Tottenham boss Thomas Frank took the unwise decision to call out Spurs fans following their defeat by Fulham - and it could cost him dear
Thomas Frank took a step down a very dangerous path after Tottenham’s latest setback.
To round on the Spurs fans in the stadium for booing Guglielmo Vicario after the Tottenham keeper’s blunder against Fulham was a serious mistake.
You can call out the fans. Ask them to be louder. Try to whip them up for the good of the team. But once you go toe-to-toe with the supporters, it’s a long way back.
And to question whether they are “true Tottenham fans” is a serious own goal. It also adds two the mounting pressure and question marks from the same supporters who he needs more than ever.
Frank said to Sky Sports after the game: “I didn't like that our fans booed at him [Vicario] straight after and a few times he touched the ball. They can't be true Tottenham fans because everyone supports each other when you are on the pitch.”
Here’s what a true fan looks like: one that thinks about the team every waking moment. Went to the game desperate to see a better performance after two thumping defeats against Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain.
They spend thousands of pounds each season on tickets, travel, programmes and the bloody club shirt. Honestly, to question fans in that stadium is a really bad move.
And yes, I did see him try to explain the comments afterwards. I’m not sure you can.
I do think there’s a difference between the match-going fan and those on social media. Of course they are entitled to a view. But if you get a hate campaign say, for example, against Brennan Johnson then call it out.
Johnson deleted his Instagram account and then immediately improved his form on the pitch. Seriously, who needs that?
Personally, I’ve never felt that booing helps. Yes, I’ve been a fan (hard to believe) and I don’t like those who boo. Ge behind the team. Especially during the sacred 90 minutes.
Boo them off at half time. At full time if you need to. But don’t do it during the game and don’t turn on the player.
Frank would have been well within his rights to say I want fans to back Vicario. We need you more than ever in difficult times. Stick to the script.
But that line about true fans really stuck in my craw. Some fans will agree with Frank. But I know that some did not like it one bit - and they don’t agree with the booing, by the way.
Earlier this season, Thomas Tuchel called out England fans for not being loud enough against Wales at Wembley. The next game they gave him some friendly banter. They are probably never going to love him for it but no harm was done.
Why? Because he did not question their commitment or whether they were “true fans.” He just wanted them to turn up the volume.
I must say it feels like Frank is struggling. To get battered by Arsenal and then, three days later, beaten 5-3 by Paris Saint Germain. I actually think he got away with it against PSG.
The coverage was very sympathetic. Positives and so on. Well, they conceded five. Yes, it was PSG but they were hardly at their best. And there was Frank on Match of the Day saying how god the performance was. It was bizarre. They had just shipped five goals.
I thought the squad was better than it is proving to be. But Frank needs an upturn - and fast. And he needs those fans on his side. Questioning their support is not the way to go about it.