The Mirror

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank is looking to rectify Spurs' home Premier League struggles when the Europa League winners host his former employers Brentford on Saturday afternoon

Thomas Frank admits he's felt the weight of extra pressure since swapping Brentford for Tottenham. The Dane, who spent nine years bossing the Bees, knows only victory will do today against his former employers.

After almost six months in his new role in N17, he concedes the period of adaptation has not come without stress. Frank said: "Definitely, definitely I’ve felt that.

"It hasn’t surprised me because I knew that was the difference when I walked into it. But like anything else, you don’t know it before you’re standing in it. Like really know it. So now I know it's ‘okay, it’s like this,' and then we deal with it."

The 52-year-old tactician has now won just eight of his opening 22 matches in the Tottenham hot-seat. Additionally, his side have picked up just one sole victory - on the first day of the season against Burnley - from seven Premier League home encounters.

Frank actually boasted a better points-per-game ratio at both Brentford and Brondby and he's now acknowledged that he's still yet to determine his strongest Spurs XI.

When quizzed on whether that was the case, he replied: "Yes, I think it’s fair. I’ve got an idea of quite a few positions but I also think there’s competition so it's not that easy all the time to say 'okay, it's just those 11' because you need more than 11 players.

"Normally you see most teams find their strongest team and it will usually be those nine players all the time and then maybe change two, sometimes it's 10."

At Brentford, Frank was used to playing just once per week, occasionally twice but he would regularly oversee a full week of training.

Saturday's contest will represent Tottenham's fourth game in just 11 days and the gruelling festive schedule only gets tougher from here on in.

In his view, the fixture pile-up is the toughest challenge he's had to navigate since moving across the capital.

He continued: "I think the biggest difference obviously now is the amount of games, I think that’s the biggest thing, the short turnaround.

"Of course I experienced it during Covid, we had 21 games in a row, that was Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Wednesday and so on. With a lot of travelling, that’s heavy.

"Nailing the message, nailing the team and all that bit, how you create a side that should be more and more in sync when you also need to rotate, that's the challenge."

Tottenham have no fresh injury concerns ahead of hosting Keith Andrews' side after Destiny Udogie and Brennan Johnson both came through unscathed following small fitness worries at Newcastle.

Spurs are looking for their first win in six in all competitions. Only Wolves (one) have claimed fewer home points in the Premier League this term.

Destiny Udogie has spoken for the first time since allegedly being threatened with a gun in London in September, thanking the Premier League club for their response

Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie has thanked the club for their support after he was allegedly threatened with a gun by a football agent. The Italy international is alleged to have been threatened on September 6, with police called at 11.14pm.

"We have been providing support for Destiny and his family since the incident and will continue to do so," a Spurs spokesperson said in November. The club indicated not much more could be said at the time as it was an ongoing legal matter, but Udogie himself has spoken about the way the club have helped him through the ordeal.

“The club showed me good support and was next to me every day,” Udogie told The Athletic. “I’m really grateful to them for what they have done and for keeping me and my family safe. It’s really good for me.

“Obviously, it was important (to feel that support). Because it’s a new city for me. It’s my third year (at Spurs) but obviously London is a big city. So to be here with my family and my daughter, it’s good to have the club around me.

"It was not something I’d wish on anyone," the former Udinese star added. "It was a shock. But it’s OK, now we look forward.”

Udogie, who was part of Spurs' Europa League winning squad last season, has played 15 times for the North London club this term. He has missed part of the season through injury but started the last three league games under Thomas Frank.

"It is a terrible situation to have been in and I can't speak too much about it as it's a legal case, as we know, but the club and we have done everything we can to support him," Frank said when asked about the defender in early November. "We'll do that and he's clearly doing well on the pitch, which is good and we'll keep supporting him."

Frank gave Udogie the full 90 minutes on Tuesday as Spurs twice came from behind to draw with Newcastle United. Next up is a London derby against Brentford, with their under-pressure manager chasing a first league win in six.

"It's nice timing to get the three points on Saturday. The one way to win is to put in the good performance in there," the Danish boss said ahead of the game against his former club.

"Work on the things we're constantly working on, phase two, phase three, making it quicker. Be sharper, quicker and more penetration when we need to have that. Play with intensity, brave, and we're looking forward to it."

Newcastle were awarded a 'harsh' penalty after an intervention by the video assistant referee against Tottenham. Rodrigo Bentancur was judged to have fouled Dan Burn in the area as he stopped his run, while not looking at the ball.

Thomas Bramall pointed to the spot after being handed a second look by VAR, having initially not blown his whistle over the incident. Anthony Gordon then converted the resultant spotkick to hand Newcastle a late lead at St James' Park.

Premier League match centre explained: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no penalty to Newcastle United. Referee announcement: 'After review, Tottenham number 30 makes a holding offence at the back post and clearly does not look at the ball. My final decision is penalty kick.'"

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher felt it was a cruel decision. "I do feel the penalty award was really harsh," he said on commentary.

"I do understand he wasn't looking at the ball, but at the end it was the sheer power of Dan Burn, who is so much bigger and stronger than him...Burn was almost putting him on the floor."

Despite the incident occurring in the 86th minute, Spurs found a way back into the game. Cristian Romero scored a dramatic overhead kick to earn a point for Thomas Frank in the 95th minute.

The Argentine defender had already scored earlier in the evening to level the scores after 78 minutes. Bruno Guimaraes had come off the bench to initially hand Newcastle the lead after Spurs failed to record a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.

"Newcastle will be furious," said Carragher following Newcastle's equaliser. "Tottenham have had two shots on target and two goals."

"Wow! It isn't the greatest connection, it has come off his shin!" he added on Romero's strike. "How has that gone in? Newcastle will be kicking themselves."

Despite the result, Jonathan Woodgate believes Frank will be unhappy with Tottenham's performance. The ex-Newcastle and Tottenham defender did give credit to the Lilywhites, however.

"I just didn't think Tottenham were good in all parts of the game, whether offensively or defensively. They didn't really want to pass," said Woodgate on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Newcastle seemed to drive the game much more than Spurs. When Bruno Guimaraes came on and scored I thought they were going to go on win.

"Then you have to give Spurs credit, they didn't give up, they kept on going and the captain comes up with two goals.

"It's a really strange game from a Spurs points of view and Thomas Frank won't have been happy with that display."

Jamie Carragher believes Marco Silva deserves a chance at managing at a bigger club and has mentioned Tottenham as a potential destination amid the pressure on Thomas Frank

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Fulham boss Marco Silva would be ideal for a club like Tottenham Hotspur amid ongoing uncertainty around Thomas Frank's future. The Danish head coach replaced Ange Postecoglou in the dugout earlier this summer, but his side have struggled in recent weeks.

The 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham at the weekend means only Wolves have a worse home record than Frank's side in the Premier League this season. Spurs were two down after just six minutes when Harry Wilson capitalised on a mistake from Guglielmo Vicario.

The Italian goalkeeper lost the ball on the edge of his box and Wilson curled the ball into the back of the net. The next time the Spurs goalkeeper touched the ball, there were boos from the home crowd, which left Frank and Pedro Porro furious.

"I didn't like that our fans booed at him [Vicario] straight after and a few times he touched the ball," Frank said in his post-match press conference. "They can't be true Tottenham fans because everyone supports each other when you are on the pitch.

"And we do everything we can to perform. After, fair enough, boo, no problem. But not during. That's unacceptable in my opinion."

Reports from The Telegraph claim Spurs held an emergency meeting to discuss the disconnect with fans last month, and ahead of the trip to Newcastle, Frank said: "I completely understand the frustration.

"If we don't win there will always be a frustration. We have not won much at home this season - and also last -so the frustration can grow. It's my job to do what we can to have calm.

"We are nothing without fans. Tottenham Hotspur is nothing without the fans. My point was that during matches we need each other. Afterwards the booing can be fair. During, then we need to make it a fortress and, to do that, we all need to be together."

A fresh report from The Sun says some Spurs stars are frustrated with Frank's tactics with players confused over their roles due to changes in plans at short notice. However, Frank claims to have the full backing of the Spurs' hierarchy, but there is growing speculation about his future.

Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher said: "I’ve always been a fan of Marco Silva, even when he first came to the Premier League with Hull. I think he’s the one manager Everton should’ve stuck with, when they kept changing manager under [Farhad] Moshiri and the owner, he was the one I liked.

"I’ve always seen Marco Silva [as the level of] Tottenham – not quite to go from a [club like] Fulham to Liverpool or Manchester City, or a team that can compete for the league, but a level just below where they are trying for Champions League = maybe a club like Aston Villa.

"That will be the next step for him in the Premier League, and I think he deserves one of those jobs when they next come up."

Thomas Frank makes feelings clear after Tottenham players' crisis talks - 'We are nothing'

Thomas Frank was vocal about Tottenham's supporters' actions over the weekend, but the Spurs boss has insisted that his squad need the fan-base on side.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has admitted he understands the frustrations of his side's supporters due to their poor home form so far this season. Spurs have won just one of their seven Premier League games this term - with that coming against Burnley.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Fulham means only Wolves have a worse home record than Frank's squad this campaign. The north Londoners currently find themselves 12th in the table, six points off the top four places.

Spurs conceded twice inside six minutes against London rivals Fulham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium -compounding a miserable week after defeats to Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. It was also their 10th home defeat of 2025 in the Premier League alone.

Fulham's second goal came from Guglielmo Vicario losing possession outside his box, resulting in Harry Wilson curling the ball into an empty net. When the ball next went to the Italian, sections of the Spurs fans booed him, leaving Frank and Pedro Porro furious.

"I didn't like that our fans booed at him [Vicario] straight after and a few times he touched the ball," Frank said in his post-match press conference. "They can't be true Tottenham fans because everyone supports each other when you are on the pitch.

"And we do everything we can to perform. After, fair enough, boo, no problem. But not during. That's unacceptable in my opinion." In an Instagram post uploaded on Sunday afternoon, Porro said: "Football is emotions. In football, as in life, there can always be mistakes.

"What I will not tolerate is hearing disrespect from the fans to my team-mates, hence my frustration at the end of the game. And we will get up. We remind you, six months ago, everything was so bad. In the end, it is not how it begins but how it ends. To the true Spurs fans, I love you."

Ahead of Tuesday night's game against Newcastle, reports from The Telegraph stated Tottenham players had held an emergency meeting to discuss the disconnect with fans last month. It's said that the subject of Spurs supporters was the key theme in a players' meeting following the narrow loss to Chelsea on November 1.

The report also argues that the Spurs players have adopted a new convention where they gather together in the centre circle at the end of the first half and leave the pitch together. Speaking ahead of the trip to Newcastle, Frank talked about the relationship with supporters after previously admitting he didn't like the boos directed at Vicario.

"I completely understand the frustration," he said. "If we don't win there will always be a frustration. We have not won much at home this season - and also last -so the frustration can grow. It's my job to do what we can to have calm.

"We are nothing without fans. Tottenham Hotspur is nothing without the fans. My point was that during matches we need each other. Afterwards the booing can be fair. During, then we need to make it a fortress and, to do that, we all need to be together."

Tottenham conceded twice during six shambolic minutes on Saturday night as Fulham claimed a 2-1 victory with fans turning on goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario after his error

Everything you need to know about the Tottenham's squad emergency meeting amid Saturday's dismal defeat to Fulham

Player emergency meeting: Following a previous defeat to Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur players held an emergency meeting to address a "critical issue." The central theme of this discussion was the growing disconnect and poor relationship between the squad and the club's supporters.

Vicario booing incident: The controversy was reignited after the 2-1 loss to Fulham, specifically following goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario's error which led to the opposition's second goal. When Vicario next touched the ball, a section of the Spurs fanbase responded by booing him.

Thomas Frank's stance: Manager Thomas Frank was visibly upset by the fans' reaction, strongly condemning those who booed the goalkeeper during the game. He went on to state that supporters who act in this manner "can't be true Tottenham fans" and deemed the behaviour "unacceptable."

Pedro Porro's defence: Spurs defender Pedro Porro publicly defended Vicario and expressed his frustration with the booing fans in a subsequent Instagram post. He clarified that while mistakes are an inherent part of football and life, he will not tolerate disrespect being shown toward his teammates.

New solidarity convention: In response to the negative atmosphere, the Spurs players have adopted a new ritual to demonstrate team solidarity amongst themselves. They now gather together in the centre circle at the end of the first half and leave the pitch as one unit, regardless of the mood in the stadium.

Form and recent results: The loss to Fulham capped a miserable week for the team, which included recent defeats to strong opponents like Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. This result also marked the team's fourth loss in six Premier League games and their tenth home league defeat of the current year.

Historical tension: The reported tension between the current crop of players and supporters is, unfortunately, not a new development at the club. According to the report, this strained relationship with the fan base has been a recurring concern for previous Tottenham squads over the years.

Call for unity and perspective: Porro's social media statement concluded with a call for perspective and greater unity amongst the "true Spurs fans." He reminded them that the team had overcome significant struggles in the past and urged them to focus on how the season ultimately ends.

Read the full story: Tottenham stars hold emergency meeting over 'critical issue' after Thomas Frank controversy

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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.

Thomas Frank described Tottenham Hotspur supporters who booed Guglielmo Vicario during the 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday as 'not true fans' after the goalkeeper's error

Tottenham Hotspur players held an emergency meeting to discuss the disconnect with the club’s fans last month. Spurs conceded twice during six shambolic minutes on Saturday night as Fulham claimed a 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The victory capped off a miserable week for Thomas Frank’s side after defeats at Arsenal and Paris St Germain and it is now four losses in six Premier League matches. It was also Spurs’ 10th home defeat of 2025 in the Premier League, and they have never lost more than 10 home league games in a year in their history.

The main talking point from Saturday's game was Fulham's second goal when Guglielmo Vicario lost possession well outside of his box. Harry Wilson eventually curled the ball into the unguarded net after the goalkeeper failed to clear the danger.

Moments later when the ball came to Vicario again, some Spurs fans booed him. That action left Frank and Pedro Porro furious after the game.

And according to the Telegraph, the subject of Spurs supporters was the key theme in a players’ meeting following the defeat by Chelsea on November 1. The disconnect between players and supporters is, according to the report, viewed as critical within the squad.

The report also claims that the Spurs players have adopted a new convention where they gather together in the centre circle at the end of the first half and leave the pitch together. The reason behind the move is that it demonstrates their solidarity regardless of the atmosphere inside the stadium.

It is claimed that this is not the first set of Spurs players to have held concerns over their relationships with the club’s fans and that it has been an issue in previous years. Speaking after Saturday’s game, Frank described Tottenham supporters who booed Vicario as "not true fans" and deemed it "unacceptable".

He said: "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.

"And we do everything we can to perform. After, fair enough, boo, no problem. But not during. That's unacceptable in my opinion."

While in an Instagram post on Sunday afternoon, Porror said: “Football is emotions. In football, as in life, there can always be mistakes.

“What I will not tolerate is hearing disrespect from the fans to my team-mates, hence my frustration at the end of the game.

“And we will get up. We remind you, six months ago, everything was so bad. In the end, it is not how it begins but how it ends. To the true Spurs fans, I love you.”

Tottenham have endured a disappointing start to the season under Thomas Frank, and former midfielder Jamie O'Hara has made a damning assessment of the manager's reign

Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara has suggested Thomas Frank may be out of his depth at the club after a difficult start to his reign in North London. The ex-Brentford manager replaced Ange Postecoglou in the summer but has struggled to make his mark.

Spurs have managed just five victories, three draws and five losses from their first 13 Premier League fixtures. Sunday's 2-1 home defeat to Fulham marked their third loss in seven days, after setbacks against Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

The way Frank's team collapsed against the Cottagers was particularly concerning. They shipped two goals in the opening 10 minutes through glaring defensive mistakes, and could have conceded far more.

Mohammed Kudus gave Spurs brief hope in the second period with a stunning strike to pull one back. However, it proved insufficient to rescue a point, as the visitors managed to cling on for victory.

Taking to social media platform X following the defeat, O'Hara questioned whether the manager is equipped for such a demanding role. He also identified three key issues behind the team's poor form.

"I'm starting to think the job is too big for Thomas Frank," he posted. "But our recruitment has been so bad; these players just aren't good enough and most of them are way off it. Big problems."

In a bid to bolster their squad, the club secured permanent deals for Xavi Simons, Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso and Kota Takai, while Joao Palhinha and Randal Kolo Muani were brought in on loan.

However, the failure to sign Morgan Gibbs-White and Ebere Eze was a significant setback for the club's top brass. Both players seemed set to join at various points over the summer, but the deals fell through at the last minute due to different issues.

Nottingham Forest were left disgruntled when Gibbs-White's release clause was activated, with the England international eventually renewing his contract at the City Ground. The attempt to sign Eze was thwarted at the eleventh hour by fierce rivals Arsenal.

Now, Frank's team are bracing themselves for another challenging series of matches in the run-up to Christmas. They're set to face Newcastle United midweek before the gaffer squares off against his old club Brentford for the first time.

Following games against Slavia Prague and Nottingham Forest, they'll also be hosting Liverpool next month. With their Premier League form inconsistent, and the Champions League posing a difficult challenge, Frank's hope of winning a trophy this season may lie entirely in the FA Cup.

Spurs were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle. Premier League teams will enter the FA Cup in the third round draw.

TOTTENHAM 1-2 FULHAM: Spurs have still only won one Premier League home match all season on the opening day of the campaign against Burnley as two early goals were enough for the visitors to leave with the victory

Thomas Frank claimed on Thursday that he wants to make the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a fortress. You have to admire his wishful thinking because Spurs have now won just three of their past 21 Premier League home matches after Fulham punished a wretched first-half defensive horror show.

Spurs were two goals down inside just six minutes and they've now conceded first in sixth successive home top-flight games for the first time since September 2003.

Mohammed Kudus restored a small slice of pride after Kenny Tete and Harry Wilson had struck for the Cottagers but it was a damning reflection of this side's current direction of travel under Frank that they never truly looked capable of wrestling things back.

The Dane's wilting Europa League champions look starved of all inspiration and they have now won just three of their past 13 matches in all competitions. It's scarcely believable that Tottenham, who were rightly booed off by their own supporters, have become scared of their own shadow on their own patch - in a £1billion state-of the-art stadium.

Fulham came into this clash as one of only two sides, alongside Wolves, yet to taste victory on the road in the Premier League this season. Perhaps unsurprisingly, basement boys Wolves' sole away point was banked against Spurs.

There were no signs of travel sickness, however, when the visitors forced themselves ahead after just four minutes. Kevin Danso's poor defensive header put the hosts under intense pressure and Fulham winger Samuel Chukwueze's wayward pass somehow evaded Lucas Bergvall, allowing right-back Kenny Tete to strike at goal. The Dutchman's effort then deflected off Destiny Udogie and wrong-footed Guglielmo Vicario. While the Tottenham No.1 was powerless for the opener, there was nowhere to hide for Fulham's second just two minutes later. Joachim Andersen sent a long punt up field, Vicario raced off his line to collect the ball and instead of hoofing it off the pitch, the Italian tried to be overly clever and shield off Raul Jimenez as he pressed the panicked shot-stopper.

Vicario then miscued his clearance which arrived at the feet of Josh King, who teed up Harry Wilson to apply a pinpoint 40-yard finish into the empty net. Marco Silva could not believe his luck as boos began to perforate the eardrums of Thomas Frank.

Remarkably, there appeared to be some late-coming fans that were still yet to even sit in their seats. They must have been tempted to turn around because it did not get any better from there. Spurs were playing lopsided with no left-winger as Richarlison tucked in alongside Randal Kolo Muani following their goalscoring exploits at PSG in midweek. It did not require a tactical genius to determine that it was a farcical mess.

Chukwueze's curling shot from the edge of the box then kissed the post before sarcastic cheers echoed around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Vicario finally hacked a clearance off the pitch.

Had it not been for stand-in captain Micky van de Ven, Silva's troops, who were tearing Spurs to shreds, would have been three goals to the good before the break.

Chukwueze profited on calamitous Pedro Porro's mistake before the centre-back made an expertly-timed, last-ditch tackle to prevent the Nigerian from scoring. Kudus sparked Tottenham back into life on 59 minutes when his venomous half volley flew in at the near post before Lucas Bergvall saw a glancing header cleared off the line.

Beyond that, Spurs never looked like scoring outside of a tame back-heel from Kolo Muani and they've now lost three successive London derbies for the first time since October 2021.