Tottenham’s New Focus: Defence First Under Thomas Frank

For many years, Tottenham Hotspur has been known for its fast, attacking football. Last season, under Ange Postecoglou, their main aim was to outscore opponents, even if it meant conceding goals. But this season, things look very different. With Thomas Frank as manager, Spurs have started to focus on something new — keeping the ball out of their own net.

Their recent 1-0 victory over Villarreal in the Champions League showed exactly how much the team has changed. It was not only their fourth clean sheet in five games this season but also a clear sign that Frank has made defence the priority.

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From Outscoring Rivals to Shutting Them Out

Last season, Spurs conceded too many goals early in the campaign. By this stage, they had only managed one clean sheet. Under Postecoglou, the philosophy was simple — attack, attack, and attack again. Fans enjoyed the excitement, but the defence was often left exposed.

This year, however, Thomas Frank has brought a different mentality. The players now talk about a “clean sheet mentality.” Midfielder Lucas Bergvall explained it clearly after the Villarreal match: “We talked a lot about clean sheet mentality this year because we conceded a lot last year. They [Villarreal] did not have a shot on target, so we did a really good job.”

How Spurs Beat Villarreal

The match against Villarreal was a good example of Tottenham’s new style. Early in the game, they were handed a big gift when Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior made a terrible mistake, allowing Spurs to score in just the fourth minute.

In the past, Tottenham might have chased more goals after that. But under Frank, they became cautious, focusing on protecting their lead.

Defender Micky van de Ven played a key role. He stopped most of Villarreal’s attacks and kept their strikers quiet. Even though the Spanish side had 10 attempts, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario did not have to make a single save. That shows just how strong Spurs’ defence was.

At the same time, Tottenham’s own attack was limited. They only managed one shot on target throughout the whole game. For the home fans at the stadium, it meant there was little excitement after the early goal.

Frank’s View on the Match

After the match, manager Thomas Frank admitted that while the defence was solid, the attack still has work to do. “We defended really well and gave little away throughout the game against a really good Villarreal side. Offensively we didn’t hit the highest level. There was definitely a spell in the second half where we decided let’s give it to the Villarreal guys and then we’ll sprint back, that was fun. It was a very even game that we just edged.”

Frank was happy with the defensive discipline but honest about the lack of attacking spark.

Defence Improving Compared to Last Season

The numbers clearly show Tottenham’s progress. This season, they have conceded just one goal so far, which came in a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth. By contrast, last season they had already let in five goals in their first five matches.

In the Premier League alone, Spurs have already kept three clean sheets. That puts them just two away from equalling their total for the whole of last season. It is a remarkable turnaround and shows that Frank’s strategy is working.

The Price of a Strong Defence

But there is another side to this story. While the defence looks solid, the attack seems to be struggling. The Villarreal game was the second time in three matches that Spurs had only managed one shot on target. For a club known for exciting, attacking football, that is a concern.

Frank himself admitted this needs improvement: “We have a very good foundation in terms of our defensive organisation and I think that’s good. But offensively, we need to get better. This is the Champions League against a good team, but still, we have to take steps forward in attack.”

This balance between defence and attack will be one of Frank’s biggest challenges as the season goes on.

What Players Say About the Change

The players themselves seem to believe in the new system. Micky van de Ven explained how the team feels more structured: “I think we are a difficult team to play against, for sure. Structure-wise we are standing really good and we all know what to do, so we’re a difficult team to beat.”

For many of the players, the change is refreshing. Instead of being too open at the back, they now feel safer, knowing everyone has a role to play in defence.

A Cautious but Winning Formula

For now, the formula seems to be working. Tottenham are winning games, keeping clean sheets, and showing signs of becoming a more balanced team. Fans may miss the excitement of Postecoglou’s high-risk, attacking football, but they will enjoy seeing their side harder to beat, especially in big competitions like the Champions League.

The 1-0 win over Villarreal might not have been thrilling, but it was professional. It showed maturity and discipline — two things Spurs have lacked in recent years.

The big question for Tottenham now is whether they can add attacking power to their defensive strength. The Champions League and Premier League will demand more goals if Spurs are to go far this season.

Thomas Frank has built a strong foundation, and the players seem committed to the new style. If the attack improves, Spurs could become one of the most balanced and dangerous teams in Europe.

For the moment, their focus is simple: defend as a unit, stay disciplined, and build confidence from clean sheets. Goals may not be flowing yet, but for Spurs, keeping the ball out of their own net is already paying off.