Thomas Frank suggests two Tottenham players are not on the same wavelength yet

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After Tottenham opened their Champions League campaign with a win against Villarreal, Spurs boss Thomas Frank admitted that the partnership between Djed Spence and Xavi Simons down the left wing is still a work in progress.

Tottenham produced a professional display at home on Tuesday night to beat Villarreal 1-0 in the league phase of the Champions League.

Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior netted an own goal through a dreadful mistake in the 4th minute to decide the European tie.

For Spurs boss Thomas Frank, he earned three points during his first-ever taste of the Champions League. He will know that his side will need to improve over the course of the tournament, though.

Djed Spence and Xavi Simons both came under the spotlight after the Villarreal win because it was evident that they struggled as a partnership on the left-hand side of the pitch.

Spence, who’s right-footed, isn’t a left-back by trade so is limited in his attacking play. Meanwhile, Spurs fans don’t like Simons as a left-winger because they consider him to be a No.10.

• READ MORE: Mark Clattenburg thinks referee made a major error during Tottenham’s Champions League win vs Villarreal

Thomas Frank admits Djed Spence and Xavi Simons are working on relationship

In his post-match interview, Spurs head coach Frank did speak about the partnership of Spence and Simons, who have only played together twice.

Speaking via Tottenham’s official website, Frank said: “Xavi Simons has just come into the club. It’s fair to say he and Djed need a little relationship, of course, to get going. No complaints, it’s just natural… I think on the left side, Xavi and Djed, good against West Ham, but it’s not 100% in sync when maybe it’s not going, as an example.”

It will be intriguing to see in the upcoming fixtures whether Spence continues at left-back and Simons operates on the left wing. Even though you could argue both are better in different roles, it may be the easiest way to fit both into the same XI.

Frank loves the way Simons passes forward, which we would much prefer to see from a central position rather than from wide areas.

If Spence is to continue at left-back, where he’s unlikely to make too many overlapping runs, Spurs need a conventional touchline winger who’s fast and likes to beat his man. The best version of Simons may come if he’s allowed to operate more centrally.

Thomas Frank happy with the right flank

Even though Spurs are still trying to find the right balance on the left wing, it looks like they’ve got the right formulate on the opposite side.

The mix of right-back Pedro Porro and right-winger Mohammed Kudus has looked natural from the first day of the season.

Frank agreed via the Tottenham website: “On the right side, Pedro [Porro] and [Mohammed] Kudus, they definitely have something going. I think Lucas [Bergvall] came over to that side, it looks right.

Spurs need to try and keep the defensive steel that has stood out in the opening weeks of the season, but they are still searching for the right attacking blend to go with that.