Thomas Frank makes it clear what Mathys Tel and Luca Williams-Barnett must do now at Tottenham

Thomas Frank was a happy enough man in his press conference after Tottenham's 3-0 victory against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night.

The game was won with an acrobatic strike from Joao Palhinha and an own goal from Doncaster defender Jay McGrath before a late Brennan Johnsonstrike. The victory set up a fourth round trip to Newcastle for Frank and his men as they look to compete on all fronts this campaign.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Frank after the game. Here's a full transcript from the press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

What did you make of the performance tonight?

First and foremost, happy with the win, happy with the clean sheet and happy that we are through to the next round. That was the aim. I think the first half was good. Controlled the game, created chances that we wanted and needed. I think we could have scored more goals in the first half actually. Got some big opportunities to Mathys Tel, Rodri and a few other situations that were dangerous.

Second half was more disjointed. I think we threw the ball away too easily. The pressure was not top but also praise to Doncaster. They came very brave, very good to stretch us. So if the pressure is not perfect they made it difficult so praise to them as well.

You put Joao Palhinha at centre-back and he scores a goal like that, what did you make of his performance?

Very happy. He has been very good for us since he joined us. Again, just stepping into that centre-back role and played very well and scored a very good goal. So yeah, pleased.

Why was Pape Matar Sarr missing from the squad?

Pape Matar Sarr just a minor precaution. A minor, how can you say, a little stretch to the thigh so we didn’t want to take any risks today. There is a good chance that he could be ready for Saturday.

What did you make of Mathys Tel’s performance? How do you lift a striker's confidence when he is in a bad run?

I don’t think he has a bad run, if I’m honest. He played striker against West Ham which I think he did quite well. Worked very hard for him to arrive in the right areas which I think he did today. In terms of performance that was a step up.

Then we can look at the end product to score the goal but the performance to arrive in the box I was very happy with. Just close with the first ball from Brennan, ready for the cutback. Second half got in there on two other good situations and had a nice shot. I think it was a step up in terms of performance.

On Mathys Tel, you spoke about how he can play on the left, he can play centrally, could you tell us what you think his main qualities are that he gives to the team?

I think you can see that his ability in this game to arrive in the box and the pace he got to both running behind and also getting into the right areas, I think it's good. I think his pressing ability is very good. I like the way he works in that situation.

And then I think his link-up play is something that is a good level, but he can be even better.

And Luca Williams-Barnett making his debut?

Yeah, very happy with that. I think it's always a pleasure to be part of a young player's debut. So, yeah, happy with that.

You moved Palhinha to defence and Archie Gray into midfield, are we saying now that Archie's position in midfield is something for him going forward?

I think Archie can play centre-back and right-back, but I see him more as a midfielder and I'd liked to see him today in that position. I was confident and I was happy that I was backed in that feeling about Joao as a centre-back.

Just on Luca, he's only 16, but others are playing in the Premier League at that age, does it feel like football's getting younger these days?

Yeah, I think that definitely over the last many years the focus on the talent development and academies across the world is so big. So the talent pool is bigger. There are these talents coming through that are younger and younger.

But one thing is the debut when you're 16. The next step, and much more important, is how Luca or other players take those steps forward. It's very tough to keep going and then get into the first team as a really regular player. But the first step is very important.

On Tel, you talked about how you were impressed with the way he was getting into the box, is it just a classic case for a striker who just needs one to go in off his backside?

Yeah, I think that's fair to say. Of course, he really wanted to score and do well. Unfortunately, as a striker, that you get measured on

Exactly the same as a keeper, you need to get measured. You can't throw it into your own goal, but I think, as I said before, the overall performance was really a step forward. But of course, I really wanted him to score as well, because that would make it an even better story.