Thomas Frank spoke to the media at Hotspur Way after training on Monday, ahead of our UEFA Champions League MD6 clash against Slavia Prague at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night (8pm UK).
Here’s what he had to say…
Can we get a team news update? No Destiny Udogie or Brennan Johnson out there training? Are they out?
Thomas: “Destiny, as I said after the (Brentford) game unfortunately picked up a hamstring injury at the end of the Newcastle game, so he’s out until January, unfortunately. Brennan is touch and go."
After a good performance on Saturday, are you tempted to stick to a winning side?
Thomas: “I liked the performance, as I said after the game, but we're also playing a lot of games, so there will be a bit of rotation. I think that's the right thing to do to make sure everyone is coming full of energy and freshness but also keeping a core.”
Can I ask about Yves Bissouma – is a disciplinary process underway, have you spoken to him?
Thomas: “It's an internal matter that we're dealing with at the moment, and when we have dealt with that, then I will have a comment on it.”
Is Dejan Kulusevski at a stage in his rehabilitation where he can go off to a different environment and help his recovery?
Thomas: “Yeah, as I said, I will confirm when he's available for the squad. It's part of the recovery. There’s a plan for everything.”
We saw James Maddison out there today – could you update us on where he is?
Thomas: “It's very early stages. It's still a long-term injury, so it's good to see him out there, but very early stages. There's no specific time frame. It'll be a long time, unfortunately, before he's available.”
How important is it for the team to build on the win against Brentford and continue the momentum in this game?
Thomas: “Definitely. It's always good to build on and get the momentum and get more consistent, good performances. That's a big part of getting into that. We really try to build on that tomorrow night and have a good opportunity against a good Slavia Prague team that I’ve studied a lot and they make it difficult. They play a very direct, physical style. They have more or less man-to-man over the pitch, so that just makes it different. You can't relax at one stage of the game. When you're a little bit further up the pitch, you also have man-to-man over the pitch, so you're not as used to that bit. That can definitely, potentially, make it difficult for us. It's a game where we respect the opponent a lot, but it's about us. It's about us making sure we perform well and continue with the forwardness and directness we had in the offensive play.”
Are you still aiming for the top eight (of the UCL league phase)? Do you have how many points you need for the last games together?
Thomas: “For me, it’s this next game is ahead of us. We've played so many games. This is the next in the Champions League. It's a very important one, playing at home. So far, we have a perfect record. Can we continue that? Three points tomorrow will be a massive step. In the first bit, that is to qualify for the play-off rounds. If and when hopefully we qualify for that, then we can look further ahead after that.”
Is Antonin Kinsky being considered as a potential number one for Tottenham in the future?
Thomas: “To be fair, first and foremost, I think Toni is a very good goalkeeper. I'm very happy with him here at Tottenham. I think he has a great future ahead of him in many ways. I think it's difficult for any player, no matter if you're young or you're old, you're a goalkeeper, you're also an outfield player - If you're not playing, you're not 100% happy. That's unfortunately part of the game, but when it's like that, just keep training well, head down, do everything you can to improve on the training pitch every day. That's the most important thing.”
Have you debated putting Mathys Tel in the squad in this period where Dom Solanke is out?
Thomas: “Of course, if I knew back then what I know now, it maybe would have changed the decision, no doubt about that. Of course, it's something we can have into consideration if you can change one player, when is the timing, when can the other player be back and all that. There was also a decision in terms of some of the other long-term injuries. When can they be back? You also need players that are fit and available, so we have enough players to shoot with from the bench.”
Would you consider putting him in? I think this is the last match where you can make a change for an injury. Would you consider putting him in for these next three games if Dom isn't available until January?
Thomas: “I think there's definitely some consideration we have with the players we have available to make sure we have the most possible weapons to fire with.”
Home form in the Champions League has actually been very good this season – you beat Villarreal and they’re doing really well in Spain. What do you put that difference down to in the Champions League?
Thomas: “A bit of coincidence sometimes, whatever, there could be various reasons. I think for me, the Champions League, Premier League, Carabao Cup, if we play at home, we play at home, no matter the competition. So, that's why it's never as good or as bad as we always think and talk about. It's not been perfect and not at the level we want, but I think it was a very good step going forward, Saturday. I really expect and hope and have a good feeling about tomorrow night. We know it can be very awkward and difficult against Slavia, but I have a good belief that we can come out and perform well again.”
I wanted to ask you about one of your former coaching colleagues, Lars Friis, who was working in the Czech League, in Sparta Prague - did you maybe try to contact him to get some information about Slavia?
Thomas: “Yeah, Lars is a good friend of mine. We also worked together in the past. Of course, it's confidential what I've spoken to Lars about before the game, but we keep in contact. This is a very important game for us against Slavia, so we are, of course, very well prepared with our own analysis, but also with every help we can get from good contacts or friends in the game.”
