Thomas Frank believes Tottenham Hotspur are making progress, albeit with small steps, as he expressed his delight at the arrival of the “unbelievable” Conor Gallagher during the January transfer window.
Frank again faced jeers from frustrated supporters after Tottenham’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, the club’s seventh loss in 13 matches across all competitions.
Despite the criticism, the Tottenham hierarchy appear to be backing Frank, a stance underlined this week by the signing of England international Conor Gallagher for a reported £34.7 million ($45.5 million).
On Thursday, Tottenham confirmed that Frank had appointed John Heitinga as assistant first-team coach, replacing Matt Wells, who left to take charge of Colorado Rapids.
Although Spurs are 14th in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s visit from West Ham, Frank said there were positive signs of progress despite the results.“I am very aware of how this football world works and I know we have not got the results we want, but I can see the small steps we are taking and the last six games have shown more positive and consistent performances,” Frank said.
The Danish coach pointed to the team’s resilience and improving mentality.
“In the second halves against Bournemouth and Aston Villa it would have been easy to fall apart, but the players stayed together and gave more, which shows a culture that is getting stronger,” he explained.
Frank added that momentum and daily work are gradually improving.
“In football, momentum can change quickly and I can see that in the culture, in training and in how the players are working,” he noted.
While satisfied with defensive progress, Frank admitted attacking improvements remain a priority.
“Defensively we look quite good and set pieces have improved, but offensively we need to be better and that is what we are working hard on,” he stressed.
Frank believes recent changes indicate the club is moving in the right direction.
“With everything we are doing, including signing Conor and bringing in John Heitinga, everything is going forward and now we need a top performance and a win on Saturday,” he concluded.
Gallagher expected to boost Spurs
Frank will hope Gallagher can provide a lift during a difficult week in which Rodrigo Bentancur was sidelined after hamstring surgery and Richarlison suffered a similar problem, leaving him unlikely to return before March.
Although Gallagher struggled for regular starts at Atlético Madrid, he recorded seven goals and nine assists in his final season at Chelsea.
“The way he finished his last season at Chelsea he was at times unplayable and that is the Conor Gallagher we are looking at, someone who can step straight into this team and help us immediately,” Frank said.