Sometimes, a single change can make all the difference. For Tottenham Hotspur, the arrival of new manager Thomas Frank appears to have been exactly that kind of transformative shift.
While the club achieved significant success last season by winning the UEFA Europa League under previous manager Ange Postecoglou, there was a sense that the team’s overall performances, particularly in the Premier League, were not as consistent or as convincing as they could have been.
Wins often felt difficult to secure, and the team’s defensive structure was frequently called into question.
This season, a new-found resilience has become the team’s defining characteristic. The most obvious evidence of this change is the remarkable defensive record the team has established.
A narrow 1-0 victory over Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League this week marked the team’s fourth clean sheet in just five matches across all competitions.
This is not a coincidence; it is the direct result of a clear tactical plan implemented by the new manager and successfully executed by the players on the pitch.
The team’s goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, has been at the heart of this defensive solidity. Speaking recently, he offered a fascinating insight into exactly what has changed under the new coaching regime.
He explained that the biggest improvement has been in the squad’s collective football intelligence their ability to read the game as it unfolds.
According to Vicario, the players have developed a much sharper understanding of the different phases of a match.
They now have a clearer sense of when to apply intense pressure high up the pitch and when to drop back, stay organized, and focus on protecting the penalty area. This strategic awareness has made them much harder to break down.
Vicario was also honest enough to admit that the performance against Villarreal was not perfect. He noted that the team allowed too many opportunities for the Spanish side to launch quick counter-attacks, something they will need to address.
However, he was quick to emphasize that the overall defensive effort was excellent and represents a standard the team must now maintain.
Beyond the tactical improvements, Vicario also highlighted a crucial psychological shift within the squad. Last season’s Europa League triumph did more than just add a trophy to the cabinet; it fundamentally changed the mentality of the players and the perception of the club.
For years, Tottenham had carried a reputation as a team that would “always get there but then didn’t win.” There was an underlying pressure and a weight of history that seemed to hold them back in the most critical moments. Winning a major European trophy finally lifted that weight from their shoulders.
Vicario described this feeling as being “unblocked.” The victory provided a sense of liberation and a new, confident belief in their own abilities.
The players are now moving forward with a clear awareness of their strengths and with private, ambitious goals that they are determined to achieve.
This blend of tactical discipline and renewed self-belief has made Tottenham a completely different proposition for opponents this season.
The most impressive demonstration of their growth was a victory over the reigning champions, Manchester City.
Frank’s well-organized and disciplined system completely nullified one of the most potent attacks in world football, a feat that would have been unimaginably difficult for the team last season.
Currently, the team boasts the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded just a single goal. While the season is still young, the foundations for a successful campaign have been firmly laid.
The challenge for Thomas Frank will be to manage his squad through the exhausting schedule ahead, but the early signs are overwhelmingly positive.
Tottenham Hotspur looks organized, confident, and finally ready to consistently compete at the very highest level.
