Tottenham Hotspur has shifted its focus from an attack-oriented strategy to a more pragmatic approach centered around defensive solidity under new manager Thomas Frank. In their recent 1-0 victory against Villarreal in the Champions League, Spurs showcased this "clean sheet mentality," keeping their fourth clean sheet in five matches this season. This marks a stark contrast to last season's philosophy when the team, under Ange Postecoglou, prioritized scoring over defending.

Midfielder Lucas Bergvall highlighted the importance of this new mentality, noting that Villarreal did not register a single shot on target during the match. Defender Micky van de Ven echoed these sentiments, stating that the team's structure and understanding of defensive responsibilities have made them a difficult opponent to break down.

Despite the success in defense, the match against Villarreal revealed a potential downside to this shift in tactics—Tottenham managed only one shot on target throughout the game. Frank acknowledged that while the defensive organization has improved significantly, the attacking side of their game needs enhancement. He pointed out that there were moments when his team let Villarreal dictate play, which is an area for future improvement.

So far this season, Tottenham has conceded only one goal, a significant improvement from the previous campaign, where they allowed five goals in their first five games. With three clean sheets already in the Premier League, the team's defensive prowess is evident, but Frank will need to find the right balance to ensure that their attacking play can match their defensive success as they progress through the season.