Tottenham Hotspur’s Struggles Under Thomas Frank: A Closer Look
The Unexpected Challenges at Tottenham
Thomas Frank’s tenure as Tottenham Hotspur head coach began with promise, but he now faces a challenging period. A sequence of three consecutive draws in both the Premier League and the Champions League highlights Spurs’ need for consistency. While Frank is still familiarizing himself with the squad, the team’s ability to claw back from deficits is a positive sign of resilience and determination, aspects missing last season under Ange Postecoglou.
Historical Patterns Emerge in PreInternational Breaks
However, an intriguing historical pattern presents a potential issue. Frank has inherited a curious trend from Postecoglou’s reign — Spurs consistently lose matches just before international breaks. Since November 2023, this trend includes seven consecutive losses, with matches against teams like Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth. Such oddities can’t be ignored, prompting a deeper look into the causes.
Postecoglou’s Era and the Waning Momentum
The defeat at Molineux in November 2023 was a turning point, ending a 10game unbeaten streak and signaling the start of Tottenham’s challenges. Key players like Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie received red cards, while others, such as Micky van de Ven and James Maddison, were absent due to injuries. These factors contributed to a weakened side and halted their momentum, resulting in a winless run of three matches.
The Fulham Conundrum and Irregular Performances
A puzzling defeat at Fulham followed, marking the first time Tottenham had failed to score under Postecoglou. Despite a solid start to the 202324 season, including victories over Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, this 30 loss was unexpected. A largely unchanged squad faced these inconsistencies, impacting their topfour aspirations with inconsistent performances in subsequent games.
A Look at PreInternational Break Defeats
| Month | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 23 | Wolves (a) | 12 |
| Mar 24 | Fulham (a) | 03 |
| Sep 24 | Newcastle (a) | 12 |
| Oct 24 | Brighton (a) | 23 |
| Nov 24 | Ipswich (h) | 12 |
| Mar 25 | Fulham (a) | 02 |
| Sep 25 | Bournemouth (h) | 01 |
The Way Forward Under Thomas Frank
Frank now faces the challenge of overturning this odd pattern. With a game against Leeds United ahead, Frank’s focus is on ensuring a solid performance to break the preinternational break jinx. In his recent press conference, Frank expressed optimism and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong mentality to achieve victory.
The Road Ahead for Tottenham Hotspur
As Tottenham aims to become a formidable force in elite competitions, overcoming these hurdles is crucial. Frank and his squad are committed to turning the tide and establishing themselves as serious contenders. The upcoming match offers an opportunity to set things right and move forward with renewed confidence.
Emegypt will continue to provide updates and analyses as Tottenham navigates this critical phase.