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Can Thomas Frank bring the good times back to Tottenham Hotspur – and maybe Bryan Mbeumo with him?

More pertinently, from a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) perspective, can the newly appointed Spurs boss make the Lilywhites’ assets attractive picks again?

In this Moving Target piece, we take a closer look at the 51-year-old former Brentford head coach.

CAREER SO FAR

An amateur footballer who quickly realised that his talents belonged to coaching, he started from the bottom and worked his way up to become Denmark Under-16s and Under-17s manager, taking the latter to the 2011 European Championship semi-finals.

Coaching his nation’s younger generation continued until he was appointed as Brondby’s first-team head coach two years later. The Copenhagen-based side were Danish champions on 10 occasions between 1985 and 2005, but had just escaped both relegation and bankruptcy. This represented a big move for Frank.

Goals became a struggle and some players saw him as a soft touch, though fourth and third-placed finishes brought stability. However, Frank quit in March 2016 after it was sensationally revealed that Brondby’s chairman was using an anonymous pseudonym to repeatedly criticise him on an online fan forum.

Nine months later, he decided to join Dean Smith’s coaching staff at Brentford. And when Aston Villa tempted away the latter in October 2018, Frank stepped up to become the new head coach.

A heartbreaking 2019/20 Championship playoff final defeat to neighbours Fulham could’ve derailed them. But it didn’t. 12 months later, a team containing Ivan Toney, David Raya and Bryan Mbeumo went one better and beat Swansea City 2-0 at Wembley, earning promotion to the top flight.

Since then, Frank has not only kept Brentford in the Premier League, but he’s mostly had them comfortably mid-table. Finishes of 13th and ninth preceded a 16th-placed season that was injury-ravaged and mostly without the banned Toney. Still, there was a 13-point gap between them and the relegation zone.

The 2024/25 campaign played out much better for this west London side. Tenth in the table, where European qualification was genuinely realistic until the final fortnight. After this, Frank decided it was time to leave and take on a new, exciting challenge.

FRANK AT BRENTFORD: PLAYING STYLE

The Bees achieved Championship success by focusing on possession but, once promoted, Frank changed to a more pragmatic style. Often switching between 4-3-3 (in easier tests) and 3-5-2 (against the ‘big clubs’), it focused on defensive organisation, counter-attacking and some innovative set-pieces.

Above: The most-used Brentford formations during their four Premier League seasons

After Toney’s departure last summer, the Bees’ fourth season brought evolution. They played out from the back more often, seeking wide passing combinations and regular pressing for high turnovers. 2024/25 was almost exclusively a 4-2-3-1 system, allowing Mikkel Damsgaard to shine.

The playmaker assisted 10 times, thriving around three attackers who each scored at least 11 goals.

Brentford remained great at dead-ball situations, too. Over these four campaigns, no Premier League team recorded more expected goals (xG) from set-pieces than their 64.7. This season’s 48 chances from throw-ins were far in front, as were the six goals that came from them. No other outfit exceeded two. This could be good for Spurs centre-back Cristian Romero, if he’s not agitating to leave.

Meanwhile, there was also a quirk where, between Gameweeks 4 and 6, Brentford became the first side in Premier League history to score within the first minute on three consecutive occasions. In Gameweek 7, they were polite enough to wait until the 75th second.

“I came here as a guy who wanted to show off and shine. I became a leader and people remember me as a good captain and a good person. The way he changed me, I will never forget. He is a friend for life, the best coach I ever worked with.” – Pontus Jansson

Frank doesn’t seem to be a believer in long-range efforts. His tactics emphasise getting the ball into the penalty area before shooting. The Bees are usually the league’s best for xG per non-penalty shots (between 0.13 and 0.14). In 2024/25, only Liverpool netted more times from inside the box.

At the back, Frank’s trick is to force opponents into harmless shots from distance. For example, his team conceded the second-most overall attempts (647) – more than relegated duo Leicester City and Ipswich Town. But they also allowed the seventh-fewest big chances (80).

Because of this, Mark Flekken made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the ‘big five’ European leagues (156).

ARRIVING AT TOTTENHAM

Gameweek 37 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) kicks off with the unusual spectacle of two Friday night games.

Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur gets us underway at 19:30 BST, with Chelsea v Manchester United following on 45 minutes later.

Both UEFA Europa League finalists are in action tonight and Ange Postecoglou clearly has one eye on Wednesday’s game in Bilbao.

He’s gone with the Spurs second string again, although the injury-free Son Heung-min gets some fitness-boosting minutes under his belt on his first league start since Gameweek 31.

Postecoglou makes three alterations in all from the similarly under-strength starting XI he sent out against Crystal Palace.

Son is joined by Sergio Reguilon and Mikey Moore in the visitors’ line-up.

Dejan Kulusevski is injured, of course, while Pedro Porro and Rodrigo Bentancur drop to the bench.

If anything, then, it’s an ever weaker (on paper) line-up to Gameweek 36.

As for Aston Villa, there are also three alterations – and all of them pretty much as expected.

Ian Maatsen and Pau Torres return in defence, with Lucas Digne and Tyrone Mings back down among the substitutes.

Unai Emery’s other change is enforced as John McGinn comes in for the suspended Jacob Ramsey.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has gone stronger for the Red Devils’ trip to Chelsea.

He’s made five changes in total, recalling Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro and Patrick Dorgu.

Leny Yoro is injured, while Altay Bayindir, Harry Amass, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte drop to the bench.

Enzo Maresca makes three alterations, one enforced due to Nicolas Jackson‘s suspension. Tyrique George comes in for his full Premier League debut.

Reece James and Tosin Adarabioyo also oust the benched Romeo Lavia and Trevoh Chalobah.

LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Kamara, Onana, Rogers, Asensio, McGinn, Watkins.

Subs: Olsen, Disasi, Mings, Barkley, Digne, Garcia, Malen, Bogarde, Bailey.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Kinsky, Spence, Danso, Davies, Reguilon, Gray, Sarr, Moore, Odobert, Son, Tel.

Subs: Vicario, Bissouma, Richarlison, Solanke, Johnson, Porro, Bentancur, Cassanova, Olusesi.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, George.

Subs: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Gusto, Acheampong, Chalobah, Anselmino, Badiashile, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall.

Manchester United XI: Onana, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Diallo, Mount, Hojlund.

Subs: Bayindir, Amass, Fredricson, Heaven, Collyer, Eriksen, Mainoo, Ugarte, Garnacho.

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In this article, we identify the opposition weaknesses that teams and players could try to exploit in Gameweek 37.

Only Premium Members can read this piece in full, so sign up today to get full access not just to the editorial content but all of the other benefits, including Opta and StatsBomb data.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

HIGH DEFENSIVE LINE

Tottenham Hotspur’s high defensive line has its benefits, as it allows them to press high and aggressively.

If it isn’t implemented properly, however, which has so often been the case this season, it can cause huge problems.

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace side were successfully able to exploit the space behind Spurs’ backline on Sunday, counter-attacking sharply, particularly in the first half.

The Eagles racked up 23 shots in total, and had it not been for some profligate finishing and two disallowed goals, they would have ended with a scoreline that reflected their dominance.

This is all good news for Aston Villa in Gameweek 37.

While a recall for Micky van de Ven (£4.5m), who has incredible recovery pace, will naturally help, Spurs have little to play for and key players may be wary of picking up injuries, with the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao just five days later.

For Villa, however, it’s essentially a cup final, as they target UEFA Champions League qualification.

It could play into the hands of Ollie Watkins (£8.9m), given his ability to run in behind, test the offside trap and stretch the opposition defence.

Morgan Rogers (£5.7m) could benefit, too – he’s second among all players for through balls (TB) in 2024/25:

ARSENAL

Three more matches follow on from Newcastle United v Chelsea on a busy day of Premier League football.

Ruben Amorim has made six changes to his starting line-up from the midweek win over Athletic Club.

Altay Bayindir, Luke Shaw, Harry Amass, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo come into the side as Andre Onana, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Patrick Dorgu, Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho make way.

As for the visitors, Graham Potter brings in Vladimir Coufal, Guido Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse for Emerson Palmieri, Lucas Paqueta and Niclas Fullkrug.

There is just one change across the two teams at the City Ground, with Morato starting for the hosts in place of the injured Murillo.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has rested many of the players who started Thursday’s UEFA Europa League semi-final win away to Bodo/Glimt, with eight changes in total.

Out go Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Yves Bissouma, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

In come Antonin Kinsky, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Djed Spence, Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr, Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel.

Son Heung-min is back on the bench after missing the last four league matches with injury.

Oliver Glasner’s two alterations see the injured Adam Wharton and benched Daichi Kamada replaced by Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes.

LINE-UPS

Manchester United XI: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Yoro, Shaw, Amad, Mainoo, Ugarte, Amass, Fernandes, Mount, Hojlund

Subs: Heaton, Dorgu, Fredricson, Lindelof, Maguire, Casemiro, Eriksen, Garnacho, Obi

West Ham United XI: Areola, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Coufal, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Wan-Bissaka, Kudus, Bowen

Subs: Fabianski, Soler, Paqueta, Fullkrug, Mavropanos, Guilherme, Alvarez, Emerson, Ferguson

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Wood

Subs: Miguel, Awoniyi, Toffolo, Jota, Yates, Sosa, Danilo, Boly, Abbott

Leicester City XI: Stolarczyk, Justin, Coady, Faes, Thomas, Ndidi, Skipp, McAteer, Ayew, El Khannouss, Vardy

Subs: Iversen, Coulibaly, Okoli, Kristiansen, Soumare, Evans, Buonanotte, Monga, Daka

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Kinksy, Porro, Danso, Davies, Spence, Bentancur, Sarr, Gray, Kulusevski, Odobert, Tel

Subs: Vicario, Romero, van de Ven, Bissouma, Moore, Johnson, Son, Richarlison, Solanke

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Munoz, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell, Sarr, Eze, Mateta

Subs: Turner, Nketiah, Franca, Clyne, Kamada, Esse, Chilwell, Devenny, Kporha

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After the Telegraph’s initial Tuesday morning news, Aston Villa have announced that their Gameweek 37 fixture against Tottenham Hotspur has been moved to Friday 16 May (7.30pm BST kick-off).

It was previously scheduled for Sunday 18 May, but Spurs raised concerns over the timing of the match due to their potential participation in the UEFA Europa League final a few days later.

Crucially for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, it means that Villa and Spurs still get to take part in Gameweek 37, with Chelsea v Manchester United already taking place on that Friday night.

Speaking of which, the Blues have revealed that their initial 8pm BST kick-off has now been pushed to 8:15pm. All this means that FPL’s current 6:30pm deadline will get moved to 6pm.

It also confirms there won’t be any more Blank or Double Gameweeks this season.

Liverpool welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 16:30 BST.

The Reds, who will be crowned Premier League champions if they avoid defeat, make two changes from last week’s narrow 1-0 win over Leicester City.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson start for the hosts, replacing the injured Conor Bradley and benched Kostas Tsimikas.

As for Spurs, Ange Postecoglou rings the changes, with eight players dropping out of the starting XI.

Out go Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison.

Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke earn recalls.

LINE-UPS

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Diaz

Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Spence, Danso, Davies, Udogie, Bergvall, Gray, Maddison, Johnson, Tel, Solanke

Subs: Kinksy, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski, Odobert, Richarlison

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Tottenham Hotspur take on Nottingham Forest in the Monday night Premier League game.

Spurs sealed their progress into the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last week, but sit 16th in the Premier League with nothing to play for.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, however, are aiming to get their UEFA Champions League push back on, having lost their last two matches.

Kick-off in north London is at 20:00 BST.

Ange Postecoglou has made five changes for the visit of Forest.

Djed Spence, Pape Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison come into the starting XI.

Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke drop to the bench, while Destiny Udogie is not in the matchday squad.

Son Heung-min, who has missed the last two fixtures in all competitions with a foot injury, remains out.

Forest, meanwhile, make three changes to the side that lost to Everton last time out.

Anthony Elanga returns in attack and comes in for Jota Silva, while Harry Toffolo and Danilo replace Alex Moreno and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

LINE-UPS

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence, Bentancur, Sarr, Kulusevski, Odobert, Tel, Richarlison

Subs: Kinsky, Davies, Danso, Gray, Bissouma, Bergvall, Maddison, Johnson, Solanke

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Toffolo, Anderson, Dominguez, Danilo, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Wood

Subs: Miguel, Morato, Sangare, Awoniyi, Hudson-Odoi, Moreno, Yates, Sosa, Abbott

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Gameweek 30 reached its conclusion in west London on Thursday night. Chelsea edged a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, with Enzo Fernandez’s (£4.7m) header from a Cole Palmer (£10.7m) cross separating the two sides.

PALMER + JACKSON RETURN

Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson (£7.7m) both recovered from injury to start for Chelsea on Thursday.

Sold by 2.4m Fantasy managers in the last two Gameweeks, Palmer notched his first Opta assist since December, when Enzo nodded in his superb cross.

A goal still evades him, however.

The England international frequently looked dangerous against Tottenham, creating two chances for his team-mates and registering two shots of his own, yet even having collected a share of the bonus, you can’t help but feel a little underwhelmed by his six-point return.

“To be honest, I think Cole Palmer’s performance tonight was very similar to the rest of the performances. The only difference is that in the previous performance, he didn’t score, he didn’t assist. And because he’s a top player, and probably the best player we have, every time he didn’t score or didn’t assist, it’s news.

“But for me it’s something normal. I said many times that we cannot rely on Cole for every game. We cannot expect Cole every game to score or assist. And tonight, the assist for Enzo was a top assist. Enzo was in the right position. I am very happy for him.” – Enzo Maresca

As for Jackson, he struck the woodwork inside the opening minute, when Micky van de Ven’s (£4.5m) attempted clearance cannoned off the striker and on to the post.

His return – and indeed Palmer’s – certainly prompted a better attacking display from Chelsea, with much greater fluidity afforded by the latter’s roaming role on the left.

“So tonight, we used more balls in behind. It’s because of Tottenham, the way they defend, the way they press. And Nico for us, since we start, I said many times that he’s an important player because he’s a threat. He’s a threat for the defensive line. Off the ball, he’s pressing everyone. For sure with Nico we are a different team.” – Enzo Maresca

Above: Chelsea’s average position map v Tottenham, including Cole Palmer (No 20) and Nicolas Jackson (No 15)

Enzo, meanwhile, has now scored home and away against Spurs this season, having produced four attacking returns in his last seven appearances.

ANOTHER HOME CLEAN SHEET

Chelsea were by far the better team on Thursday, as they jumped back up to fourth with three points.

It means they have now won each of their last six matches in all competitions at Stamford Bridge, the last four of which while also keeping a clean sheet:

Graphic via WhoScored

Moises Caicedo (£4.9m) was arguably the best player on the pitch against Tottenham, winning eight of his nine ground duels. He even had a goal disallowed by VAR for an offside in the build-up.

Malo Gusto (£4.9m) also impressed.

A constant attacking outlet, he switched to a left wing role ahead of Marc Cucurella (£5.3m) following Reece James’ (£4.8m) introduction.

Given the above, there could be value in adding a Chelsea defender to your squad, especially if you are planning to Bench Boost in Gameweek 32, when the Blues host relegation-threatened Ipswich Town.

Wesley Fofana (£4.3m) is newly-flagged, however, having missed out through injury on Thursday.

STRUGGLING SPURS

This was another ropey display from Tottenham, who are now winless in four matches and 14th in the Premier League.

Carved open a number of times, they also offered very little in attack, having generated just 0.79 expected goals (xG).

Dominic Solanke (£7.3m), a bystander throughout, actually registered the fewest touches of any starter (21), as Spurs struggled to find patterns in their attacking play.

Bar a long-range equaliser from Pape Sarr (£4.7m), which was eventually ruled out for a foul in the build-up, there was very little to cheer, a headscratcher given that Spurs were able to welcome back key personnel, including van de Ven, James Maddison (£7.4m) and Son Heung-min (£9.7m).

Defeat, however, leaves Tottenham with nine Premier League away losses this season, the most of any club except Leicester City (11) and Southampton (12).

“We conceded a really poor goal, which was disappointing. That’s what’s costing us at the moment. I thought our response after that was excellent. We scored a good equaliser, then had a couple of chances to get something out of the game, but ultimately, we fell short.

“There were some positive signs. I don’t think it’s through a lack of effort, the players fought hard. We’ve got an opportunity on Sunday to improve our results.” – Ange Postecoglou

Gameweek 30 comes to a close this evening at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur gets underway at 20:00 BST.

For the hosts, it is a chance to move into the top four, while Spurs are desperate for a win, with just three in their last 13 league matches.

Chelsea are bolstered by the return of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.

Those two are among four changes made by Enzo Maresca, who has also brought in Trevoh Chalobah and Malo Gusto.

Wesley Fofana misses out, while Benoit Badiashile, Reece James and Christopher Nkunku drop to the bench.

Noni Madueke is also named among the substitutes.

Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, makes five changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Fulham prior to the international break.

Micky van de Ven, Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert and Son Heung-min come in for Ben Davies, Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray, Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel.

LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson

Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin, Badiashile, Acheampong, James, Dewsbury-Hall, Madueke, George, Nkunku

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Spence, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Bergvall, Bentancur, Odobert, Maddison, Son, Solanke

Subs: Kinsky, Porro, Davies, Gray, Bissouma, Sarr, Moore, Johnson, Tel

CHECK YOUR LIVE FPL RANK

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