One crucial aspect of a new coach overseeing the regime at Tottenham next season is the likelihood that our strikers will become more of a focal point.
At its best, and we are talking about a little more than ten games across two seasons, Ange Postecoglou’s system was all about inclusivity, to a point whereby it was frequently difficult to reason why so much money had been spent on Richarlison or Dominic Solanke.
Neither has provided a decent recent on the investment made.
Solanke, with an array of mixed talent around him at Bournemouth, produced more goals than he has at Tottenham. It is always a tell-tale sign at Spurs that the excuses start to come out when a player isn’t delivering what they were hired to do.
Excusing the player’s shortfalls
With goalkeepers, it’s usually that he’s a great shot stopper (meaning he concedes freely when he doesn’t stop a shot). With strikers, it’s usually some toffee about the sterling work he does off the ball (meaning he can’t do what he’s been paid to and score).
View From The Lane podcast
Jay Harris, previously the Brentford correspondent who is now full-time on Spurs for The Athletic, said the following on the View From The Lane podcast.
“I think Solanke will excel under Thomas Frank, and I have a suspicion he tells Solanke to be more selfish. I think he’ll tell Solanke to concentrate on getting into the six-yard box a lot more. I remember he did something very similar with Ivan Toney.
I interviewed Toney once, and he said that there were times when he was so concentrated on taking the ball into the box, Frank told him:
“‘Don’t bother with that. This team is going to be set up to provide for you,’ and I can see him doing something similar with Solanke.”
Ivan Toney magic at Tottenham
When it comes to how Frank will make a meaningful difference at Spurs, we will be wanting to provide a tactical revolution, which is something, albeit modestly, he was able to create at Brentford.
If Frank can put in place a system whereby Solanke, in particular, can be fed continuous opportunities to finish, the aspirations around the boy could finally be realised. Could Solanke be our very own Ivan Toney?
Tottenham need their strikers to strike – the clue is in the name.
Finishing 17th is not acceptable, under any circumstances.
