For 45 minutes, Tottenham were watchable.
Yes, you read that correctly. Thomas Frank released the handbrake ever so slightly. For the first time in months, Spurs were somewhat enjoyable. They attacked with purpose. They stretched the play. The north London side looked as though they might win their first home game of 2026.
In this article, we’ll cover:
It was a far cry from the last few gameweeks. Of late, Spurs have made watching paint dry incredibly appealing. Their New Year’s Day borefest at Brentford a case in point. ‘New Year, New Me? Don’t count on it’ Frank probably thought ahead of the trip to his old stomping ground. And supporters voiced their displeasure at full time at the Gtech last week.
Frank was roundly booed by the travelling support in west London. When you lose the away fans, good luck winning them back. Yet the Dane looked to taken some of the criticism on board on Sunday. Finally, fans had something to get behind.
The former Bees boss gave a glimpse as what could be for Spurs. It’s not the first time he’s done so. Against PSG, Burnley and Manchester City, Frank showed tactical flexibility. There was in-game tinkering and relevant changes. It seemed as though Spurs had found the right man to build on the Europa League success. It proved to be a false dawn.
First half vs Sunderland was a huge improvement
There is absolutely no excitement to Spurs anymore… the opening 45 minutes against Sunderland, aside. Yes, the bar really is that low. Disappointingly, Frank reverted to type for the second half. His side sat back and invited pressure on the defence. The surprise wasn’t that Brian Brobbey bagged late equaliser. Rather, the shock was that it took until the 80th minute for Sunderland to score.
Spurs have now won two of their last 11 league matches. In a year that is five days old, and has seen both Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim relieved of his duties, it’s surely only a matter of time before Frank is shown the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium exit. Yet, there was one positive – if we can call it that – from Sunday’s staletmate.
Ben Davies came in for his first league start of the season at the weekend. While the Welshman has his critics, Davies is a consistently solid defensive option for Spurs. Crucially, though, is that Spurs finally had the requisite balance at the back. There was a left-footer at left-back. A right-footer at right-back. ‘Perfectly balanced, as all things should be’. That’s not a dig at Djed Spence, who has often been shoehorned into left-back this season.
Natural left-back benefitted Spurs
As a right-footer, the England international has a knack for slowing attacks by a crucial second when he does get forward. With the preference to get the ball onto his right, this grants opponents an extra second or two to set up defensively. Yet with Davies at left-back on Sunday, Spurs suddenly had a left-footer to overlap the left winger, on this occasion Mathys Tel. There was a left-back whose preference was to go on the outside rather than come infield.
Davies hardly pulled up any trees with his outing. He only attempted two crosses and created just one goalscoring chance to go with his goal. However, Spurs showed a little more willingness to stretch the play. Davies’ desire to overlap rather than underlap dragged markers out of position. There was a little more space in the final that Spurs sought to capitalise upon, especially in the first half.
What Davies’ inclusion on Sunday highlighted, though, was the benefit that comes with playing a full-back on their natural side. To Frank’s credit, he’s been working with what is at his disposal. Both Davies and first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie have been restricted to just seven league starts between them this season due to injury.
A lack of consistency down the left has hurt a Spurs side that does favour to attack down the flanks. Only 25% of their attacks have come through the middle, the fourth lowest such proportion in the Premier League. A failure to be able to call upon Davies or Udogie frequently this season has hurt Spurs.
January links with Souza a step in the right direction
And while Spurs have other problem positions – notably the left flank and central midfield – they have been linked with a new left-back in January. Santos teenager Souza is a rumoured target. Reports suggest that Spurs have seen £8m bid for the 19-year-old rejected by the Brazilian club, who view Souza as one of the brightest talents to come through their famed academy in recent years.
Compared to the legendary Marcelo for his offensive output, Spurs could utilise the left-footed defender as an attacking outlet. There are weaknesses to Souza’s game, and he doesn’t seem ready for European football just yet.
Saying that, that Spurs have identified a need for a left-footed left-back is a step in the right direction. The opening 45 minutes against Sunderland highlighted the importance of balance across the backline. Udogie’s return to fitness can’t come soon enough as Frank looks to rebuild bridges with supporters.
With a game against winless Bournemouth looming, Frank needs to resist the urge to throw Spence back into the fold at left-back. It’ll certainly minimise the chances of Dr. Tottenham making a house-call on the south coast.
