In the 11th round of the Premier League, Tottenham drew 2-2 with Manchester United at home. Tottenham coach Frank attended the press conference.
Are you feeling complicated? Your team fights back hard, only to fall short in the end?
Frank: "Of course, I was full of emotions, but I took the positives from this game. That's what I believe in and what I believe in is the way to build a good team and keep adding to it. Overall, it was a good, good performance against Manchester United who are in great form. We talked a little bit about our... defense and attack The level of threat, against a confident United side with Cunha, Mbemo, Amade and Sheshko on the pitch, limited them to just five shots. This was another example of how it is not easy to create chances in the Premier League, even with all their key players.
"I was very happy with our response in the second half. We are playing at home, and of course we all want to win, so don’t talk too much about our poor home record and the like. I know we need to win to stop the talk. The way we turned it around and stayed competitive and continued to do the right things throughout the second half, I was really pleased with that. So close to victory. On any other day, we would have won the game. "
The fans booed one of your substitutions, but did it work?
Frank: "Yes, sometimes you just get lucky, but of course, every time I make a substitution decision, I have only one goal. That's getting the team to win, or get back on track, or try to hold on to the win. There is only one goal and that is to try to win the game. Ter did a good job, scored a great goal, was very involved, and overall I thought Harvey Simmons had a good game. This is positive, but you also need a little fresh energy. "
Did you hear the fans booing the substitution of Harvey Simmons?
Frank: "I just want to say that every decision I make has only one goal. That's making the team better. "
What are your specific requirements for Ter? Do you just want to change the running of the frontcourt?
Frank: "Goal. "
Have today's game considerations been affected by last season's Europa League final? Can you see how Manchester United has improved since then?
Frank: "I think I look at this game as an independent game that we face and go all out to win. That's the goal of the game. I talked about it before the game and it was clear they had improved this season. They seemed, how should I put it, more in sync. But I think especially offensively, they look threatening. That's why I actually think, I know we conceded two goals, but if you told me before the game they only had five shots on goal, I would have accepted that result. So we are generally satisfied. "
Do you expect Mbemo to start on the left?
Frank: "I think this is not the first time Amorim has made adjustments to the front trident position. I think Mbemo is a threat wherever he plays and he proved that again today. "
You said that your defense performed well, but you did not do a particularly good job defending the first goal. It seemed difficult to clear the ball, and until the end of the game, the threat created by your offensive players was not as good as expected. Does this mean that the team is still in the process of growing up?
Frank: "Well, I don't think I said that the defense 'performed well'. I guess what I'm saying is, if you only allow the other team five shots, then you're probably going to accept that result before the game. This is not the same as their two shots. Maybe the two shots on target were two situations that could have been handled better. Of course we will review and analyze the details, so you make sense. And then we're both facing teams that are trying to limit their opponents to a certain extent, and we always want to create more chances, but you can also look at it the other way around and, hey, we scored two goals even though we struggled to create chances. "
You made adjustments at halftime and then made more adjustments with 20 minutes left in the game, and the effect was obviously very significant. Are you still trying to find the right combination on the offensive end? It feels like you are still exploring the right combination.
Frank: "Yeah, I think that makes sense. We're looking to find the right balance up front and I think when we look back at this game, there were some positive moments on offense as well. I think one of the biggest chance changes we created was when Rissaarlison received a cross from Brennan Johnson, five or 10 minutes into the game.
"Sometimes it is the details that determine success or failure. If he had scored first instead of Mbemo, the situation would have been different and the game would have been a little more open, but we have been working hard to improve the coordination between the players, trying to improve, and trying to find a truly suitable combination. I think we are taking a small step in the right direction."
Was Muani's substitution due to physical reasons?
Frank: "He does feel a little unwell, but nothing major."
Romero was replaced with a few minutes left in the game...
Frank: "Yeah, he's just exhausted. He just recovered from the injury. He's fine."
So can he be ready for the national team?
Frank: "Yes."
Considering the goal you conceded at the end, how much of a blow was it to the team that he was replaced?
Frank: "Yes, but I think his position, anyway, he will not be close to the position where the ball was lost. It was a cross from the wing. He should have been in the central area, and the ball was passed to the back post, so it will not have any impact.. "
Odobel performed well today, what is your evaluation of him? Why do you feel that not starting him today was the right decision?
Frank: "We try to deploy around how to best attack the opponents in front of us, while also maintaining a certain fluidity of the game. But the two centre-forwards I wanted to play, Mouani and Risaarisson, were for crosses, which we thought was an area that could hit United. I think the first chance showed that perfectly, Rissaryson had a great opportunity, so that could have been a really good, perfect tactical plan for us. That's one of the reasons, and for different games we need different characteristics and types of players. "
What do you think of Odobel?
Frank: "Oh, sorry, and Odobel, yes, I'm sorry." I think he showed a positive side again. I feel like he's making progress, or stepping up and doing the right things. "