Tottenham were on top of the world - and briefly the table - with a 2-0 win at Man City in the Etihad Stadium. But the Cherries cut them down to size on a day where the football "didn't hit a top level."
‘The lower level was too low’
The Tottenham boss believed that the opposition brought their best selves to the table today.
“We clearly didn't perform well. I think we played against a very good bonus team that we know can make it difficult for any team in the league. They played to their strength. They did that very well.”
Evanilson scored inside the first ten minutes, indicating how the defence had been more fragile.
“We also didn't defend as well as we should do and we have done in the first three games.”
Antoine Semenyo set the tone with his physicality and aerial prowess, bullying Pedro Porro. The guests did not spring any surprises, but Frank’s men were simply a step slow to deal with the damage.
“We didn't handle it well. We knew exactly what they came with. We trained for it. We just did not enough in terms of the balls behind in the second ball game in the duels in the middle of the park and on the offensive side we struggled to find good enough solution to get through phase one and two.”
The 50-year-old was open enough to concede that the Cherries were the better of the two teams.
“We only did that in the last 15 where we put good pressure and could have equalized but I think over the game it was fair Bournemouth won. So it felt like that lack of creativity until those final minutes.”
The Dane has declared himself to be a pragmatist. Against different opponents, different parts of the toolkit must be used. A high-energy, powerful unit posed problems he must address through training.
“It's not about only making the squad the level is also for us to um to not manage but play different games. One game with City, one kind of football, different football against Burnley. Bournemouth was to complete the third kind and all kinds you need to perform against. Today we struggle with it.”
He acknowledged why the fans would have been frustrated beyond just losing the three points.
“I prefer them not to boo but I understand. It was not a good performance today and they have high expectations which is absolutely fair. I don't think we hit the level we should. I think the players gave everything and that's the foundation and the heart out there. Football wise we didn't hit a top level.”
At the point of the international break, he has seen Spurs put in two strong and one sloppy showing. Bad days can happen, but he cannot afford for those days to drop too far below the demanded level.
“I would like to avoid bad performances. The low level was too low today. That's what we need to raise. Again work ethic and character in the team was good but I think we lacked some football bits.”
‘A great signing’
When displays are dreary, a creative spark can be the difference, as the manager admitted. After the win against Man City, he stuck with a front three of Mohamed Kudus, Richarlison, and Brennan Johnson, while Pape Matar Sarr stayed as a ten. But none of the quartet convinced in his opinion.
“That's something I think also why we signed Simons of course to have an extra offensive player. But I also think on the day with all due respect to our front four players none of them hit a high level.”
The Dane declared he does not want standards to drop, but he knows not every day will go his way.
“That happens sometimes. I don't want to say it's okay, but it's natural.”
He hopes that Xavi Simons can bring more ingenuity to the final third. Dejan Kulusevski continues to rehab from his knee injury, and James Maddison is out for many months with an ACL injury.
“Excited, happy we signed him. It was a great signing from the club. He can play 10, left winger.”
For PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig, he has shown he can blend impact and industry at his best.
“Where you need a player that can do something a bit out of nothing go past a player produce a cross, shot, pass with extra quality that you need on the day, that's what I think he can bring.”
Dominic Solanke is still out of action. He briefly returned in the Super Cup to score a penalty in the shootout off the bench against Paris Saint-Germain. But his ankle continues to cause discomfort.
“Sometimes, it's just taking a little bit longer time. It's not like he reinjured it again. So you can say if you have a muscle injury, then you can maybe reinjure. It's not nothing to that. It is not progressing as quick as we hope for. We are still positive about that it can be solved in the next two weeks.”
Frank explained that his ideal squad would have two players in each position to fight for minutes with each other. However, he has no intention of overstocking the offensive roster with a third striker.
“To have three strikers in a squad can cause problems. They only play one at a time. It's a fine balance. I'm not saying we will never go for another striker. But I'm happy with Dom and Richie.”