Thomas Frank delivers a strong message to the Tottenham hierarchy as fan frustration continues to grow.
Tottenham Hotspur have appeared at least three times among the five lowest expected goals (xG) figures in the Premier League this season, highlighting the growing frustration among supporters. Many fans admit they cannot remember a spell in which the team has been so regularly blunt in attack.
That problem was on show again on Sunday at the City Ground, where Spurs registered just one shot on target over the full 90 minutes. Despite the ongoing attacking struggles, Thomas Frank remains adamant he can guide the club back in the right direction.
Frank: Spurs’ issues need time
Historically, Tottenham have shown limited patience with managers when performances and results dip. But with Daniel Levy stepping aside in September and a new leadership structure now in place, Frank has stressed that any real turnaround will take time.
Asked whether he expects the backing required to rebuild, the Spurs head coach told Football.London:
“I can’t see why not. If nobody is given time, then nobody can fix this. This isn’t something that can be sorted out quickly.”
Why the next fortnight is crucial
Reports indicate that Frank is not currently under immediate pressure, with the club hierarchy prepared to stand by him during this challenging period. A rare break from midweek fixtures over the next two weeks is also seen as a major positive.
With no games interrupting the schedule, Frank and his staff are keen to use the extended training time to tackle the team’s problems.
Explaining why the pause is so important, Frank said:
“First of all, we finally have more or less a full week going into the Liverpool game. Then there are eight days before Palace, which gives us time to train and try to get on top of certain things.
“That’s the challenge. There are no complaints — it’s just reality. When matches come thick and fast, it’s harder to change things. That’s why these next two weeks are vital. After that, we have five games in a short space of time, so it’s about planning and organising it properly.”
Tottenham’s upcoming fixtures include league games against Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Sunderland and Bournemouth — a run that could be decisive for both Frank and his squad.