Thomas Frank has made a clear statement about his senior Tottenham players after his selection was questioned over the past few weeks.
The biggest source of consternation among Spurs fans over recent weeks has been Frank’s midfield selections, with many wanting to see him move away from a double pivot.
The numbers were certainly clear on the matter, with Tottenham struggling to progress the ball when Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha play together.
However, Frank has maintained that Bentancur and Palhinha offer Spurs solidity defensively, and unsurprisingly, he stuck with the same pairing away at Everton.
Thomas Frank reacts to Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur’s performance for Tottenham
Spurs’ 3-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium demonstrated why the Tottenham head coach continues to play the Uruguayan and the Portuguese stars over the likes of Pape Sarr.
The pair constantly put out fires in front of the Tottenham back four, ensuring that the Lilywhites emerged from Merseyside with another clean sheet.
Frank was asked after the game if this is the type of game where the experienced midfield pair are most valuable.
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He responded (via Tottenham’s official website): “I think it’s very clear. I think both of them today were excellent. I think they were very good on the ball. I think they were excellent defensively and landed on the second ball when they needed to.
“I think we controlled the game more, I think the bounce passes and the bits and pieces to build up and control the game was very good. So, in a time where we are building and going to the next level, I think they are extremely important.”
Spurs fans should be mindful of general tactical trends while criticising Frank’s approach
The frustration of Tottenham supporters over the lack of creativity is understandable, but that conversation cannot be divorced from what we are seeing across the Premier League as a whole.
The team who are currently the best in the country, Arsenal, also do not create many chances and are heavily reliant on set pieces.
Due to the effect of PSR over the last few years, the Premier League now seems tighter and more equal than ever, with very little to separate most teams.
As a result, the teams that avoid mistakes and prioritise not conceding goals seemingly have an upper hand over those that are open and flamboyant.