Keith Wyness is the former chief executive of Everton and Aston Villa. He says that Tottenham Hotspur’s move for Conor Gallagher shows the board is fully behind manager Thomas Frank. Speaking exclusively to the Inside Track podcast for Football Insider, Wyness sees the move as a clear attempt to help Frank steady the ship amidst a turbulent season. Inconsistent results and growing supporter frustration have marked this campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Hierarchy Backs Frank with £40m Conor Gallagher Capture
The north London club currently sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table. However, this reported £40 million investment shows the owners still trust their manager’s plans. They are not looking to replace him anytime soon.
Wyness highlights Gallagher’s grit and previous success during loan spells at Crystal Palace. He also notes his time with Atlético Madrid as proof that he can handle Frank’s rigorous demands.
The ex-CEO contrasts this planned recruitment with West Ham United’s recent market activity. He calls the Hammers’ moves desperate rather than strategic. By securing a player known for never stopping, Tottenham provides Frank with the specific tools he needs to wake up a tired squad.
Wyness thinks this reinforcement will give Spurs a decisive edge in their upcoming fixture against the Hammers, proving the board wants to stick with their manager. He believes the midfielder’s arrival is just the start of the January window. The club must now bring in more players to salvage their campaign.
“It was confirmed that Gallagher is going to come to Spurs. And that’s exactly what I mean about the Tottenham hierarchy backing Thomas Frank.
“So, Gallagher is a hard-working player. He did well at Atletico Madrid, he was well-liked, but certainly did really well at Palace. And I think he will fit Thomas Frank very well. He’s a hard-working player, which is probably the best I can say about him.
“But I think at £40 million, that’s a big sign of backing for Thomas Frank. If there are a couple more, and I do expect another couple for Spurs, that’s going to be a big sign for him. I think having him come in to freshen up the squad as well against West Ham will give Spurs that bit of an edge.
“And so I expect to see Spurs win that game, but it’s a tricky one. But certainly freshening up Spurs is going to be important, and we’re seeing those signs. Whereas the freshening up in West Ham seems more desperate rather than actually strategic, freshening up in my point of view.”
Getting the Best out of Gallagher
Thomas Frank must now put Gallagher’s non-stop energy directly into the central midfield. This will sharpen Tottenham’s pressing and defensive transitions. The England international is great at breaking up opposition buildup play through relentless harrying. This will allow Frank to push the team higher up the pitch without worrying about getting caught on the break.
Placing the 25-year-old alongside a more disciplined defensive pivot lets the manager give his creative players more license to roam. He knows the new signing will cover every blade of grass to plug gaps effectively. Frank should tell Gallagher to make late runs into the penalty area. He can use his instinct for finding space to score much-needed goals from midfield.
This tactical shift forces opponents to track deep runners. This creates pockets of space for Spurs’ forwards to exploit in the final third. By asking Gallagher to win the ball back quickly, Frank can shift the team’s identity. He can move from slow possession to fast counter-attacking football.
This approach uses the midfielder’s work rate to win physical battles. It ensures Tottenham take control of matches rather than just reacting to the opposition. Success depends on Frank giving Gallagher the license to roam and destroy. This will turn the team’s fragile spine into a tough, hard-to-beat unit that controls the pitch.