Thomas Frank faces mounting pressure at Tottenham, having won just two out of his last nine league matches, with the club now sitting 11th in the standings.
After the decision to sack Ange Postecoglou following a Europa League victory, Daniel Levy is eager for Frank to reverse their fortunes fast. The situation feels precarious for Frank—like a ticking clock counting down.
Following their recent 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, we’ve pinpointed five crucial steps Frank needs to take to secure his position.
Improve home form
Tottenham’s inconsistency away from home has been troubling, but their home record has truly hindered their progress.
As of now, they’ve only managed to earn eight points from eight home fixtures, marking the fourth-worst record in the Premier League. Only Burnley, West Ham, and Wolves have fewer points at home than Spurs.
According to former Tottenham player Danny Murphy, the unease among fans is affecting player performance. That’s an issue Frank must address immediately.
“The crowd’s anxiety gets passed onto the pitch,” Murphy mentioned to BBC Sport. “When things go poorly, players who are normally skilled become cautious at home because they fear criticism if they misplace the ball.”
“It demands mental resilience to navigate that environment. Players need a few positive results at home to regain their freedom on the pitch.”
Spurs’ next challenge is a home match against Liverpool…
Get more out of creative players
Injuries have certainly taken a toll on Spurs this season.
The absences of key players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have left the squad lacking in firepower.
However, Frank should be extracting greater performance from the attacking options available.
Currently, Tottenham’s expected goals (xG) stands at a mere 15.17, which ranks fourth lowest in the league.
With the talent Frank has at his disposal, Spurs should be far more productive.
Take more shots
Another aspect tied to their creative struggles is a severe lack of goal attempts.
Spurs are currently 17th in the league for shots taken, being one of only four teams averaging under 10 shots per game.
The saying holds true: if you don’t shoot, you won’t score.
Become harder to score against in open play
Tottenham has one of the league’s best defensive records during set-pieces, allowing only two goals in that scenario.
Yet, their performance in open play is among the worst. As it stands, only Wolves and Leeds United have conceded more open-play goals than Spurs, with a total of 18.
If this troubling trend persists, as seen in their match against Nottingham Forest, Frank’s time in charge could be coming to an end.
Build a stronger bond with Spurs fans
Football supporters can often be forgiving, especially when the team is struggling, as long as they feel a connection with the manager and see a clear vision for the future.
Postecoglou’s solid rapport with Spurs fans was vital in helping him navigate tough times, something Frank has yet to achieve.
