Thomas Frank had to go. Last night showed why. As is usual with dismissed managers, stories will inevitably emerge highlighting issues around his management and a reported disconnect with certain players. But players have to take responsibility, too.
Before seeing Frank and Matthew Benham at Brentford once, I watched training and walked in with the players. They all stood or sat in the boot-room, all engaged in a serious conversation about training, about the game ahead. They struck me as a group of individuals prepared to take responsibility individually and collectively. They continue to do so at Brentford and at other clubs they've joined (eg Mbeumo at United). That’s credit to Brentford’s recruitment and the culture developed there.
Spurs is obviously a different level - something that Frank failed to grasp - but recruitment needs to focus on bringing in more leaders and responsibility-takers in the future. Spurs captain is currently serving a four-game ban for a reckless tackle. Spurs fans deserved better leadership from Frank. They’re still owed better leadership from some of their players. Frank was a problem, but not the only one. #THFC
"We're coming back, equalising, 1-1. At that stage it's an open game and that's where we need to understand, yes, we need to do everything we can to win, but we can't concede a goal like we conceded a goal." football.london/tottenham-hots…
Asked Thomas Frank why teams low on confidence and in poor runs of form are constantly ending those runs against his Spurs side: "I think maybe there's a theme. I think we've lost definitely too many games at home. There's no doubt about that. (contd)
FT: #thfc 1-2 Newcastle. Dreadful. Relegation very much a real & present danger now. Frank endured boos at HT, FT, loud 'sacked in the morning chants' (from those fans who had stayed) and songs about Pochettino. The hierarchy's faith in him put to ultimate test now
@panks_79 What product will they even be advertising? They’ll be having to delay as long as possible to be sure what division they’ll be charging for. Utter mess
Wait… who actually starts on Tuesday for us? 😂
Davies injury looked awful, Gray off injured half time, Xavi limping through mix zone so could be a doubt too, Gallagher not registered, Palhinha might still be injured, I think Tel still replaces Solanke so Solanke not available too, Bissouma not registered…
Only hope is Sarr can play in a couple days after AFCON final tonight but that’s asking a lot
Vicario
Spence Romero VDV Udogie
Odobert Bergvall Sarr (if he can play, if not then who???) Tel
Kolo Muani Scarlett
Spurs woeful in attack. Kudus constantly running into two or three Forest players rather than passing to team-mates who must be free. Richarlison holding nothing up when he does get the ball and Xavi struggling to do much with it. Kolo Muani the only one making any impact.
My first half Spurs player ratings are now in our live match blog below. The visitors have offered nothing so far other than hopeful punts up the pitch. football.london/arsenal-fc/fix…
This from Simon Taufel is really interesting:
"The conclusive evidence protocols with RTS - if you get a spike up to one frame past the bat, that is conclusive. In this particular case, that's what was there. A spike RTS after one frame past the bat, the batter has got to go.”
The fact Smith was walking suggests he probably hit it, but this simply isn’t enough evidence to give it.
Might be that the technology is out of sync, but if this is what the TV umpire bases his decision on it’s understandable England would feel aggrieved.
You can’t be a “defensively solid” team and not know how to keep possession… it’s a myth. Top teams know how to keep the ball away from you and dictate the game. Bottom half teams look to sit back and hope for a goal from nothing
@panks_79 Was in the away end and didn’t think this at all! Might be in a minority but thought we actually played alright bar 2 silly mistakes. All about opinions
The body language of the players is a real concern. They aren’t up for the fight and they don’t look like they care.
It’s completely unacceptable.
Losing is one thing and any fan can accept that’s sport, but, playing without any heart and real desire is a disgrace.