Spurs 3-0 Slavia Prague | Every word of Thomas Frank's post-match press conference

Thomas Frank spoke to the media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after our 3-0 win against Slavia Prague in MD6 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.

Here's what he had to say...

What can you single out as the most important thing tonight? 

Thomas: "I was very happy that we built on the momentum from the Brentford game. Both home, but in general, just in terms of performance I think there was more offensive, positive notes to take from the game as well - positive individual performances but also the team just gelling a little bit more and more together in a tricky game against an opponent that is not easy to play against. Slavia Prague, big respect for them. The man-man physical pressure, but we got the job done and got three points so that was good."

We saw Cristian Romero being quite decisive with the penalties and who would take them. Is that something you would encourage your leader to sort out? 

Thomas: "Yeah, but it's clearly decided before. So, that was no problem. It was exactly how it should be."

So he's just enforcing what you want?

Thomas: "Yeah, yeah. There was a little bit of a banter with Xavi and I don't think it was more that."

One slight negative was Micky van de Ven's suspension and you looked quite frustrated with that?

Thomas: "Yeah which I understand of course. That was the minor negative thing here. Yeah, it is what it is."

Why did you decide to bring Tel into the squad for this match rather than previously when you had the option?

Thomas: "Because, as I understand it, it's something with 60 days. An injured player needs to be injured for 60 days, relatively complicated, so it's not like I could have done it three games ago. Plus, it's also depending on how long will Dom be out and so on. So, that's why there was an opening now, we could do it and we can change it again, so that was good."

Has there been a setback with Dom? 

Thomas: "No. It was just an opportunity to get Tel in, which is nice to have that opportunity. We can change back if we want to do that."

Do you expect Dom to be back before the last league phase match against Eintracht Frankfurt in January?

Thomas: "I think I've said before that as soon as he's ready and available, then I will say when he's ready."

Wilson Odobert started well, but did he struggle a little as it went on?

Thomas: "Wilson is a young player. He no doubt learned a lot from this game today. I agree, I think it was a great action after one minute or 30 seconds where he got the better of his opponent. In the second half he also got into a very good chance, good finish, great save from their keeper. There was also definitely a situation, as you said, where he needed to protect the ball better and handle the aggressive pressure."

With so many talented players that you have out at your disposal, opportunities are rare and need to be taken?

Thomas: "I would say that it's every day in training, every day, every game they play. If it's 10 minutes, 15 minutes or 75 minutes, of course it's all about putting good performances in."

Can you talk a bit about Xavi's performance?

Thomas: "I think he built on the good game on Saturday, produced again, I would say. Good link-up play, nice turns in the middle of the pitch, where he also got that acceleration to go past the player and open up the spaces. I also like his work ethic. For example, there was a great recovery run in 90-plus minutes where he just got all the way back, which is crucial for me, for us, for everyone, to work very hard. So, I like his overall performance."

Did Heung-Min Son come and speak to the boys before the game?

Thomas: "Yeah, it was good to see him. I mainly saw him straight after the game here. I'm happy that the reception, a well-deserved reception he got, a Tottenham legend, a true Tottenham legend, coming back home. I was very happy, it was good to see him. He seems happy and settled well in."

How happy are you with the way, in particular in recent weeks, Xavi and Mo Kudus seem to be moving through the gears with their form at the moment?

Thomas: "Yeah, I agree. I think actually Mo started the season quite well. Then he had a dip, and now I think the last recent three performances or something like that, it seems we had that freshness, energy, acceleration, decisiveness in his actions. Xavi's two performances have been positive. That is so important, what I call form, sharpness, getting more in sync with each other, the team. I think all that is important."

In the first half, there were a few moments where Prague looked like they might be threatening in transition, is this just part and parcel of a team learning to play this way?

Thomas: "The way Prague play, they will always be a threat on transition. In any game, there are transitions you need to close down. I liked a lot from this performance, but it's also a performance that I think we can do much better in the future, be even more in control in elements of the game. I think with all due respect to the crazy programme we've had, as I said, we had those four games in 10 days, and then we just only had three days, Brentford, high numbers, and then to produce today and get over the line, that's the positive I take away from here. Then there are things I'm learning constantly about the squad."

Spurs are now in quite a strong position, thinking about potentially automatic qualification for the knockouts, how much are you considering that now with two games to go, one at home, one away? 

Thomas: "Of course, first and foremost, I'm very happy for the win today, because that means more or less we're in a very strong position to definitely be in the play-offs, you could say, to progress. Those two games so far ahead. I'm just happy that we've got four days now before we face Nottingham, and that's everything I focus on."

How can you turn this form into two more wins against Forest and Liverpool?

Thomas: "Yeah, of course, we can build that momentum. I think we played a good game overall against Newcastle. I think we played two good home games. I think the extremely positive thing about this season is that we've been so good away from home, which I think is incredible. To be very good away from home, that's a huge skill set, so hopefully we can build on that. As a team and a manager, we respect a lot who we face on Sunday, but right now it's everything about recovery, and then we'll make sure we have a good plan for Sunday afterwards."