Micky van de Ven explains how he's helping Xavi Simons and why Dutchman will succeed at Tottenham

Micky van de Ven has explained how he is trying to help Xavi Simons become a Tottenham success but believes his fellow Dutchman's multilingual ability will help him settle in quickly regardless.

The Netherlands internationals were two of the players to come out with any credit from Spurs' fortunate2-2 draw against Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday night in Norway. Van de Ven captained the side and headed home the goal that began the north London side's comeback and Xavi finally gave the hosts some attacking problems to deal with when he came on for the final half an hour.

Xavi arrived in N17 at the end of the summer transfer window in a £51.8million deal from RB Leipzig and has been gradually settling into life at Spurs, with head coach Thomas Frank mostly using him out wide on the left rather than in a slightly more central number 10 playmaker role that he mostly played in Germany.

• Thomas Frank admits something about Micky van de Ven and explains Tottenham's struggles in Bodo
• Micky van de Ven can't hide disappointment despite 'really proud' Tottenham moment

Van de Ven has been trying to help the 22-year-old adjust to life at the north London club as quickly as possible.

"I speak a lot with him but what also helps him a lot is he speaks a lot of languages so he can get on with a lot of players as well," said the centre-back. "I try to help him on and off the pitch with every small detail he asks for. I’m there for him to help him as much as possible."

The defender has high hopes for Xavi's impact to come on the Tottenham team with his creativity something the team don't have much of due to the injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

"He’s a really good player. He can create a lot of special things. I think you saw today he came on and did really well," said Van de Ven. "Most of the time he plays you can see the creativity he has on the wing, even if he plays there."

On Tuesday night, Frank chose Van de Ven as his captain with Cristian Romero left at home as a precaution following a contact injury suffered in the draw against Wolves. The Tottenham boss confirmed that the 24-year-old would be part of his new-look leadership group.

"Yes, I have made a decision. I haven't told the players yet, and that will be on Thursday. So I made the decision, but it's probably pretty obvious he will be [in that group]," said the Dane. "He has impressed me a lot as a player, but also as a communicator on the pitch. And a little bit of show of character. I think he was good today."

The Dutch defender was unaware of his inclusion in the group when asked after the game in Bodo.

"I don’t know about that, he hasn’t mentioned that yet, but it was a proud moment for myself to lead the group out in a Champions League game," he said. "It’s a moment you dream of when you’re a kid. I’m happy I could help the team and we got the point.

"To be honest I went into the game the same as I always do. It’s not like there is some extra pressure on you. I just did what I needed to do and tried to help the team as much as possible."

Spurs struggled for long periods at the Aspmyra Stadion on Tuesday night, with Bodo/Glimt controlling the possession and forcing them back into their own half. While the Premier League side dominated physically in the 2-0 win back in May in the Europa League semi-final second leg, this time they found themselves second best for much of the game in the small Norwegian town by the sea.

However, with the hosts 2-0 up, Van de Ven's goal opened the door to a comeback with his header from Mohammed Kudus' cross and after both sides hit the woodwork late on, in the 89th minute an Archie Gray shot was saved by the goalkeeper only to bounce into the net off Bodo defender Jostein Gundersen to spare the team's blushes.

"I think it shows our mentality. From our side, it was a really difficult game. We were 2-0 down and I think it shows our mentality to come back to 2-2 and get a point," explained Van de Ven.

"Today was not our best performance, of course. We struggled a bit today. Bodo was better. We didn’t get the pressure on the game as well. But at the end of the game it shows our mentality. We need to play better than today, overall."

Tottenham also had a goal ruled out after Rodrigo Bentancur had tucked home a Brennan Johnson shot because Van de Ven was caught pulling a Bodo players' shirt in the box by VAR.

"I only saw it on the VAR screen. First of all I didn’t even know it was me!" admitted the defender. "But then I saw it on the screen and I think I pulled his jersey a bit and he fell down straight away. It was the decision of the referee. I didn’t see it back properly so I can’t talk about [whether it was harsh or not]."

Spurs also had to rely on a late Joao Palhinha goal on Saturday to rescue a point at home against bottom side Wolves and Tuesday's skipper for the game was asked whether it was a sustainable way forward to keep having to come from behind.

"We did it twice now and it shows the mentality of the team. It’s not every time we are going behind and we just want to make a comeback. That’s not what happens," he said. "Of course, we need to make sure most of the times we are in front in the last couple of minutes but I think it shows our mentality."

Van de Ven added that the players are still going through the process of switching from a very different tactical style under Ange Postecoglou to Frank's demands and ways.

"I think it’s all clear. Of course when there is a new manager you need to adapt a bit and probably need some time as well," he said. "But we know what to do. So it’s not a thing that’s [about a] change of manager of course. But we know what to do and that’s most important."

Frank made five changes to his team on Tuesday night from the one that drew with Wolves and it needed those rested players to come back in from the bench and help salvage a point. Van de Ven believes that everyone is giving their all even if some need time to find their rhythm.

"Every player that comes into the team has some quality. You have some players who don’t really have the rhythm but it doesn’t really change something for myself or for the team," he said. "Every player that comes in needs to play his best and I think everyone tries to do that every time he comes into the team."