Fans booing and players snubbing the manager – an ‘abject’ day for Spurs

On the surface, Tottenham are having a good year.

Thomas Frank’s side are now in the top four of the Premier League and unbeaten in the Champions League after ten games.

However, recent results have turned ugly and the atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has changed.

Frank encouraged his players to do a lap of applause around the stadium following Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to Chelsea, just like he does every other home game.

Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence were caught on camera sneering at their manager and going straight down the tunnel as his players were booed off the pitch.

Frank described the incident as “all the players are obviously frustrated.” I fully understand that they would like to do well, they would like to win, and they would like to perform well.

In good and bad times, I believe consistency is challenging. I did that because I surrounded the fans. I can assure you that winning is more enjoyable.

When asked about Van de Ven and Spence’s responses and whether their response was acceptable, he said, “I think that is one of the small issues. Micky and Djed are exerting every effort.

Spurs, which finished 17th in the Premier League last season, came into Frank’s place with three victories and three clean sheets.

The Dane has repeatedly argued that Tottenham Hotspur Stadium should be “a fortress,” but his defeat to Chelsea leaves Spurs with just one of their five home games.

Since beginning the season with victories against Burnley and Manchester City, they have only won one of their last five games in all competitions since the October international break, which means they haven’t won back-to-back league games.

Spurs’ poor home form follows a trend that began last season under Ange Postecoglou: they have won just three of their past 19 home Premier League games (four draws and 12 losses), and no top-flight team has won more home games since 10 November 2024.

In fact, only Spurs and Southampton have won fewer home games than Spurs during this time in England’s top four divisions.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green stated on BBC Radio 5 Live that “there will be more questions about Thomas Frank after the game.”

Because of how terrible of a performance on the ball it was, I don’t think he’ll have learned anything from that.” They never allowed themselves to succeed. They never improved. It’s simply not sufficient to have no consistent pressure at home.

Jamie Redknapp, a former Spurs midfielder, described the defeat as “one of the worst performances I’ve seen from Tottenham,” according to Sky Sports.

He continued, “That was as simple as it gets.” I would have stopped it if it had been a boxing match. Never did they glove Chelsea up. They made it so simple.

Fans reacted in his manner by making their feelings known and blaring at the end of the match.

Frank expressed his appreciation for the frustration of his supporters but demanded patience as his party grows.

The fans made every effort to support us in a game that we didn’t do well in. He claimed that Chelsea was a better team at the time.

“We have a front four that is new, without a doubt, and I keep saying that.” In games, we must collaborate and build quickly. That is what we will do. That will happen, I have no doubts about.

Every team I’ve coached has scored a lot of goals, in my opinion. In the future, it will occur right here.

Only Wolves (four) have conceded more errors to opponents this season than Tottenham, who have scored three, along with Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Fulham. This isn’t Frank’s only problem.

In the following week, Tottenham will have two chances to make amends at home, playing against Manchester United and Copenhagen in the Premier League.

Frank has undoubtedly improved after a terrible league campaign last year. However, more must be done to enhance both the north of London’s results and the mood.

After his side’s xG rating of 0.05, Frank said, “I don’t think I have been in a game where we have created that little.”