Manager showed tactical bravery in darkest hour and like Postecoglou may find respite outside Premier League
T
homas Frank was backed into a corner on every level, including team selection. The Tottenham manager had next-to-no options, only 11 established outfield players for the Champions League home game against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.
The expectation was for an either/or choice between Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie at left-back. But when the teamsheets dropped, it turned out Frank had picked them both and left Randal Kolo Muani on the bench. It was the latest low point for Kolo Muani, who has to be regretting his decision to join on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
So, it would surely be Spence on the left wing in a 4-2-3-1 system. Everything looked clear when Spurs warmed up on the pitch with a back four of Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero and Udogie; the quartet went through a heading drill close to halfway. The Dortmund analysts in the stands took note.
