Every word Thomas Frank said on Newcastle defeat, Spence incident and Vicario absence

Thomas Frank has faced the media after Tottenham's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

Nick Woltemade’s sixth goal of the season and Fabian Schar’s 24th-minute opener was enough for the holders to progress to the quarter-final of the competition.

Frank spoke to the press after the match and below is every word the Dane had to say.

What did you make of the game and the performance today?

"I think it was a very even game. I think it was small margins that decided it. I think our performance was good. I think the way we played the game, especially how we built it from behind, phase one, especially phase two, I think we controlled the game much more. I think we had some short connections in the middle of the pitch. I think we found Lucas and Xavi in good positions.

"So I think it was one of our better offensive performances for the season. You could say it was not like we created five hundred percent chances, but we created some really big chances.

"I think Ramsdale had some really good saves. And then I think we had six, seven very good moments where with Richarlison arriving half a second too late, the final pass could have had even more cutting edge quality to have created even more.

"So overall, I'm happy with the performance. Of course, I'm super disappointed that we lost. And I'm super disappointed that we're out. We would love to progress and be in the draw tonight."

Encouraging that the slightly different system the last two matches has had a positive impact?

"Yeah, definitely. I think both Everton and Newcastle, both games looked much more better in the structure we tried to build to hit players in the space between lines. If that opened up or of course around if it's too close. But you're right, I think first half against Everton had it. I think throughout this game, I think we found good positions."

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Why was Vicario left out?

"He had a smaller thing that had to be done but he'll be ready for Chelsea."

And Odobert?

"Odobert had a side strain unfortunately, that kept him out for this game. Also we need to assess him but it could look positive for Chelsea."

There's been a few injuries building up. Is this something you're concerned about?

"No. Of course I would like to have everyone fit and available. We know injuries is part of it. It's up to me to find solutions. I think some of the ones we had are relatively, how can I say, unlucky. It's how quick you get them back. But a contact injury to Maddison, Bissouma. A knee thing with Destiny, we can't do too much about that. Dom mishit the ball. Yeah."

Unhappy with some of the decisions? Spence wasn't allowed back into position for first goal?

"Yeah, I think that was clear. I think for me, we conceded two goals because of two mistakes, in my opinion. Unfortunately, the ref was part of the mistake in the first one. I'm not saying there's things we can't do better, but his boot is off, we need to tie his shoelace and tie his boot. And you can clearly see on the footage afterwards that the whole boot is off, so we need to do it. And it's minute 23, it's not like we delayed the game for 10 minutes and we have one goal up. It's common sense to allow him time to get in.

"So as soon as he had the boot on, the ref let it go. And then, to make it perfect, Djed's man, he had to mark, was Schar, that scored. So that's why we were very animated. I think that was the biggest one. I think the rest was fine. There's always small bits you can be irritated about, but it's very difficult to ref a game. But this, for me, was unfortunately a big mistake. And then we made a mistake ourselves on the second one. So small margins decided the game today.

Hard to pick your team tonight?

"It was very difficult, to be honest. You said that Newcastle made eight changes, we made four. But I think we made four because we wanted to compete and I think we competed. Unfortunately, we just dropped out on the wrong end of it. So, of course, as you say, it's a busy schedule. It's a balance to make a very competitive team that can perform and tactically still hit the criteria we want to hit. We played Everton, four changes, Newcastle four changes and then Chelsea on Saturday.

"Some you need to rest, others you need to be able to perform. So, of course, I'm very disappointed we couldn't continue. I think we have 5,000 fans travelling. So we're more than pleased, happy that they're travelling this long way on a late night and give us all the backings. Unfortunately, we couldn't give them back a win."

Assume Archie Gray would have started tonight if he wasn't injured? Training injury?

"He would have started. He got a contact to the calf in Monaco. And probably in there or whatever also picked up a calf sprain."