and then in the Champions League is a challenge we are up for and want to. I also think it's fair to say last year we finished 17th and competed in Europa League, so we are taking it step by step. And it's not the worst thing on a bad day to get a point and a clean sheet. I think today the clean sheet was down to a few things, but a big thing down to Vicario, I think, that played a fantastic game.In the last 10-11 years, Tottenham have had either Harry Kane and Son to rely upon or both of them, now you haven't. Are we seeing the reality of that now?I think that's fair to say. Wilson Odobert is a very, very good talent and I think he's been positive but of course he is taking his step into the Premier League and the Champions League. With other players also, Xavi [Simons] has just come to the club, Lucas is a young player, Kudus has been exceptional for us, but also played more or less every minute. So we lack maybe that little extra spark today. Kolo Muani we believe can make a difference and look positive when he came on. But he had that injury, so of course there's some of that. No complaints, it is what it is. It's my job to get the most out of the players available.
Some of the players lack some intensity. What do you put that down to? It's a Champions League night.Good question. Maybe we need to think a little bit more about it. I'll try to come up with an answer. There can be many, many things. It can be a combination of play it good and cover it. It was a very competitive game against Villa. I think we performed very well. Then to go again. Some of them haven't done that too much, some have. It could be just on the day you don't get a top performance. I think the first half was okay in that sense, but I think in the second half we lacked more.But just to be clear, is it a matter of effort in your mind?No, I don't think it's effort. I think it's more the ability to go again and again and again in every action throughout a game. I think it's not been a problem at other times. Sometimes it is. Today was not top.On Vicario, his performance was questioned against Villa, is he the type of character to use that as fuel to turn in tonight's performance? Did you speak to him? There's been some questions amongst fans whether he should be your number one, but that was a great response tonight.I think the two goals against Villa, I don't think it's mistakes. I don't think it's any of that. It was two great finishes. But what I would say, and as you said, I think he was very good today. I think some of the saves were exceptional tonight. He's a big part of why we got a hard-fought point, but at the end of the day it can be a crucial point.
Just on Odobert, did he pick up an injury?Actually, I don't know. But of course we shoved him off because there was some pain, but I don't know the consequences of it.Thomas, I know you had 23 shots tonight. Is that worrying for you, that they're hurting a lot?Yeah, I think you can say we just played home to Villa where they only had eight shots. If it was every game we conceded 23 shots, it would be a big challenge, which it is definitely not. So it can be a combination of lack of intensity, a combination of Monaco hitting a very high level, a combination of us not hitting the best level. But they had too many shots to what I would like.What can Archie Gray give you from left-back?I think he solves it very well, as he's done a lot of times last year, left-back, right-back and centre-back. I think he can play all three positions. I think his best position is still midfielder. But I think he can play all three. I like his character and effort in the left-back today. He just carried on when he came into the midfield and did well there as well. Final one on the back, please.What is Kolo Muani missing to get back into the national team?First and foremost, I think it was very nice to have him back in the Champions League. I'm sure he appreciates it as well. I'm very happy that we managed to sign him in the end of the transfer window. We were unlucky to pick up a dead leg early.
That's kept him out of the game so far. But now he's been training well for some weeks. He got minutes in the weekend against Villa, got more minutes today. I think it looked like there were some promising actions today.
Of course, he liked a little bit more rhythm and Max's top actions. But I like him a lot in many aspects. I think for any player to come into any national team, and the French is a very strong national team, of course you need to play more games and hopefully we'll do that.