ENRG Sport’s long-suffering Spurs fan Tyler Hinton reflects on Thomas Franks tumultuous Tottenham reign: from past shortcomings to the unstable status quo.
Since his Spurs arrival in the Summer, Thomas Frank hasn’t implemented the same sting his Bees possessed. Franks Brentford had heart and determination; praised for their venomous counter attacking abilities. Frank transformed them into one of the leagues most clinical underdogs. His Tottenham team is the antithesis of his last side. Slow, repetitive and devoid of creativity. Granted, Frank’s team have been plighted with injuries, but is it enough to provide immunity from criticism? No. Spurs fans are despondent with Franks “brand” of football and disillusioned as to how he is still in charge for tonight’s Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund.
Toxicity around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has never been this uncontrollable. Fans are booing more than they are chanting, and its clear supporters have turned on Thomas Frank. It must be said fans’ motivation for abandoning the Dane are more than compelling.
His side gifted a travelling Wolves their first points of the season in embarrassing fashion back in September. Frank implemented a fear-stricken five-at-the-back when visiting rivals Arsenal, only to be emptied 4-1 in a spineless display of cowardice. On the 7th of January, after back-to-back draws, Tottenham gave Bournemouth their first win in 11 games, a farewell gift for the departing Semenyo perhaps. That was followed by a lack lustre performance and subsequent elimination courtesy of Aston Villa from the FA Cup at home.
Leading to Franks sides most recent game, a defeat at home, yet again, this time to West Ham. Callum Wilson’s last-minute winner earned the Hammers their first league win since early November and escalated the animosity in N17 to an irretrievable level. Spurs sit 14th with a mere 27 points from 22 games. Subpar, unsatisfactory, inadequate, just a few nugatories that spring to mind when considering Tottenham’s season so far.
Internal conversations regarding Franks managerial status were held by the club following the defeat to London rivals West Ham. The evidence of incompetence has stacked up, but the club are willing to let that pile rise. Despite many a reliable report that Frank is set for the sack, he still sits in the dugout against Dortmund tonight.
“It doesn’t rain. It pours.” The words of Frank when discussing availability for the game this evening. The Spurs manager has 11 “recognised” first team players to choose from. Not a sniff of succour for Frank as Palhinha and Van de Ven are suspended, an untimely supplement to the misery of the injury list. A win for Tottenham this evening would be a miracle, a miracle that could grant Thomas Frank a lilywhite lifeline.
Frank recently described the Tottenham project as “turning a supertanker”, assuring press that he is the man to turn it in the right direction. Franks self-belief must be admired, but with a mountain of similar unfulfilled promises behind him, this statement feels like one final deluded rally cry.
The general consensus is that the Tottenham job has been too big a step up for Thomas Frank. A fantastic orator, a genuine good guy of football, but not the right man for Spurs. If things go sour tonight hostility could surpass the zenith. If Spurs emerge victorious it prolongs the inevitable. Thomas Franks dismissal is no longer a question of if, but rather when.
