Tottenham's new manager, Thomas Frank, has already provided mixed feedback on defender Micky van de Ven early in his tenure. Frank acknowledged his appreciation for Van de Ven's defensive skills but noted that the towering 1.93-meter center-back wasn't scoring enough goals for someone of his stature. Last season, Van de Ven struggled to find the net due to injuries, but under Frank's guidance this season, he has become the team's top scorer and was instrumental in their 3-0 victory over Everton.

Van de Ven's improvement is particularly evident in set-piece situations, from which he has scored all five of his goals. This development is one of Frank's significant achievements at the club so far. Tottenham has been strong in set-piece situations for some time and ranks as the fifth-best team in this regard among Europe's top leagues since the start of the 2023/24 season. Set-piece coach Andreas Georgson has played a crucial role in this progress.

Despite not playing particularly well in open play, Tottenham managed a convincing win against Everton. However, Frank is still grappling with a lack of creativity within the team, especially with key players like Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison having been absent all season. Their return is anticipated to enhance the team's attacking play.

Analysts are keenly observing how Frank will handle the upcoming challenging fixtures against teams like Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle. Frank's strategic approach and his ability to adapt the team according to the situation will be vital for Tottenham's success in these matches.

Expert Analysis: Thomas Frank's early impact at Tottenham is evident in their set-piece prowess, but the true test will be his ability to navigate the team through a series of high-stakes matches. The return of key players could be the catalyst needed to unlock their full attacking potential.