Tottenham Hotspur showcased a promising path forward this season, particularly through set-piece prowess, as they secured a commanding 3-0 away victory against West Ham United on Saturday. This strategy appears crucial, especially given their challenges in open play. The breakthrough arrived in the second half from a corner kick, expertly delivered by new recruit Xavi Simons to Pape Sarr, a scenario manager Thomas Frank undoubtedly envisioned. Although Cristian Romero saw a goal from a dead-ball situation disallowed for a foul, the constant threat from Simons and Mohammed Kudus`s deliveries posed significant danger throughout the match.
While Lucas Bergvall`s header for Tottenham`s second goal might not be officially classified as a set-piece, its origin — a precisely placed long ball from Romero that culminated in Bergvall outmaneuvering West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen — highlighted the meticulously rehearsed strategies Frank is instilling in the team.
In stark contrast to the previous season, where Tottenham managed a mere 10 set-piece goals in the Premier League (placing them in the bottom third) and conceded 13, Frank`s influence is evident in a dramatic turnaround. Despite the season being in its infancy, Spurs have yet to concede a single goal from a set-piece, while netting two themselves in just four matches. Though they haven`t quite reached the “Set Piece FC” status of rivals Arsenal, who boast five such goals, this significant improvement signals a promising trajectory.
The squad remains a developing entity, particularly as they adapt to playing without key figures like Heung-min Son, who transferred to Los Angeles FC, and the creative flair of midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. This context underscores the vital importance of new arrivals, Simons and Kudus. Despite a tumultuous transfer window that saw them miss out on targets such as Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, Tottenham ultimately conducted a successful window, with early signs indicating its positive impact.
Integrating these new talents, particularly in possession-based play, will require patience. However, one certainty is that Tottenham will not replicate their 17th-place league finish. Following their Europa League triumph and the departure of Ange Postecoglou, expectations are considerably elevated for Spurs` Champions League return. The initial draw for Frank`s side has instilled confidence, further boosted by their promising early performances.
Upcoming Champions League Schedule for Tottenham
Here is their Champions League fixture list:
- Villarreal (home)
- Bodo/Glimt (away)
- Monaco (away)
- Copenhagen (home)
- Paris Saint-Germain (away)
- Slavia Praha (home)
- Borussia Dortmund (home)
- Eintracht Frankfurt (away)
Enhanced defensive solidity will be crucial for Tottenham to begin their Champions League campaign strongly, especially ahead of a challenging away match against Paris Saint-Germain. This also affords Frank valuable time to identify his optimal starting XI. When they next encounter the Parisian giants, Spurs will undoubtedly aim to emulate the dominant first half of the UEFA Super Cup, where Micky van de Ven put them ahead, rather than the second half, which saw them squander a two-goal advantage.
That Super Cup encounter highlighted Frank`s potential to navigate Tottenham through multiple competitions successfully. Now, the challenge is to synthesize all elements to propel the club to its next stage of development. While set-piece proficiency will undoubtedly contribute, the continued synergy between Kudus and Simons could transform this team into a genuine surprise package, not just reaching the Champions League Round of 16, but also securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.
