S15E24 - Aston Villa, Thomas Frank And The Double Pivot

Visit MedExpress.co.uk to check your eligibility and get £40 off with code TFC. We react to Tottenham’s 3–0 win away at Everton: a clinical, professional performance built on set-piece precision and defensive control. We break down Micky van de Ven’s brace, Pape Sarr’s late goal, and Guglielmo Vicario’s key saves that secured another clean sheet. We talk about Thomas Frank’s growing influence, the balance between pragmatism and style, and what this win says about Spurs’ development into a team that can grind results on tough away days. We also dig into the bigger picture: how set-pieces have become a defining weapon, what Van de Ven’s rise means for the back line, and whether Spurs can sustain this form in the race for the top four. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/thefightingcock Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Spurs are tougher to beat but still searching for a spark. We unpack the 0–0 in Monaco, Vicario’s big night, and why the No. 10 keeps getting bypassed. Is the Bentancur–Palhinha double pivot leaving a chasm to the forwards, and could Kudus through the middle help the ball stick? We talk Archie Gray’s versatility, Porro’s playmaking, Richarlison’s struggles, and what changes once Solanke, Kulusevski, Maddison, and Romero return. Plus: patience with Thomas Frank, away vs home identity, and January priorities for a deep-lying playmaker and a left winger. Listener questions included. > Patreon - http://bit.ly/2uECfa3 > Twitter - http://bit.ly/2wleG6z > Facebook - http://bit.ly/39bN7LM > Instagram - http://bit.ly/3ae2GCx > WhatsApp - https://bit.ly/3dhrQTd > YouTube - http://bit.ly/2I31iH7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs presenter Ben Haines joins The Lab to talk about the Europa League win in Bilbao, how the “Winners” documentary came together, and what changed inside the club under Vinai Venkatesham and Thomas Frank. We get into Ange’s standards, Thomas Frank’s culture work, analysts clipping live during matches, and why increased access has lifted trust among supporters. Ben also shares the story behind Sonny’s emotional farewell interview and what it takes to ask bold questions when you only have ten minutes with a player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A home loss to Villa sparks the big question: how much patience do we give Thomas Frank’s setup at Spurs. The boys pick apart the game plan, the double pivot, and why two outrageous strikes can flip a fair draw into a defeat. There is chat on over-reliance on Kudus, what Odobert is and is not yet, where Xavi Simons fits, and which midfield profile is still missing. Away form looks fine, home form needs huge work, and January needs a left winger plus a progressive eight. £183 rounds, Enjoy Cafe lore, and a proper goodbye to Bardi before Colombia. Up the Spurs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Flav, Ricky and Alex freewheel through elite snack poverty, lost retro Spurs shirts, the best and worst kits, Maddison’s YouTube series, Romero’s reputation, centre-back partnerships under Frank, Muani hype, loans and PSR talk, US live-show fantasies, flying dread, NFL at the Lane, and a grab-bag of listener questions that range from pure football to pure filth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by football finance expert Ben White to unpack Tottenham’s £100 million capital injection from the Lewis family. We explain why it is being done as a share issue rather than a loan, how amortisation and PSR shape what Spurs can actually spend, the Macquarie cash-advance story, and why Chelsea’s model is risky. We also talk timing, ownership intent, January vs summer windows, and what success looks like over the next three to five years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurs leave Leeds with three points after a professional away performance. We get into Thomas Frank’s in-game tweaks, Xavi Simons central, Udogie’s all-action display, and why away-day Spurs look miles ahead of home form. There is chat on Vicario’s big late saves, the midfield blend with Palhinha and Bentancur, and what changes once Solanke or Muani are back. We also touch on the broader Premier League trend toward set-piece-heavy, pragmatic football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the Q&A podcast - Tricky tie in the north, creases on the pitch, defensive play v attacking threat, and why Frank will make it good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/thefightingcock Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Spurs draw vs Wolves sparks a cathartic chat: frustration with chance creation at home vs solid away form; “boiled parsnip” as the metaphor for a flat performance. Consensus that it’s early in Thomas Frank’s tenure, injuries matter (Madison/Kulu/Solanke), and a defensive-first build is sensible. Paulinha’s late equaliser praised for technique and leadership. Midfield makeup debated (Palhinha + passer vs metronomes), with calls to give Xavi Simons a run at 10 and find a dependable left-side option. Brief takeover chat: fan temptation of a £1.2bn spend vs concerns about ownership profile and league direction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tottenham beat Doncaster 3–0 in the League Cup and the lads ask how to prioritise the domestic cups against Champions League and the league. We talk Thomas Frank’s straight-talking pragmatism, Palhinha’s early impact, Archie Gray’s best role, Kinski’s standout save, Porro vs. Spence, and what to do with a 20-year-old forward riding a rough patch. Plus pricing for cup nights, boardroom vibes post-Levy, and a quick mailbag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices