Thomas Frank reflected on the strength of set-pieces for Tottenham since the start of the season.
Showings have not been spectacular, but set plays have been a gamebreaker many times for the team this year. On the weekend, Micky van de Ven scored twice from corners in a 3-0 win over Everton, highlighting how physicality and dead ball routines have become prioritised in the Premier League.
“Andreas (Georgson, assistant coach/set pieces) is doing a top job. The players are doing a top job. They're on board. They are really committed to it. For me, I think every phase in the game, we need to be good at if we want to build a top team.
“But set-pieces, obviously, I think it's a third of all goals, something like that, is from set pieces. So, not to use time on it and super focus on details, do the right thing, construct a team so you can defend them, but definitely attack them.
“I think that's a major strength. I'm very happy with how we are at the moment with that.”
“My feeling is also, maybe the feeling was also a stat, that we have more goals this season from set pieces so far, definitely more long throws in general from a lot of teams. So, that's definitely a clear example of more focus on it. Every manager wants to compete. It's about finding the small margins.
“I think the success that we had at Brentford, maybe not as fancy because it was a smaller club, but also that Arsenal picked it up, I think Liverpool two years ago was extremely good as well.
“So, the top clubs also picked it up (and thought) probably need to do this if you want to be able to compete or raise the bar to be even better. So, I think that's probably the reason.
“You need to be good in all phases. In the first half, I think we were very good in building from the back. You also need to be in control of the ball in the middle of the pitch sometimes. It's all about what kind of strategy and style you have. A big part of it is definitely to be good at set pieces.”
