Thomas Frank - Head Coach

[braineclipse]

Yeah I just think holding firm when our own fans are chanting ‘sacked in the morning’ at him is really interesting. At some point the board would surely start to wonder about attendances and season ticket sales if the plan was to get rid in the summer anyway.

Honestly I think the whole club is acting in an ‘interesting’ way. The January transfer window was another version of holding firm. All the noise said we needed more reinforcements but they did the business they did, and kept the powder largely dry.

In many respects the club are ignoring the noise and doing what they think is right. Time will tell whether it is the right decision of whether they simply haven’t been able to see the woods from the trees. But again, in some ways I’m impressed that a clear sightedness and a willingness to ignore the noise is an MO they are following, if indeed that’s what they’re doing.

That's a big if

Alternatively they have no idea what the right decision is and are just hoping it works out well enough that we don't get into a relegation scrap.

 

[braineclipse]

I just remember us having our last line of defence in the opponents' half, opposition managers and players openly saying they knew how to play against us, and that feeling of awaiting the inevitable goals from opponents even when we scored scored first in a game.

It was the same feeling that I'd had in the second half of the previous season.

I've much preferred watching us this season, but unfortunately the results aren't coming. I'm hoping we manage a win tomorrow night - it feels like a huge game.

Thanks for what gave me a positive take. At some point in the future all I'll remember is spending more time watching Danso wipe the ball off for a long throw than watching us play good football and hopefully then I'll much prefer the football I'm watching.

Ange for all his flaws (or however many flaws we saw in him) actually got us 5th. He won us the EL, but he also was the one who got us to the EL in the first place. Ah for the days of discussing if Ange's naivety was the reason for us missing out on 4th rather than discussing the potential relegation scrap we may be heading for if not for the huge game tomorrow night.

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

That's a big if

Alternatively they have no idea what the right decision is and are just hoping it works out well enough that we don't get into a relegation scrap.

Very possible!

I think it reached a point with me though where I was like ‘ok, results are terrible, the mood around the ground is darkening, the away fans are lost, we’re out of the domestic cups, we probably won’t win the CL, and yet he’s still here’ and that makes me think there might just be some method to all of this. It would be so easy to get rid.

I’m a little bit torn between A. It’s a great long term move and it means holding firm through the tough transition period, B. they are just waiting until the summer so they can bring Poch back and C. They would have sacked him earlier but didn’t want to make themselves look stupid by sacking the guy they hired to compete on all fronts after sacking the guy that won us a European trophy. And I always try and lean on the side of people in these positions might be human but they aren’t totally stupid, which leaves me at least open to A.

 

[harr1984]

Very possible!

I think it reached a point with me though where I was like ‘ok, results are terrible, the mood around the ground is darkening, the away fans are lost, we’re out of the domestic cups, we probably won’t win the CL, and yet he’s still here’ and that makes me think there might just be some method to all of this. It would be so easy to get rid.

I’m a little bit torn between A. It’s a great long term move and it means holding firm through the tough transition period, B. they are just waiting until the summer so they can bring Poch back and C. They would have sacked him earlier but didn’t want to make themselves look stupid by sacking the guy they hired to compete on all fronts after sacking the guy that won us a European trophy. And I always try and lean on the side of people in these positions might be human but they aren’t totally stupid, which leaves me at least open to A.

I think you're over thinking it. Was there a clear suitable manager available they would have got rid. But as there wasn't he has got a stay of execution, and hoping to muddle through to the end of the season before he is disposed of.

But if we don't win one of the next couple of games they will accept they have to bite the bullet regardless and just get a fresh face in for the interim because things will be looking extremely worrying (as if they aren't already)....

 

[tommysvr]

I just remember us having our last line of defence in the opponents' half, opposition managers and players openly saying they knew how to play against us, and that feeling of awaiting the inevitable goals from opponents even when we scored scored first in a game.

It was the same feeling that I'd had in the second half of the previous season.

I've much preferred watching us this season, but unfortunately the results aren't coming. I'm hoping we manage a win tomorrow night - it feels like a huge game.

Omg yes this season has been so much better!

The table today:
15th Tottenham Hotspur 25 7 8 10 35 35 0 29

The table on February 9 2025:
14th Tottenham Hotspur 24 8 3 13 48 37 11 27

Incredible improvement that's made this all so worth it.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

Jeeeeeeeeeeeez its like the twilight zone

 

[Juicebox]

For me, I think the only way that TF remains in charge next season is if we win the CL or qualify for Europe via the PL. Otherwise, I suspect there's a contractual agreement/bonuses attached to qualification, and whilst there is still a chance of either of the above that he'll remain, unless PL status realistically becomes even more uncertain.

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

I think you're over thinking it. Was there a clear suitable manager available they would have got rid. But as there wasn't he has got a stay of execution, and hoping to muddle through to the end of the season before he is disposed of.

But if we don't win one of the next couple of games they will accept they have to bite the bullet regardless and just get a fresh face in for the interim because things will be looking extremely worrying (as if they aren't already)....

I think after the West Ham game they could have gone the interim route, because the season was over at that point. It got to the point where the results and the atmosphere were simply so bad that it would be easy to reach for the Mason lever if they so chose. I’m not sure why they didn’t if there wasn’t at least the hint of actual belief in his longevity.

 

[LutonSpurs]

The squad doesn't seem massively united now. Think tomorrow has to be a W or he is gone. Not because it's all his fault. We just need a change and that's the one that could help us just stave off this proximity to the drop zone

 

[harr1984]

I think after the West Ham game they could have gone the interim route, because the season was over at that point. It got to the point where the results and the atmosphere were simply so bad that it would be easy to reach for the Mason lever if they so chose. I’m not sure why they didn’t if there wasn’t at least the hint of actual belief in his longevity.

Nah. I think Ryan Mason being about the only feasible thing available is exactly why they've stuck. It's already been said they really dont want to revert to type and sack yet another manager unless absolutely necessary.

Was Poch amongst others available here and now he would have gone, there's not some magic data they are seeing that's keeping him here....

 

[Raziel]

The squad doesn't seem massively united now. Think tomorrow has to be a W or he is gone. Not because it's all his fault. We just need a change and that's the one that could help us just stave off this proximity to the drop zone

More noise coming out that tomorrow's game is critical to his survival.

I actually think right after the Scum game is a good slot, a week to next game, 3 out of following 4 games are ones you would normally expect to get points from, new manager/interim bounce could have huge impact.

Nah. I think Ryan Mason being about the only feasible thing available is exactly why they've stuck. It's already been said they really dont want to revert to type and sack yet another manager unless absolutely necessary.

Was Poch amongst others available here and now he would have gone, there's not some magic data they are seeing that's keeping him here....

They are rightly scared if the interim goes wrong as well, then what?

Re Frank, the only logical conclusion is he's gone, they think they can get Poch in summer, anything else is so negligent it's madness.

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

Nah. I think Ryan Mason being about the only feasible thing available is exactly why they've stuck. It's already been said they really dont want to revert to type and sack yet another manager unless absolutely necessary.

Was Poch amongst others available here and now he would have gone, there's not some magic data they are seeing that's keeping him here....

You may well be right. As I say, if they double down on Frank this summer when Poch is available and seemingly conducting a PR campaign to get back to the job he never should have lost…then it really will be interesting!

 

[clownfoot]

The squad doesn't seem massively united now. Think tomorrow has to be a W or he is gone. Not because it's all his fault. We just need a change and that's the one that could help us just stave off this proximity to the drop zone

I disagree with this. There is a lot of debate around Ange’s legacy at the club but he united the squad and I don’t think that has changed this season

 

[harr1984]

More noise coming out that tomorrow's game is critical to his survival.

I actually think right after the Scum game is a good slot, a week to next game, 3 out of following 4 games are ones you would normally expect to get points from, new manager/interim bounce could have huge impact.



They are rightly scared if the interim goes wrong as well, then what?

Re Frank, the only logical conclusion is he's gone, they think they can get Poch in summer, anything else is so negligent it's madness.

IMO he's gone the only question is if before the end of the season. Let's not forget two respected posters on here were told Frank is gone, and I would assume told by different people. So likely it's been decided he will go, ideally at the end of the season unless they feel they have to act beforehand because we are in real danger and evidently we are fast approaching that point.

Just my opinion of course, but from what I see and read I can only see him as a dead man walking....

 

[Raziel]

I disagree with this. There is a lot of debate around Ange’s legacy at the club but he united the squad and I don’t think that has changed this season

I think we have a solid group of model Pros - Palhinha, Porro, Danso, Davies, Solanke, Gallagher, Sarr, Bergvall, even Odobert and Tel, these guys turn up, train, do as their told, give 100% on the pitch, every time.

I actually think it's one of the reasons it's so hard to call on Frank, most other squads would have downed tools on this guy months ago, our guys are still trying.

Trying for Frank? I don't buy that specifically.

 

[Mikey10]

Thanks for what gave me a positive take. At some point in the future all I'll remember is spending more time watching Danso wipe the ball off for a long throw than watching us play good football and hopefully then I'll much prefer the football I'm watching.

Ange for all his flaws (or however many flaws we saw in him) actually got us 5th. He won us the EL, but he also was the one who got us to the EL in the first place. Ah for the days of discussing if Ange's naivety was the reason for us missing out on 16th rather than discussing the potential relegation scrap we may be heading for if not for the huge game tomorrow night.

FIFY.

 

[SpurMeUp]

I’ve no idea how any of that relates to my post?

Should this squad be in a relegation battle?

Without a first choice attack - yes absolutely. We’re outperforming our attacking talent available.

 

[SpurMeUp]

Simons only just clicked in the last few games. No Solanke until last few games. Kudus, Maddison, Kulusevski and no real rotation or subs….that is the issue. Any manager would have trouble without first choice creative players. Maybe they’d do a bit better (or worse) than Frank. But to believe these injuries wouldn’t affect them, is blindness to reality.

Frank has got more out of our up and coming players but they aren’t of the calibre of Kulu and friends. Though there has been clear and obvious development of Simons and Odobert, and Tel and Solanke have looked promising too. Of the 3 who were here last year, I’d say they’re playing better under Frank than I’ve seen previously.

 

[Bishop]

A difference between this season and last season is that we were actually good at times under Ange last season until the injuries got bad.

This season the resemblance of good in the PL seems to be that we're sometimes the better team on the pitch in some games, but mostly in some parts of some games.

I've asked before what happens if we get unlucky before we get good, having imo been somewhat lucky in the first third(ish) of the season. Arguably in the last weeks/months and a bit we've found out. I still don't think we're good, though we're been decent at times. Bit unlucky I think, a couple of results could have swung our way.

It's all subjective but no for me I did not think we were good last season. My critique came very early on, as early as the leicester game because I was begining to see the same pattern from the previous season repeating.

 

[Bishop]

Omg yes this season has been so much better!

The table today:
15th Tottenham Hotspur 25 7 8 10 35 35 0 29

The table on February 9 2025:
14th Tottenham Hotspur 24 8 3 13 48 37 11 27

Incredible improvement that's made this all so worth it.

I personally thought we were brick last season just as I think we are brick this one too.

It's become a bit of a reoccurring theme.