Frank-tics vs. Ange-ball: a tactical comparison

After the “failed” experiment that was Ange-ball, Tottenham Hotspur turned their eyes to doubtlessly a safer pair of palms within the type of Thomas Frank. Critics of the change may say Spurs have betrayed their attacking roots for one thing extra conservative; proponents would maybe declare the appointment a shrewd one, with the Danish supervisor’s tactical nous offering avenues to maximise Spurs’ squad and construct on the foundations of what has come earlier than.

The reality lies someplace within the center. Frank’s popularity as an adaptable, inventive supervisor precedes him, and that makes it tough to foretell how he’ll deploy his Spurs facet; nevertheless, as Frank likes to say himself, he operates on a basis of “ideas”: methods of enjoying that permeate his groups no matter a particular formation or construction.

With that in thoughts, we’re going to the touch on a couple of of these ideas, how they could be expressed on the pitch by Spurs, and the way they examine to what we noticed below Ange Postecoglou. To provide us some guardrails, we’re going to focus extra on a comparability with true Ange-ball – the very aggressive system we noticed in Postecoglou’s first season, and the primary half of final; versus the extra defensive (and fewer cohesive) 4-4-1-1 pushed largely by accidents and a cup run (and win!).

Three vs. 4 on the again?

Although many are postulating that we may see Spurs return to a again three formation below Thomas Frank, Frank’s historical past suggests that can doubtless not be the case. Traditionally, Frank has largely most well-liked a again 4, solely enjoying a again three when he feels his facet might be on the again foot. Brentford’s profitable Championship promotion marketing campaign in 2020/21 noticed in depth use of a again 4, earlier than switching to a again three in Brentford’s inaugural Premier League look to make sure security within the prime flight. Since then, Frank has used the again 4 an increasing number of, counting on a again three largely towards sides he perceives as stronger, with Brentford lining up in some variant of 4 on the again in 37 of their 43 fixtures in 2024/25.

As Spurs are one of many “Sky Six”, I believe Frank would take into account his staff to have the higher hand in most matchups, and as such a again 4 would be the doubtless setup. That is the place we begin seeing some similarities between Frank and Ange. Frank final season tended to make use of a 4-2-3-1, barely totally different to Ange’s 4-3-3 in that the Dane utilized a double pivot in buildup versus a single #6; nevertheless, Frank’s #10 (usually Mikel Darmsgaard) routinely dropped deep to assist progress the ball in a fashion not too dissimilar to James Maddison in Ange-ball, and out of possession each coaches made use of two banks of 4 to defend.

Deep buildup

The similarities proceed with each coaches preferring to construct from deep. Although Frank has a popularity for extra direct soccer, Brentford had been really among the many prime sides final season for touches of their defensive third and touches in their very own penalty space, not afraid to knock it round whereas probing for a gap. The truth that the gamers are used to passing the ball round deep because of Ange-ball ought to enable them to adapt to Frank’s ways rapidly.

The place the ways differ is when it comes to the form and the way the perimeters use the buildup to create openings. We’re all conversant in that hexagonal form that was one thing of a Postecoglou calling card: inverted fullbacks, a single pivot, and two superior midfielders, with wingers excessive and large. As referenced above, Frank’s ways are considerably extra conventional, with fullbacks in basic positions, a double pivot, and a free roaming #10:

The quirk of Frank-tics (sure, I’m calling it that now) is the width of the middle backs. This ends in a number of passing channels for the goalkeeper, with each midfielders, heart backs, and fullbacks potential choices, with the #10 generally additionally out there on account of his motion. Until the opposition is extraordinarily aggressive with their press, this implies Frank’s sides can play out calmly and with out nice threat – with Frank unafraid of his sides sending it lengthy when passing lanes don’t open up.

It’s that invitation to press that once more brings to thoughts Ange-ball; however once more, there’s variations. As soon as Spurs pulled groups off form, they might prioritize enjoying in between the strains below Ange, rapidly however methodically, to then additional pull the protection off form and isolate attackers towards defenders, particularly in large areas. Frank’s sides, however, are far more direct. As soon as they determine a chance, they go ahead instantly, with both a fast one-two, or perhaps a lengthy ball in behind for the forwards. As an alternative of area between the strains, it’s area in behind that Frank targets.

Assault vs. protection

One common critique of Ange-ball was how aggressive the Australian was in committing gamers ahead. Postecoglou would typically have each fullbacks attacking the field, leading to situations seen a handful of occasions the place one fullback would cross throughout the face of objective for the opposite to attain. Sometimes, an alternate situation may see each attacking midfielders push into the field (through which case, one of many fullbacks may sit deeper in cowl). This usually meant an attacking form through which six gamers had been dedicated to the assault, with 4 protecting in protection:

This 4-6 setup typically labored properly for Spurs’ assault, with sheer drive of numbers generally overwhelming defenses; but it surely typically left Spurs uncovered on the counter. Spurs are very fortunate to have two extraordinarily good heart backs: one an elite and aggressive defender within the form of Cristian Romero, and the opposite an athletic freak within the type of Micky van de Ven, and each did an especially good job of protecting on this form, which was no imply feat. Sadly, when the starters had been unavailable the cracks began to point out. This construction additionally heaped strain on the #6, with that participant each required to cowl large quantities of floor and show extraordinarily good decision-making, with a single second or alternative generally the distinction between Spurs being again on the entrance foot or an opposing attacker by means of on objective.

Thomas Frank, however, constantly units up with a 5-5 within the attacking part, and isn’t afraid to make use of extra of an asymmetrical construction. He’ll typically hold considered one of his fullbacks a bit deeper, and his #8 has a key position – protecting for his fullback on the opposite facet attacking the field (typically in an underlapping vogue just like Ange-ball) however not being afraid to press ahead, both to help the assault or break up a counter. The operating required on this position may go well with any person like Pape Matar Sarr fairly properly.

This implies much less is required of each the middle backs and the #6: the #6 will be extra of a protect, shuttling attackers into much less harmful areas, and in a position to double up with the defenders with out worrying about attackers operating free in behind with that further cowl offering an additional stage of security.

Crosses or cutbacks?

Ange Postecoglou wasn’t an enormous fan of crosses. His soccer was predicated largely on creating top quality possibilities, and as a normal rule, crosses aren’t one of the best ways to try this. That stated, towards a bunkered protection Postecoglou’s Spurs may at occasions battle for concepts. His preferrred assault required presumably just a bit a lot in the best way of particular person brilliance, with the winger roles key: they might both use their technical capability to beat their marker and get to the byline, or they might feed the runs of both the fullback or midfielder to do the identical – at which level, you’d see a cutback to considered one of a number of gamers who had crashed the field.

Sadly, this stage of particular person brilliance isn’t precisely commonplace throughout the Spurs squad, and groups would begin to double up within the large areas. This resulted in infinite recycling of the soccer throughout the 18-yard field, probing for openings. At occasions this labored, but when opposition sides had been affected person and well-structured, they might maintain agency with minimal effort and watch for a mistake earlier than countering.

Frank’s attacking methodology is considerably totally different. As referenced above, somewhat than preserving the wingers excessive and large earlier than pushing to the byline, he likes them to start out in an identical place however make angled runs into central areas whereas lengthy passes are performed from deep, exploiting area behind the protection. This places them in positions the place they’ll both shoot, or make a easy cross throughout objective for a tap-in.

Like with Ange-ball although, this solely actually works properly for those who can lure out a staff and create that area. If the opponents hold their construction, nevertheless, Thomas Frank likes to make use of crosses – each as an opportunity creator and as a means of various the attacking patterns to maintain opposition defenses guessing.

However wait – didn’t I say crosses aren’t a great way of making high quality possibilities?

Sure, however not all crosses are created equal. Frank prioritizes crosses from the half-space or simply on the nook / fringe of the 18-yard field. The Athletic did a very good breakdown on crossing risk round 5 years in the past, and the lengthy and in need of it’s that probably the most harmful crosses are from these areas:

These are precisely the areas from the place Frank likes his sides to cross (the byline / cutback space however) – one thing we hardly ever noticed below Ange Postecoglou – and Frank’s sides cross a LOT, in order that might be an enormous change this season.

The factor is that his sides are good about it: they don’t simply hit and hope from the touchline, however as a substitute work possession into areas the place expert passers and crossers can take benefit. Because of this I imagine any person like Dejan Kulusevski may work extraordinarily properly as a Frank winger: no, he’s not the pacey kind to run in behind, however he’s elite at working his means into these areas and exploiting them. It’ll additionally play up the talents of the likes of Son, Pedro Porro, and James Maddison.

Will probably be good to have a bit extra of a Plan B that doesn’t simply contain throwing extra numbers ahead.

There’s change afoot this season; however maybe not as a lot as one might imagine. From my analysis and evaluation of Frank’s sides, I’d say it’s doubtless Spurs will retain a again 4, and prioritize constructing from the again very similar to they did below Ange Postecoglou. When Spurs push ahead although, anticipate to see each extra selection in assault AND a barely extra conservative construction, guaranteeing defensive solidity will not be compromised.

Who actually is aware of with a coach like Thomas Frank, although – he might fully revolutionize each his ways and this Spurs squad – and show me incorrect as quickly as tomorrow’s first preseason pleasant towards Studying. I’m excited to search out out both means.