Tottenham Hotspur face Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League, with Spurs eager to continue the fine start to the season.
Tottenham ran out 1-0 victors over Villarreal in the opening European tie, and the North Londoners have an opportunity to add another three points on the board.
However, ahead of the game, Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin made quite the assertion.
Haikin said it was ‘unusual’ to see a team like Spurs going for long throws and set-pieces everywhere on the pitch.
The question was posed to Spurs boss Thomas Frank, who had a brilliant response to the unnecessary jibe by Haikin.
Frank said (via Football London): “OK. Erm, I personally think that set-pieces are an extremely important part of football.
“Isn’t there a stat that 33% or something like that that all goals are scored from set-pieces?
“So I think it’s clever to utilise a third of your opportunities to try to score a goal. I’m happy, that’s a fine comment. If you think that’s a strength of ours, I’m happy with that.”
Frank’s point is hard to argue with. In modern football, long throws and set-pieces are no longer a fallback tactic for underdogs.
They are a weapon embraced by the very best, like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid.
Top clubs across Europe have made dead-ball situations key in their strategy. What Frank has done at Tottenham is strip away the stigma and fully commit to making these moments count.
His side’s precision, organisation and willingness to use every possible advantage have given Spurs an edge.
The proof lies in the results. Spurs are sitting comfortably in the Premier League’s top four and in the Champions League table.
Far from being an oddity, their approach shows a manager ahead of the curve, unafraid to turn the overlooked into a match-winning formula.