Leeds 1-2 Spurs | Every word of Thomas Frank's press conference

Thomas Frank spoke to the media at Elland Road after our 2-1 win against Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Here's what he had to say...

What are you thoughts on the win?

Thomas: "I'm extremely happy with the win. I think if you want to build any successful team, you need mentality and character and cohesion and togetherness, no matter if you play like Inter or Barcelona or whatever style of play, you need that willingness to do everything to win. I think we are building that more and more in the team. You could say in the last 10, 15, where they pushed us back and we also dropped a little back... but throughout the game, I actually think that until the 80th minute, I'm very happy with those 80 minutes, give or take. We looked very solid defensively. I think we gave the goal away, which is like a cross, deflected shot. I know they hit the post, but it looks more dangerous than it is. That's what we gave away until the 80th minute. We created two goals and other very good and dangerous situations and chances. So, very happy with that. Then we need a little bit of surviving and a couple of good saves from Vicario."

You must be delighted with your overall start...

Thomas: "Yes, of course I am. I think 14 points in seven is two on average. That's very good. That overall start I'm happy with. I'm extremely happy that we now on the road have won three and a draw, which is part of that - if you want to achieve anything, you need to do that. So, overall start, a good start, but we need to continue, of course."

Thoughts on Mathys Tel's goal?

Thomas: "I'm almost emotional about him, so happy for him. I think the character he's shown for a young man just really impressed me from day one, but of course after a setback, not coming in the Champions League squad, not being an established player, maybe playing a good position where I really can see him play and I think he's taking steps. Also been picked a little bit for the left. So, just keep training well, which he does. He trains well every day. Stayed at home when we went the Bodo the whole team, trained well. Just ready today. Big praise to Cameron and Justin to work with Mathys and the way we worked with him - a fine game against West Ham as a striker, to a better game against Doncaster, where he arrives more in the right areas. I know he could have scored two goals but as I say he arrives there, because we trained and we showed clips. To the next level today, where I think he worked hard, he scored a good goal. I know there was a little deflection, but the connection was good. He has a header, other good situations. So, very, very pleased."

Did you see strands of attacking play starting to gel today?

Thomas: "I think it looked promising today at times. I liked Xavi as a 10. I think that was his best game for us. There's still more to come, but I think he had some really good actions in there. Mo, again, getting his goal, which I'm pleased with. It was about time he scored that goal! But no, I'm so pleased for him. So, you just see he looked a little bit more fluid."

Two big saves from Guglielmo Vicario at the end...

Thomas: "Yeah, I agree. Two big saves. I think the one with the left hand was the biggest one, a very, very good and big save. The goal, I looked at it back. I think I need to look a little bit more calmly in it, but of course you can say, can we put the ball in another place, parry it out? And Destiny could be more aware. I also think it drops, deflection, there's a few bits we could have done better there. So I don't think it's a massive mistake, if that makes sense. I would rather want to praise two big saves."

It's hard to think of a more impressive centre-back partnership than yours in the Premier League...

Thomas: "Thank you. I think the two there are very important. Of course the whole team is always important, the back four and all that. But I agree with you. You have the right pairing in the middle. It brings you a long way. It's a big credit to the two of them. I think it's a big credit to the performance of the medical staff. They've done a very good job there and they are in a very good place, both of them right now, in terms of fitness. And especially, I'll say, I'll praise the medical and performance staff for a short turn around (with Cuti). He got a big bruised foot from Wolves to this, but he got around and he managed to play through the pain in the end. So, it also showed character and mentality."

Your teams seems a little more street wise...

Thomas: "Football is such a competitive sport, and there'll be lots of small setbacks in a game, where you concede a corner that was maybe not a corner, or you lose the ball and you need to sprint back, or you need to defend for a long period. It's not going as well. You concede a goal after we were actually on top of the game. We had a big chance for Mo to score 2-0. Boom, out of nothing. Leeds score, but stay in the game, keep doing the right things. I'm speaking a lot about it, showing clips what to do, and the players are really, really doing well."

You seem to be able to get over those road blocks...

Thomas: "Yes, the players definitely have it in them, they showed very good character."

You have a number of attacking absentees - maybe the fans weren't expecting such an impressive start - is that something you've had to address with the players, not feeling sorry for themselves or using that as an excuse?

Thomas: "That Dom and Kolo Muani are out? I actually never speak about that. I never speak about to the players that we have injured players. I've never done that. I just look at the next one in line and do everything I can to prepare that player or those players and boost them. I said from day one, and I more or less say once a week, that we're going to need everyone. Everyone needs to be ready, they need to help the team."

We know Djed Spence's qualities, but does Destiny Udogie give you more natural width on the left?

Thomas: "Yeah, maybe. I think actually Djed is very good at running forward with the ball as well, but there's something in the natural with the left footer. So, there's something in that. I guess there's a reason that across the globe most coaches tend to play a left-footed as a left-back. I'm just happy that I have three very good full-backs. I think actually Dest also showed some good bits today. He maybe should have scored himself instead of passing it to Mo."

You're the first team to win the league at Elland Road in more than a year - were there a weakness you looked to exploit?

Thomas: "By the way, I've been in the Championship for many years, so I know how difficult a league it is and I always respect it. So, any weaknesses? I think before this game, and I think it's the same today, they concede very little chances on the XG. So, if you look at the XG today, also in that sense they concede very little. I think the one that maybe is hidden a little bit from the performance today is the thing that we had five or six top situations where we flashed the ball across the box, where we need to be there. Then it's maybe two goals and an XG of two. I think I rather want to praise Leeds. I think they were good today. I think they were difficult to play against. I think they defended well and I felt they were very brave also on the ball."