After Tottenham lost 1-2 to Villa at home, Tottenham head coach Frank attended the post-match press conference. He analyzed the game, explained the reasons for the delay in key substitutions, and updated captain Romero's injury. How do you evalu...
After Tottenham lost 1-2 to Villa at home, Tottenham head coach Frank attended the post-match press conference. He analyzed the game, explained the reasons for the delay in key substitutions, and updated captain Romero's injury.
How do you evaluate today's game?
To be honest, I thought the game went exactly as I expected. It was a very even game against a very good Villa side, Emery organized them well and I thought we did pretty well ourselves. What we did really well was completely neutralize Villa, a team that has been very good over the past few seasons.
I think we dominated in some good periods, started with high intensity, were very aggressive, and did a good job of pressing high up the pitch. Especially in the first half, we played some very good periods and had four or five good chances on the counterattack.
We also created some good opportunities in the second half and could have taken a 2-0 lead, but the ball was disallowed and there was Wilson's chance. Defensively, I thought we performed well. We only allowed about eight shots and the expected goals were so, so low that Vicario didn't even have to make a save.
We have done this, then you have done well. But we conceded two goals, both outside the penalty area and when we had a lot of players behind the ball. Rodgers scored a very high quality shot. So in those moments when it was almost no chance or very small, they showed a higher quality than us.
Tottenham have been very efficient at set pieces this season. Do you want the team to do more in open play?
Yes, I think that's fair to say. I thought Villa defended well and we know they usually do well. This is something we are working very hard to improve. I think the most disappointing thing, and something I hope to improve better, is those four or five really good transition opportunities where we were in a good position and could have done more. I thought we played a good game, albeit not at a top level, partly because we could have done a little more offensively.
Romero was forced to miss this game. What happened?
Slight problem, nothing serious.
The team scored 10 points away from home, but only scored 4 points at home. Can you explain why you can't win at home?
I wish I could. Maybe, I don't think it's that simple. I think the key is looking at performance. I thought we performed well against Burnley and we performed well today. We had a really good first half against Wolves and then we had a bad game against Bournemouth. So that might be the reason. I think today's game should have been a draw, a clear draw. We could have easily won the game instead of Villa and it would have been a completely different narrative.
Before conceding the second goal, Berivar and Kolo Muani had been waiting on the sidelines for a long time. Why did it take so long to let them play?
While they were waiting, yes, the key detail was that there was a set piece. We don’t want to put them on the field defending set pieces. This is usually a cardinal rule as a coach. So unfortunately, I think it was maybe one or two (set pieces) and then the clock definitely stretched and then they scored. So I think that's why it seemed like a long wait. But I would have loved to have played them at 1-1, I think that could have made a difference.
What do you think of the interaction between fans and players today?
I think both sides did a good job. I think the fans are great and they try to help in any way they can. And we looked exciting in some moments, but we could have been a little better in other moments. Of course, we all hope for a 3-0 win, the players are in great shape and everything looks great. But that's not the case. The game looked pretty good though. Unfortunately, we lost the game 1-2 because of two bad moments.
Do you expect Romero to be in time for the game against Monaco?
I don't know. He may or may not be able to do it. I just don't know. To be honest, my only focus now is to go into the locker room and talk to the players and prepare for the questions Anthony (the questioner) may ask. I won't worry about the players until tomorrow.
Has Harvey Simmons not fully entered the state yet?
I think we are 11 people defending together and 11 people attacking together. I think it's a team-wide problem. I liked Xavi's personality today, especially in the first half. I think he wants to get the ball and create chances. I thought he was very aggressive in the press. I thought it was a good match. I think I also need to remember that when we judge players, they are coming to a new club, a new country. I know it's part of football. We use a very small sample of games to judge them. I have no doubt he will be good for us. Today's game is an above average game.
