Frank capitalises on Postecoglou’s parting gift to put Spurs in early title race

Thomas Frank has made Tottenham hard to beat – and it’s left them on the coat-tails of bitter rivals Arsenal as the season enters its second international break

Whisper it, but Tottenham supporters have a certain Ange Postecoglou to thank for their team being in the thick of an early title race.

That’s because it was Big Ange who handed Spurs a place in the Champions League as his parting gift. Winning the Europa League booked Tottenham a seat at the top table of club football.

And allowed new manager Thomas Frank to sign some players of genuine class, in the shape of Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha. It was the quality and adventure of Simons and Kudus which helped Tottenham secure an impressive win at Elland Road.

Kudus scored his first goal following his £55m move from West Ham, and is starting to live up to all the expectation.

READ MORE: Mohammed Kudus stars as Tottenham end Leeds’ year-long unbeaten home recordREAD MORE: Daniel Levy defends his ‘bold’ Tottenham legacy and reveals what Thomas Frank must achieve

But the triumph, which leaves Tottenham third in the table and just two points adrift of leaders – and bitter rivals Arsenal – owed more to character than creativity.

No-one has more expectation on their shoulders than Frank. He arrived at Tottenham with a reputation for being one of the brightest managers in the business.

Throw in the fact he succeeded someone who ended the club’s long wait for silverware, and the pressure to take Tottenham to another level is enormous.

But just two months into the new season, and Frank appears to have rid his team of that soft underbelly. The one which saw them roll over and have their tummies tickled, with 22 league defeats last season.

The regular combination of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero at centre back has given Tottenham some backbone again.

A spine Frank’s men needed as Leeds pushed for an equaliser towards the end of an enjoyable clash at Elland Road. But Tottenham held firm, to take three points instead of one back down to London, having become the first team to win at Leeds for more than 12 months.

Tottenham have spent too long putting style before substance. Tottenham conceded just one goal in their opening five games this season, and have lost once in all competitions.

Frank has proved a great Dane so far. He appreciates how football should be played, and built an attractive side at Brentford.

But he also knows that while forwards win matches, defences win big titles. It’s way too soon to believe Tottenham could do the unthinkable and go on and win the Premier League this season.

But watching them go head-to-head with Arsenal would sure be fun.

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