Tottenham Hotspur alleviated some of the pressure on Thomas Frank with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace but the overall consensus is that he got one of his team decisions wrong.
Archie Gray scored the only goal of the game with a 42nd minute header to register his first senior goal and put the visitors ahead. It was a closely-fought affair from then on with both sides going close and Richarlison twice had goals ruled out for offside.
Frank ended the year on a high with his side getting their first win since beating Brentford on December 6th. But there are still question marks over some of the manager's calls, such as using a summer signing on the wing.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Spurs: Kolo Muani Experiment Isn't Working
Frank continues to put Randal Kolo-Muani on Tottenham's left wing and the French striker isn't performing well in the role. He was a sight for sore eyes at times at Selhurst Park, rarely beating his man and failing to complete any of his four dribble attempts.
Kolo Muani who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain after a successful loan at Juventus has played in a left-wing role earlier in his career. But the 27-year-old doesn't look comfortable out wide and he made little to no impact with 26 touches, less than Frank's goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Wilson Odobert came on for Kolo Muani in the 63rd minute and with a winger available it's odd to see Frank persist with the France international. Tonight's display should serve as a wake-up call for the Danish coach especially when last season's top scorer, Brennan Johnson is on the bench but seemingly up for sale.
Spurs turn their attention to Frank's former club Brentford next (January 1) where he'll make his first return to the Gtech Community Stadium since leaving the Bees for the Lilywhites. If he wants to keep the winning momentum going, it's clear from tonight's showing, that he needs to make the ruthless decision and axe Kolo Muani and place his faith in either Odobert (pictured above) or Johnson.
Kolo Muani Frustrates Spurs Fans
While Spurs fans were in a jubilant mood overall after watching their side get back to winning ways, they were still unimpressed with Kolo Muani's outing. Many were calling for the French forward to be brought off at half time, including one who wanted Mathys Tel to come on for the second half:
"My god Kolo Muani has been awful.Get Mathys Tel on in the 2nd half."
One fan gave a grim verdict of the striker who was handed a 5/10 rating by GIVEMESPORT:
"Kolo Muani is so so bad."
Another supporter called out the entire team but pointed out Kolo Muani's lack of composure on the ball:
"Like every game recently. We are not a football team and I cannot understand how the players cant do more.Kolo Muani is incapable of controlling a football. Gray doesn’t show for the ball enough. Constant bad decisions.But I guess we are winning so whatever."
One echoed this:
"Kolo Muani allergic to possession?"
Another fan highlighted the former Eintracht Frankfurt man playing out of position:
"Kolo Muani shocking. Take him off or change his position."
One added:
"Who signed off on the Kolo Muani signing?"
Kolo Muani joined Spurs on loan from PSG and a return to the Parc des Princes is desired by one fan come the end of the season:
"I’m okay with Kolo Muani never playing a minute for us again."
Another added:
"I've never seen Kolo Muani do a single noteworthy thing in his spurs career."
One fan was dissapointed with the Frenchman's performance:
"Palace just seem to want it more than us. Kolo Muani has been woeful aside from that run just now."
Odobert (above) came on and put in an impressive cameo appearance that should see him displace Kolo Muani on the left side of Frank's attack. His pace was a real issue for the Palace defence and a front-three of the Frenchman, Richarlison and Johnson could be the way to go for the North Londoners heading into the new year.