Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is under increasing pressure after just a few months in the job, with a lack of consistent results and struggles in front of goal seemingly costing his side
Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker has urged people to be patient over the future of Thomas Frank, while claiming that only the board will truly know how much pressure the manager is under. It comes after yet another lacklustre performance and result over the weekend.
A 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday saw Spurs slump in the face of pressure, as a brace from Callum Hudson-Odoi was followed up by an Ibrahim Sangare goal. With just one shot on target in the whole match, fans have been concerned not just by results, but by the lack of attacking initiative shown under Frank so far.
That has put the manager under some early pressure with the supporters, who want to see results and performances improve in the near future. For Lineker, however, it's too early to be questioning the future of the Danish head coach, who believes only the owners will know what his status is.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: "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 said: "There's 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 noted the change in style from Ange Postecoglou to Frank, while also pointing out the struggles they faced last season. 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."
Lineker added, though: "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, Eze, who ended up going to Arsenal. So that was difficult before you start. So cut him some slack surely."
While the Premier League table is still tight at the top, giving Tottenham a way back into the conversation for European qualification, that is still reliant on them finding some form. Errors at the back have been a concern, while the lack of cutting edge going forward has only underlined those issues.
It's not just the fans who have been left frustrated, however, as Frank himself has revealed his fury after the Nottingham Forest defeat. He told reporters: "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."
Attention will quickly have to turn towards the upcoming clash with Liverpool this Saturday evening, who have been struggling themselves. If Tottenham want to keep climbing up the table, then they will need to do their best to overcome the current champions in the race for the top four.