Thomas Frank
Team news?
Zanka and Pinnock are both out. Zanka is out for the rest of the season and Pinnock, hopefully a couple of weeks, I think United will be borderline – let’s see.
Antonio Conte described you as one of the managers of the season. What does that feel like?
Of course, it’s always nice. I know one human being, if they’re truly honest, they don’t like to get a little bit of praise so thank you, I can say, to Antonio. I think we’ve done well, I agree on that – we would like to do even more and I can give a little bit of praise back. I think Antonio is a fantastic manager and definitely in the latest 10 years, one of the most successful and very clear in his philosophy in how he wants to do things. Winning a lot of titles and a lot of games, so looking forward to facing him.
Have you noticed how he’s changed Tottenham since his arrival?
Simple things. I think the intensity of the game went up since he took over in the way that they press. He’s doing a classic counter with his back three and wing-backs, as it depends on the types he got like at Inter and the Italian national team. If he got three midfielders and two good strikers, then he likes that formation (the 3-5-2). If not, then he has Son and Kulusevski then he plays a 3-4-3 so the patterns are very clear and structured, but it’s easier said than done to close them down.
What lessons did you learn from the defeat at Tottenham in December?
I watched the game back of course, the last couple of days. The interesting thing, Tottenham won fair and square no doubt about that. I actually think in many ways, we played a fine game. Our organised defence, high pressure, low block – they almost created zero things. We concede on a set piece, which is impossible to concede tomorrow if we want to win, and we had a bad spell and that spell started with Tottenham. It was that period we conceded seven or eight set-piece goals in ten games, but we’ve been very good in not conceding set-pieces. The main thing they created from is transitions and we need to avoid that. We can’t have them running at us and not because we didn’t track back but it gives them too much space, so we take the big transition chances out, then we’re not far off a reasonable performance.
Spurs will be under intense pressure especially with Arsenal and Man Utd playing each other in the early kick-off, does that play into your hands?
I agree, there is much more pressure on Tottenham in their battle. I’m not saying this because of mind games, but I know you guys will write on Sunday if we manage to beat Tottenham, that it will be a catastrophe for them [Spurs]. I don’t think they’re not sleeping tonight, Conte and all the players, they are professionals and end up going to the game. They know what they are facing – a good Brentford team where they need to be at their absolute max to beat us and of course they can win the game but I also massively believe that if we perform, we can win.
Stopping Kane and Son
Kick them down! No, can’t do that – maybe once or twice and get a yellow card. Of course, everyone knows that Kane can dictate his passing and his crosses for Son is remarkable, but of course Kane in the box and his finishing. If you give him a chance, I think he’s one of the most, clinical is not the word, but I like to say quality finisher. Both feet, he’s so aware of how to pass into the net and if you give Son two things, space to run into then he is potentially the most deadlier finisher in the league.
