Thomas Frank has come under pressure after Tottenham Hotspur lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest, but former Spurs striker Gary Lineker has urged fans to be patient
Gary Lineker has called for patience regarding Thomas Frank's future. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker suggests that only the club's board truly understands the level of pressure surrounding their head coach.
Increasing scrutiny follows another disappointing display and outcome at the weekend. Sunday's 3-0 thrashing by Nottingham Forest saw Spurs crumble under pressure, with Callum Hudson-Odoi netting twice before Ibrahim Sangare added the third.
Managing just a solitary shot on target throughout the entire match, supporters have grown worried not only about results but also the lack of attacking intent demonstrated under Frank's leadership thus far. That has placed the coach under early scrutiny from fans, who are demanding improvements in both performances and results in the coming weeks.
Former Spurs owner Alan Sugar even suggested that the board needed to fire Frank and replace him with Jurgen Klopp. Lineker, however, believes it is premature to question the Dane's future, arguing that only the ownership truly knows where he stands. On The Rest Is Football podcast, he asked: "Do you think Thomas Frank is under pressure or not?
"The truth is, when we say these things, only the owners know really, don't they? They've had a decent week, going OK in the Champions League, generally, but one or two good results, it's a bit up and down, isn't it? But it's like all these... You need time, don't you? You need time."
Micah Richards then added: "There are only four points between 12th and fifth. 26 points [Crystal] Palace are on, and Spurs are on 22 points. So you know you can have a good week. Around Christmas time, normally, obviously, it's more ferocious – only one game on Boxing Day, but normally around that Christmas period, you can change it around, can't you?
"And [Frank's] only four points off fifth place, where when we're making our predictions at the start of the season, Spurs are fourth, fifth, sixth, in that. So they're on track for where they need to be – I just think the fans are a little bit disappointed in the football that they are seeing, so that's where the pressure comes from."
Lineker highlighted the shift in approach from Ange Postecoglou to Frank, whilst also acknowledging their difficulties during the previous campaign. He said: "Well, they were very gung-ho with obviously Ange Postecoglou, weren't they? We did get entertaining games one way or the other. Whereas I think Thomas is probably more pragmatic in his approach."
"But I can't see why he would be under pressure at the moment. You've got to remember as well that Tottenham finished 17th last season.
"Now I know that towards the latter stages of the competition, there was obviously a clear priority, and that was the Europa League, but having said that, they still did finish in 17th place. It's way too early, really. You've got to establish yourself at a football club; he's not really had one window yet.
"He came in halfway through, and one or two transfers mostly fell through, didn't they? Morgan Gibbs-White, [Eberechi] Eze, who ended up going to Arsenal. So that was difficult before you start. So cut him some slack, surely."
Whilst the Premier League table remains congested at the summit, offering Spurs a route back into European contention, this hinges on them rediscovering their rhythm. Defensive lapses have proved problematic, whilst their blunt attacking display have only magnified these shortcomings.
The supporters are not the only ones feeling the strain, as Frank has disclosed his anger following the Nottingham Forest setback. He said: "I think I do everything to control my emotions.
"There is a hurricane inside me, because it's deeply frustrating we are not doing better (here) after three good performances. I think it is extremely important to be calm and measured and, of course, have very direct and clear messages.
"We will say it at the right time, so they're not in doubt of what I think. I'm very honest about where we are as well. I was also very honest – this was a very bad performance. No two ways about that, but also know that to change this, this will take some time. No one will want to hear about that. It's just reality.
"I think the ones who have followed the club and the team, it's fair to say there's been a few not too consistent performances, and that's the thing. We are working very hard."