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Though a cup run is always nice, as Spurs' Europa League victory last season proved, Thomas Frank's focus has to be on improving the North Londoners' Premier League position.

Just four points from fifth spot

With 27 points to their name at present, they are far enough away from the bottom three so as not to be too concerned.

Indeed, the way West Ham, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers are playing at the moment, it would take a minor miracle for any one of the current bottom three to still be in the English top-flight next season.

That shouldn't take away from the fact that Spurs have been poor under the Dane's tutelage, though they do, somewhat unbelievably, remain just four points away from fifth spot despite being way down in 13th at present.

Just a short burst of form could see the North Londoners again pressing for a European place.

Postecoglou's mitigating circumstances

After hounding out Ange Postecoglou, even though a ton of injuries meant he did have mitigating circumstances with regards to results and performances, the Lilywhites faithful have wasted no time in turning on Frank.

He hasn't even been able to replicate Postecoglou's swashbuckling playing style, which might've papered over the cracks at the very least.

Indeed, one of the defining images of this or any season is when Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven completely ignored their manager after an insipid defeat to London rivals Chelsea.

It spoke volumes, whatever the Tottenham PR machine would have you believe.

Lange, not Frank, has questions to answer

However, one could also argue that Spurs fans' ire is somewhat misdirected and that Frank has become something of a fall guy at the club, in a not too dissimilar fashion to Postecoglou.

Johan Lange is a 46-year-old Dane who is the current sporting director at Tottenham, and has signed off deals on a number of players that are yet to come good for the club.

The roll call certainly doesn't make great reading for Lange, and with wider knowledge from the masses of his transfer involvement, the heat may well, temporarily at least, divert away from the manager.

To date, Lange has agreed deals totalling £293.5m, for the likes of Antonin Kinsky (£12.5m), Wilson Odobert (£25m), Mathys Tel (£37.3m - including his initial loan fee), Kevin Danso (£21m), Archie Gray (£30m), Dominic Solanke (£55m plus add-ons), Radu Dragusin (£26.7m), Lucas Bergvall (£8.5m) and Xavi Simons (£51.8m).

Not to mention the loans of Randal Kolo Muani (£7.8m), Joao Palhinha (£7m), Ashley Phillips (£2.5m), Yang Min Hyeok (£3.4m) and Kota Takai (£5m).

Though injuries have again played their part, with Solanke having been out long-term, and shorter-term injuries befalling one or two others, none have really lived up to the hype, so to speak.

Frank has to work with what he has

Of course, not every player is going to come into a new club and hit the ground running, particularly if they've come from a foreign league and need to adapt to a new culture, language and place to live on top of getting to grips with things on the pitch.

Though that can be a mitigating factor in one or two instances, to be getting recruitment wrong on so many occasions has to send a warning to other board members.

In Frank's defence, he can only work with what he has, and to that end, if the Lilywhites are going to enter the transfer market again this January, his own recommendations have to be spot on.

Apparent interest in 19-year-old Santos left-back Souza indicates that he and Lange are perhaps barking up the wrong tree again, and are taking punts on players that they hope will work out.

Response after Amorim sacking was telling

After Ruben Amorim was sacked on Monday by Manchester United, a job for which Frank was interviewed, the Dane's response was telling.

"It's very difficult to achieve sustainable success if you change key personnel in clubs, like the head coach and sporting directors," he was quoted as saying.

"If you think you have the right ones and are aligned, you have to do it over a long time, not one and a half years.

"For me, no matter what kind of title you have, it (transfer policy) always needs to be collaborative between the head coach, the sports director, ownership, leadership, whatever. So you're completely aligned in what you do."

It's difficult to decipher whether that's a deliberate jibe to those above him, or a plea to supporters to be a little more understanding of his situation, given that managers/head coaches are generally the ones to fall on their swords when things aren't going as well as can be expected.

That mutual respect is a two-way street, of course, so Frank needs to start getting a run of positive results quickly if he doesn't want to become another candidate to have fallen by the wayside after promising much but delivering little.

After their scoreless draw at Brentford on Thursday, Spurs are 12th in ‌the standings with just one win in their last ‌four league games.

During the stalemate, there were chants of "Boring, boring Tottenham" from fans, and Frank was greeted with a chorus of boos when he went to applaud ⁠travelling supporters.

Asked if he was enjoying his time in charge ‌of Tottenham, Frank told reporters on Friday: "When you need to ​put in a big, big shift and it’s not smooth, and it’s tough, it’s probably ‍difficult to enjoy it."

"If I run hard, I don't enjoy that moment but I know I need ‍to keep my ‌head down and run hard to get through it. We are in a situation where you need to run hard, to stay in it."

"When we look ⁠back on this spell or maybe this first year when it was tough, you'll think: 'What a learning, what an experience, it made us so much better for the future.' So the short answer is: no. The reality is you can't."

The Danish manager said he understood the frustrations of fans and believed success would change their attitude.

"When I put myself out of it and look down, I think: ‘What a ⁠privilege to be in charge of this fantastic ‌club in a period where it's a big transition'," Frank said.

"It's definitely a marathon, and it definitely seems like it's one of the more heavy miles I'm on now, but head ⁠down and keep going."

On Sunday, Spurs host seventh-placed ​Sunderland.

Some supporters will expect the club to react by questioning his future, but the reality behind the scenes is likely to be very different.

This is not a time they will want to be contemplating change, as Spurs’ hierarchy have been planning to double down on plans to back Frank with funds for the transfer market.

Senior figures at the club have viewed him as a long-term project manager. It would be a surprise to see them now judging him too harshly just four months into his tenure.

Frank himself highlighted the contrast in continuity after the painful Emirates loss, noting that Arsenal’s squad has been built and refined over six years, whereas Tottenham are still in the early stages of their own rebuild.

Even so, Spurs’ negative in-game approach has contributed to disjointed performances and concerns that momentum has stalled. And that is a reason Spurs fans will worry about Frank being left in charge.

Sources indicate that Tottenham are preparing for a significant January window, with up to £100 million potentially available through new investment.

That level of spending would be notable in a market many inside the game expect to be quieter than usual.

Spurs, however, feel they must act to build for future success, and the plan has been to support their manager, mirroring his vision.

Right now, missing out on Eberechi Eze seems more devastating than ever - but over the past month, recruitment conversations have accelerated across all areas of the squad.

An attacker is expected to be one of the first arrivals, with plans to sign at least one forward a priority to sharpen their cutting edge. The club also want to strengthen the left side of defence, an area that has been under review for several months.

A new midfielder is being discussed internally, and over the past two months, the club have tasked specialist recruitment staff with identifying goalkeepers who could provide stronger competition for Guglielmo Vicario.

Despite the relatively healthy budget, Spurs cannot fix every issue at once. Over the next fortnight, they will refine their target lists and identify the positions that require immediate attention once the window opens.

Interestingly, Frank has been expected to have influence over who arrives. Tottenham planned for him to deliver stability and long-term success, and as such, there would be a need for incoming players to align with his style and demands.

It would take a major U-turn to go back on those plans at this stage - but time will tell quite how rattled they are.

For all the disappointment so far, people close to the situation still believe it is not as bleak as it seems. Spurs sit only five points behind second-placed Chelsea - and this week they head to Paris Saint-Germain for a high-profile Champions League tie that could change the mood.

Tottenham know reinforcements are essential, while underperforming or unwanted players will also need to be moved on soon as they revamp the side.

Spurs seem to be at a crossroads both on and off the field and must decide how brave they can afford to be.

Tottenham - Arsenal  Flashscore.com

TOT - WHU | Tottenham v West Ham results, H2H stats | Football  Flashscore.com

West Ham United's dismal Premier League winless run extended to eight matches after a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium, with the result arresting Spurs' four-match losing run on the road in the league.

The home fans were crying out for a penalty after just seven minutes, alleging that Yves Bissouma had blocked Mohammed Kudus’ cross with his arm. That was waved away, and just before the quarter-hour mark, Spurs drew first blood.

Djed Spence sent a hopeful long ball for Mathys Tel to chase, and the Frenchman didn’t give up on it and forced Max Kilman into an error.

Tel composed himself to play a pass across the middle to countryman Wilson Odobert, who had time to take a touch from six yards before rolling into the net for his first league goal in Tottenham colours.

The Hammers responded well, and another claim of a rogue Tottenham hand fell on deaf ears with Ben Davies the relieved party this time.

However, less than 15 minutes after falling behind, captain Jarrod Bowen drew his side level from a narrow angle after being played in by a perfectly-weighted Aaron Wan-Bissaka pass.

Richarlison had the best of the opportunities to give the visitors a half-time lead, but first steered Spence’s ball over the top before his cross-shot drifted across the face of goal.

The first real chance after the restart fell the way of the hosts as Kudus picked out Bowen at the back post, but his dipping volley just flashed wide of Guglielmo Vicario’s far post.

Kudus caused trouble for Tottenham throughout, and on 70 minutes his whipped cross connected with the airborne Niclas Füllkrug, but the German couldn’t keep his header down.

Tottenham are still without Son Heung-min, while James Maddison and Dominic Solanke weren’t risked after picking up knocks in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League semi-final.

Ange Postecoglou’s side could have done with them given their struggles to create anything of note in the second half here.

Pape Matar Sarr’s vicious effort from range that whistled over the top was as close as they came to a winner in another insipid domestic display.

Bowen came close again with less than 10 minutes remaining with a diving near-post header, which Vicario had to react quickly to parry away.

Ultimately, West Ham were shut out which denied them a first victory since February, although it marked a fifth successive home H2H without defeat.

They remain 17th, a point and a place behind Spurs, whose focus remains trained on their European duties this week.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham Hotspur were unable to find a winning goal as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, with the result extending their unbeaten home run in Europe to 19 matches.

This was the first European knockout meeting between these two sides since the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1982, in which Spurs won the first leg 2-0 at home.

That scoreline wasn’t going to be repeated here, however, as Frankfurt broke the deadlock with their first attack of the match inside six minutes.

James Maddison was dispossessed by Ellyes Skhiri before the Tunisian whipped the ball out to Hugo Ekitike, who cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable effort into the far corner for his 20th goal of the season.

Ange Postecoglou’s men responded well after falling behind, as Dominic Solanke saw a header comfortably gathered by Kaua Santos before Brennan Johnson headed inches over the bar at the back post.

Spurs’ pressure paid off in the 26th minute when Solanke picked out Maddison in the box, and the midfielder squared to Pedro Porro, who brilliantly flicked the ball in with his heel.

The hosts finished the half on top but were unable to net again to leave the contest finely poised at the break.

Both sides started the second half brightly, with Destiny Udogie and Jean-Matteo Bahoya both getting into promising positions at either end, but last-ditch blocks prevented chances on goal.

It was quickly becoming an end-to-end affair, yet Spurs were having the better openings, as Lucas Bergvall rocked the crossbar with a powerful effort from distance before Son Heung-min saw a shot turned behind for a corner by a strong hand from Santos.

From the resulting corner, Rodrigo Bentancur crashed a header onto the crossbar as Frankfurt’s goal continued to live a charmed life.

The hosts continued to probe for a second goal with Maddison next to go close, but Santos again stood tall and saved well. It was one-way traffic for much of the second half as Bentancur was once again picked out from a corner, but the Frankfurt shot stopper made another save.

In the end, neither side was able to find the second goal, with Die Adler perhaps grateful to be taking a result back to Deutsche Bank Park next week having been on the end of an onslaught in the second period.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Kaua Santos (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has spoken to the press ahead of their Europa League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.

After losing in the EFL Cup semi-finals to Liverpool, being knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa and having no chance at the Premier League title, everything is gearing towards the Europa League to save Spurs’ season. Postecoglou can still deliver a trophy within that two-year window as he first spoke on team news.

"Everyone's good from the weekend from a physical standpoint," the Tottenham boss said.

"That's a good place for us to be at. There haven't been many occasions that have happened this year."

Postecoglou then moved on to speculation surrounding his future and how even if the club succeeds, many will still be pessimistic about the future of the club.

“I just think we're in that position now where even the good stuff we do is going to be turned into a glass-half-empty rhetoric.

“I came to this club with a clear purpose of rejuvenating a squad that was coming to the end of a cycle. Whatever noise there is, now or in the future, that shouldn't diminish that desire. Everything in my professional life has come through a struggle.”

Next, he emphasised the importance of the home support going into their Europa League clash as they attempt to book their place in the semi-finals.

"It's hugely important. With every European game, whether you are watching last night or tonight, the atmosphere makes a big impact. It's a big part of European football. A lot of teams that have success in Europe are on the back of a really strong home atmosphere.

"We hope it's the same for us tomorrow. We hope we can get the crowd going again.

"We have had nice atmospheres at home this year. The European nights have been good and the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool was good. We need that again tomorrow night.

"It's a big part of helping the clubs get an advantage in what are always tight ties."

He then opened up on Thursday night's opponents and how fans must cherish such an occasion that does not come around too often.

"I am not sure how many times the club has been in the quarter-finals of a European competition. So every time you get in there, you cannot take it for granted and you want to make the most of it.

"It's going to be a tough game tomorrow. Frankfurt are a good side and are going well in the Bundesliga. They got a mixture of exciting young players but also some experience in there.

"It will be a good challenge but when you get to the last eight of European competition, that's what you expect to face."

Finally, he spoke on the incident between Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel as both players went to take the penalty against Southampton at the weekend.

"We scored, we won. Delighted. It's incredible. If we're 2-1 up and we get a penalty in the last minute, I want our best penalty taker to take it.

"The one slight against this club is that it hasn't been a winner. The winners' mentality in the last minute is to score. We scored and somehow, in this alternate universe, everything Tottenham does is negative.

"Be as it may, I was delighted. Really pleased with how the players handled it."

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said Sunday’s home game against bottom side Southampton could be the springboard needed for their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt four days later.

Spurs battered Saints 5-0 in the reverse fixture in December, but their inconsistency has had them slip up against lower-ranked sides, including a 3-2 defeat by Everton and a 2-1 home loss to Leicester City in January.

With Spurs languishing in 14th in the Premier League standings and European qualification through the league looking unlikely, the Europa League has taken on added importance for the London club.

Winning the Europa League could also help under-pressure Postecoglou's relationship with Spurs supporters, some of whom booed his substitution decisions during their 1-0 loss at Chelsea on Thursday.

"Irrespective of people's feelings right now I don't think there will be a Tottenham supporter out there who doesn't want to win the Europa League. The home game in the Europa League is going to be important," the Australian told reporters on Friday.

"I thought our build-up play (at Stamford Bridge) was really good but final third play could have been cleaner and clinical. Wilson (Odobert) and Dom (Dominic Solanke) have missed a chunk of the season.

"I saw enough to build on that and Sunday is a good opportunity to do that and get to the levels we need for the Europa."

Postecoglou added that his side are in good shape physically, and that defender Micky van de Ven - who was cramping after playing 88 minutes for the first time since returning from injury - should be fine to play on Sunday.

"We need to gain some momentum. We will make a couple of changes but not too many," Postecoglou said when asked if he would rotate the squad against Frankfurt.

The Australian conceded it was a mistake to cup his ear to Spurs fans after Pape Sarr's goal, later disallowed by VAR, having earlier downplayed suggestions he was showing frustration towards the supporters.

"My mistake was celebrating a goal, VAR defeated me, I won't be doing that again," he added.

Tottenham Hotspur's spending in the transfer market must be smart and sustainable, Chairman Daniel Levy said as the Premier League club on Monday announced a fall in revenue on top of mounting challenges on the pitch.

Spurs' revenue fell 4% for the year ending June 2024 from 549.6 million pounds ($709.53 million) in the previous year to 528.2 million, while the club reduced losses after tax, with a deficit of 26.2 million pounds from 86.8 million in 2023.

Levy, who has been criticised by fans for not spending enough on the squad, defended his investment in players while reiterating Tottenham's need to be financially sustainable.

"Since opening our new stadium in April 2019, we have invested over 700 million pounds net in player acquisitions," Levy said in a club statement released on Monday.

"Recruitment remains a key focus, and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means.

"I often read calls for us to spend more, given that we are ranked as the ninth richest club in the world. However, a closer examination of today's financial figures reveals that such spending must be sustainable in the long term and within our operating revenues.

"Our capacity to generate recurring revenues determines our spending power. We cannot spend what we do not have, and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club."

Key to the fall in revenue was a drop in UEFA prize money, as the north London club earned 1.3 million pounds in 2024 compared to 56.2 million the previous year due to their absence from European competition.

While television revenues rose from 148.1 million pounds to 165.9 million, matchday revenue fell from 117.6 million pounds to 105.8 million due to the drop in the number of matches.

Levy labelled the 2024-25 season on the field as "highly challenging", with Spurs languishing 14th in the Premier League.

The team's hopes of ending a 17-year trophy drought rest on their Europa League campaign, where they are set to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals this month.