Thomas Frank spoke to the media at Hotspur Way on Friday afternoon, ahead of our Premier League trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Saturday (12.30pm).
Here's what he had to say...
Can you give us the latest team news - Romero, Solanke, Kolo Muani?
Thomas: "Romero is fit and available and he will start tomorrow, so that's promising news. There was contact to the foot and medical did a good job to get him turned around, he's trained and ready for tomorrow. As I said in Bodo, the time frame we will know more when we come back from internationals. Kolo Muani has been on the pitch the last two days, so that's very positive."
Good news this morning that Rodrigo Bentancur has signed a new contract - how happy have you been with him since you've been here?
Thomas: "First and foremost, I think it's fantastic news that the club have managed to first extend Romero's contract, but also now Rodri Bentancur's contract. That's a big sign that both of them believe in the project and the future here and hopefully the fantastic journey we are going to be on together. That's a big signal. It would be the easiest thing in the world for Rodri to run down his contract and do something different. So, that's a fantastic signal to the fans, to everyone. Of course, I'm extremely happy that we have managed to sign him. I think he's been a top player. No, he is a top player. He's been a top player for Tottenham. I also think we can get even more out of him and there's an even higher level in him."
Are there individual reasons for the players who have been selected for the leadership group? Bentancur is also a leader and Pedro Porro recently captained the team against Doncaster...
Thomas: "First and foremost, there is quite a few with a leadership potential in them and the more we can have that want to speak up and take responsibility for the bigger picture, the better. That's what I think creates the best teams. I agree with Rodri and Pedro, the two of them really want to take a lot of responsibility, and I think they do very well, but I also think this group, how can you say, also covers the squad to make sure we get around to everyone, make sure that all the groups - even though we're one big group - are touched and in sync. There are lots of factors."
When will you get the chance to speak to Vinai, Johan and the board in terms of looking ahead even to January, because it goes so quickly...
Thomas: "Yes, to be fair, it goes quickly. Everyone is well organised, they will probably a week after the window shut, or two weeks maximum, they will start preparing the next following windows. So, Vinai and Johan are on top of that, preparing that and then we will have a meeting, relatively soon, where we will start to talk about it and progress the plan from there."
Can I ask you about the recent record of coming back in games? Micky van de Ven said it's a sign of resilience in the squad. Also, how wary are you of it not becoming a pattern?
Thomas: "We can start tomorrow and try to get up 1-0 up first! It's football, and in football there is a relatively big risk that the opponents will score and you need to manage to overcome that. If you see the amount of games different teams are playing, I don't know what the percentage is of how many times you get 1-0 down compared to 1-0 up, but you definitely need to have the ability to come back from setbacks. The mentality and the foundation we are building, I think it's very important that you are able to do that. I'm very pleased we've managed to do it three times in a row, because it's a big thing. Of course, it would be nice just to run over teams and win 3-0 easy, but very few teams do that. This is the Premier League, the most competitive league in the world. It's impossible. Everyone is beating each other, left, right and centre, more or less, except maybe two or three teams. Then we're playing Champions League, which is the best club competition in the world. So, we need to have that ability, and keep building on it. Of course, it's not that we're not working on trying to get in front, which we also have done."
How much are you working on trying to improve chances created on the left, because the right side is doing well at the moment...
Thomas: "I want it balanced. I want to think about that, because if they're creating chances, then the other side are finishing it. So, that's not too bad, if you just look at the stats. I also think it's fair to say that Mo and Pedro, let's say that relationship is really well and it seems like there's a little bit of consistency they've found each other. So that's good. There's probably been a little bit more with two different left backs, both Djed and Destiny, and different wingers. So, how can we get a little bit more of that consistency in there? That links a little bit to the little bit more in sync and flow we've tried to work on the final third, but I'm relatively positive around that. Wilson is showing promising signs. Xavi is showing promising signs. Richy has scored three goals and been fit the whole period. Lucas is showing promising signs."
So, not too much of a concern for you?
Thomas: "No, not for now."
Leeds haven't lost at home in the league for more than a year - Spurs have the best away record in the Premier League this season. Where do you think this game could be won and lost?
Thomas: "First and foremost Leeds. They have done very well since they got promoted. Daniel Farque and his staff have done well. I've big respect for Daniel. I've known him for many years, he's a good colleague and friend in the game. We battled against each other quite a few times in the Championship and in the Premier League. I'm so happy that he's doing well and that they got a good start. Elland Road, I always admire as one of the best stadiums to go to, because the atmosphere is fantastic. It's a game we're looking forward to. I'm very aware that they haven't lost once in more than a year so, clearly, and we know that because of their fans and their home ground, they've been very good. I think the way they started the Premier League gives them a lot of confidence. They defend extremely well. They give very little away in open play. So, we need to really be aware of that and really know that this is a game that can be 90 minutes back and forth. Small setbacks you need to overcome, but we're ready for it, we ;ook forward to it and we'll do what we can to go for three points."
Will Randal Kolo Muani be able to play a part tomorrow and how far is Kota Takai away from being available?
Thomas: "Kolo Muani will not be available. He's not in the squad tomorrow. Kota is better and better. He's trained fully with the team for 10 days, a little bit more than that, so that's promising, definitely."
You said Rodri can still improve - what areas are you looking at?
Thomas: "One thing I've seen... I'm very happy with him as a player and as a character and I think when he plays at his best level, he's at a top level as a midfielder here in the Premier League. I need to see a little bit more consistency there and I want him to be a little more - and I've told him myself, so I'm not saying anything I haven't told him - I want him to be a little bit more dictating the game, getting a little bit more on the ball when it's tough. He's so good on the ball, he's so composed, he's so good to get the ball in tight areas and get out of situations and that I'd like to see a little bit more. That's the first bit. Then I agree, I think he can easily add goals to his game. But the more we can control that middle of the pitch with him, the better."
Archie Gray is heading back to Leeds this weekend - how much do you think he's developed over the last 18 months since he left Leeds?
Thomas: "I didn't follow him with laser focus because he was in another club last year, but he played a lot of Premier League minutes, which is always good for development. No matter what, if you play right-back, centre-back or midfielder - so many minutes, so many experiences, some tough moments as well. And it's the tough moments that develop all of us, we know that. That I like, I like what I've seen from him pre-season. I really, really like him as a player and sometimes you just need to keep doing what he's doing. He's trained well, especially last month, probably. I just see signs of good bits in training. He came on against Bodo, part of making a difference. I think he did good against Doncaster, learned a lot, they played a way where they took the eight out to man mark, so it was a little bit more difficult to shine, if that makes sense. I like everything about him."
