Tottenham Hotspur rounded off a promising week with another confident Champions League victory, easing past Slavia Praha without much stress. The performance showed how far Spurs have come in recent games, especially with their improved sharpness and organisation.
But even on a comfortable night, not every player delivered the level Thomas Frank hoped to see, and the manager made that clear when reflecting on the match.
Wilson Odobert was one of the few who struggled to find rhythm. He showed glimpses of his talent, especially with one bright moment inside the first minute when he beat his man and burst forward, but those flashes didn’t last long enough to shape the rest of his performance.
Frank didn’t hide the fact that the young winger has plenty to learn. He explained that Odobert had moments where he made good decisions, including a strong chance in the second half that forced a fine save, but he also pointed out the situations where the player simply needed to be stronger on the ball.
Frank highlighted that Slavia applied heavy pressure and said Odobert must learn how to protect possession better and handle the physical side of the game. Even so, he sounded confident that the match would be a valuable lesson for such a young player.
While Odobert struggled to impose himself, Xavi Simons continued his impressive rise, delivering another performance full of confidence and quality. Simons now has two goals in two matches, and his influence is starting to feel undeniable.
His arrival in the summer came with big expectations and a substantial investment from the club, and after a difficult run earlier in the season, he is now showing exactly why Spurs were willing to make that commitment.
Frank praised Simons for building on his strong showing from the weekend. He spoke about the midfielder’s ability to link play, turn quickly in midfield and burst away from challenges to create space.
Those small details, the quick touches and changes of direction, are what make Simons such a clever player. But Frank also highlighted something beyond the technical brilliance the work rate. He pointed to a moment late in stoppage time when Simons sprinted the entire length of the pitch to help out defensively.
For Frank, that kind of commitment is essential, not just for the system but for the culture he wants to build. He made it clear that Simons’ effort and attitude impressed him just as much as his goal.
The manager was also asked about the growing partnership and energy that Simons and Mohammed Kudus have brought to the team recently. Frank acknowledged that Kudus started the season well before experiencing a dip in form, but he now looks refreshed and dangerous again.
In his last few matches, Kudus has played with more sharpness, aggression and decisiveness. Simons has followed suit, and Frank believes their recent form comes from both players finding rhythm and adjusting to the pace of the team. He called it “form” and “sharpness” the small but important ingredients that help attackers connect better and play with true confidence.
There were very few negatives in Tottenham’s overall display, but the one disappointing moment came when Micky van de Ven picked up a yellow card that rules him out of the next match against Borussia Dortmund.
Frank admitted that the caution was frustrating but also understandable in the flow of the game. Missing Van de Ven is not ideal, especially given his importance in defence, but he will only serve a one-game suspension and is expected to return for the final league phase match against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Overall, the win over Slavia Praha felt like another step in the right direction for Tottenham. The team looked faster, more dynamic and more confident than they did earlier in the campaign.
Simons and Kudus continue to show they can be decisive, while younger players like Odobert are being pushed to grow into their roles. Frank’s message was clear: the team is developing, the energy is rising, and the standards must stay high. And if Spurs continue on this path, their growing momentum could become something much stronger in the weeks ahead.
