Tottenham fans are right to be divided on Thomas Frank - he needs to win them over

View 3 Images

There is no getting away from it: Tottenham fans are divided on Thomas Frank. And their lame, dismal performance in the North London derby will certainly not have helped his case.

Yes, it’s only November. And yes, it’s far too early to judge. Way too early. They are ninth in the table but have had some big wins, including at Manchester City . And they are in the Champions League top ten with two wins and two draws. That’s impressive.

But the reason Tottenham supporters are uncertain on Frank is the style of play. I’ve never known a fan base suddenly take such interest in XG.

They have recorded the two lowest expected goals totals in a Premier League game this season, 0.07 against Arsenal and 0.1 against Chelsea at the start of November.

That is pitiful for a club which is all about the glory. All about the game and the entertainment. It’s not happening. That is what they are talking about. Tottenham have been woeful on occasions this season. Arsenal, Chelsea and Wolves . Terrible. Really bad.

I’m in a WhatsApp group with a Spurs supporting pal. He’s not having Frank one bit. How we laughed at him when Tottenham were ahead against Manchester United (the game before the international break). Crisis club Spurs up to second.

But actually they drew and the good one work was undone. Next up Arsenal and they got smashed 4-1.

I live in North London and two long standing pals (season ticket holders by the way) are split on him. They give their managers a chance. They were fully invested in Ange Postecoglou. I told them what they were getting in Frank from his time at Brentford.

Good guy, likeable fella but fully invested in set-pieces, stats and moments. Brentford were never free-flowing like Tottenham aspire to be. But that was Brentford. They are giving him time but they’re not fully convinced. Not by a long way. He’s got to win them over.

View 3 Images

You are supposed to be better with better players. Tottenham’s squad is not great - and that was highlighted by the gulf in class against Arsenal. It needs time and work.

This is not me just listening to social media. That’s a dangerous path. I always engage so I always take notice. But to get a rounded view I always try to speak to fans who go to games.

Another big pal who is in the posh seats is not having him one bit. Why? Because of the style of play. We’ve been here before with Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho . Tottenham fans want to be entertained.

I’m sick and tired of people who knock that. If that’s in the club’s identity, then who are we to doubt it? They are the fans and it’s their club. Then if you cannot be entertained, they at least want to see effort. And that was the point on Sunday.

I listened to Frank’s post-match press conference. He talked about a lack of aggression and not winning duels. That was the reason he gave for the defeat. That was his explanation about a lack of fight in the first half. He said they did battle, they just didn’t win duels.

View 3 Images

Correct me if I’m wrong here, but you have to show fight to win duels. You can have off days at the start of a journey. But you can’t have them in derbies. Totally unacceptable.

As was their performance on Sunday. It was nowhere near good enough. Frank got the tactics wrong and then, at 2-0, it was so obvious some players turned to the bench before the restart as their body language said: “What the hell’s happening here?”

I really like Frank. I want him to succeed. Nice guy, good manager and someone who will improve a club and his players. He talked after the Arsenal game about being four months in to the journey. Arteta is six years in. And that’s very fair.

Tottenham must show patience. But Frank must ensure that his players - whatever else - show fight, better performances and, above all, entertain.

The jury is out. But Frank and Tottenham must show a big response after Sunday.