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Spurs boss appears increasingly unable to improve performances or results

Clock is ticking: Thomas Frank

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Matt Verri

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Tottenham's task arriving at the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest was clear.

After confidence-boosting wins over Brentford and Slavia Prague, where the attack finally showed signs of life, this was a sterner test from which to prove a corner really had been turned.

This was a dire display from Thomas Frank's side. They were weak mentally and physically. Spurs trailed for more than an hour in the 3-0 defeat to Forest but finished the match having registered just one shot on target.

For the first two months of this season, Frank defended Spurs' start to the campaign by insisting only the defeat to Bournemouth was a truly bad performance.

Now, though, that display barely registers in the memory. Spurs could have conceded five to Monaco in October and were abysmal when losing to Chelsea two weeks later.

It's pretty evident that if no one gets the time, no one can turn this around. This is not a quick fix

Thomas Frank

Even since then, they showed up only in body against Arsenal, fell to a shocking defeat to Fulham in a match that was billed as one to turn the season around, and now failed to lay a glove on Forest.

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With Spurs now 11th in the Premier League and the list of dismal performances growing at an alarming rate, Frank is losing the fans almost as quickly. The obvious question is whether he will be given time to stem the tide.

"I can't see why not," Frank insisted after the defeat to Forest.

"I think it's pretty evident that if no one gets the time, no one can turn this around. This is not a quick fix."

That might be true, but Frank's problem is that the fix required now seems to be much more significant than it was even in September.

At that stage, a few weeks into the season, Frank had shaped Spurs into a defensively resolute side with a strong away record and seemingly set up to thrive in the biggest games. The challenge, as Frank put it, was adding offensive "layers".

Three months later, Spurs have only been capable of attacking with any sort of coherence against Copenhagen, Brentford and Slavia Prague.

Aside from those fixtures, the attacking plan has amounted to little more than cross and hope. On top of that, Spurs have now conceded 16 goals in their last five away games.

Spurs have 22 points from their first 16 games Premier League games, their worst start since 2008, and still you feel results have been better than performances overall.

There are two main reasons managers might be given time when results have left their job under pressure.

Djed Spence again did little to hide his frustrations

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The first would be that there is an identity being instilled and a clear direction for the future, one that the fans and board can believe in and work towards even if there is short-term pain.

Another reason, though, might be a reluctance to accept an appointment was wrong. Sacking a manager would be an admission of failure from the club's hierarchy and so they wait, hoping in the face of all evidence for a turnaround.

Spurs are not quite at that stage yet, but even Frank's most ardent backers would struggle to argue this Spurs side has any sort of identity.

He is right in that managers do generally deserve time. However, nearly half of the Premier League season has been played. It is simply not good enough that Spurs still do not seem to have any idea how to attack.

Frank has argued otherwise but his players, a couple of generous home fixtures aside, are not taking on board his messages.

So many in a Spurs shirt were terrible against Forest and that number of poor performances suggests a wider issue. The players do not seem to be enjoying playing under Frank.

One of Frank's key strengths as Brentford boss was developing players and getting more out of a team than the list of individuals would suggest is possible.

It is hard to look at any players in this Spurs squad currently and think they have improved under Frank so far, beyond Micky van de Ven offering slightly more of a goal threat. The attackers, generally, look lost.

The strongest card in Frank's hand currently is the lack of options if Spurs were to replace him. The managerial market will be much more appealing after the World Cup in the summer, with Mauricio Pochettino likely to be among those available.

Spurs are ready to spend big again, but Frank yet to prove he’s the man to back with significant funds

Spurs coach Matt Wells would be an obvious choice to play the Ryan Mason interim role, but he has held talks over the manager's job at Colorado Rapids.

Giving Frank at least until the end of the season is therefore the preferable outcome, but this turgid football cannot be served up for another six months.

A January transfer window offers a double-edged sword. This is a squad that needs strengthening but Frank is showing little to suggest he is the man to back with significant funds.

If Spurs lost to Aston Villa next month in the FA Cup, their realistic trophy hopes would be over by January. Should Spurs still be in the bottom half too, the board would have to seriously consider why it is they would be giving Frank more time.

Significant work went into recruiting Ange Postecoglou's successor in the summer. A list of ten criteria to be a Spurs manager was drawn up and more than 30 candidates were considered. Spurs were adamant Frank was the right man and, for now, he is still being supported.

However, beyond the general belief that all managers need time, there are no compelling arguments to be confident that Frank will turn this around.

The Dane has been increasingly vocal in calling for patience. Time is running out to prove he deserves it.

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Spurs woes on and off the pitch continue

Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski

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Tottenham ended a promising weak of a miserable low after defeat at Nottingham Forest, and their injury issues appear no closer to easing.

Randal Kolo Muani was last week able to shake up a fitness concern to face Slavia Prague and Nottingham Forest, but otherwise it is a case of as you were for Spurs.

Destiny Udogie will not be seen again in 2025, while Dominic Solanke continues to be sidelined and has now been removed from Spurs’ Champions League squad.

Radu Dragusin and Dejan Kulusevski are still some weeks away from a return to action. Here’s all the latest Tottenham injury news and return dates...

Destiny Udogie

The left-back has been ruled out until January with a hamstring injury.

Frank earlier in December confirmed that Udogie had suffered a soft tissue injury, after the player was missing for the win over Brentford.

Asked at the time how long Udogie will be out for, Frank said: “Not too long. He got a soft tissue injury, unfortunately, against Newcastle.”

But a new update came a few days later, with a longer timeline: “Destiny picked up a hamstring injury in the end of the Newcastle game, so he’s out until January, unfortunately.”

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Potential return date: January 2026

Dominic Solanke is training on his own

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Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke is now able to train by himself on grass as his return after ankle surgery has stepped up

The Tottenham striker has been out of action since the end of August and belatedly underwent surgery on the issue in October. At the time, Frank described the surgery as minor, but with the striker still yet to return to fitness four months later, concerns about his rehabilitation have been raised.

Solanke last week posted an image of himself in a Spurs shirt on Instagram, captioned with hourglasses, suggesting a return could come sooner rather than later. But Frank quickly moved to quell any speculation.

He told reporters: "When he is training fully with the team, that is when I will say something ... he is training by himself [on the grass]."

Frank later added: “Sometimes it's not so easy and straightforward, maybe it’s a minor setback, maybe it’s taken a little bit slower.

“Without being too boring and talking about details, the thing is it’s more positive now, and I’m looking forward to him on the training pitch and involved in the squad.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Radu Dragusin

One long-term absentee who is close to a return is Radu Dragusin, who stepped up his comeback from a serious knee injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week.

Dragusin, who has been out since January played 65 minutes against Dagenham and Redbridge after playing 45 minutes against Leyton Orient last month.

Speaking after that match, Dragusin: "It felt good, first minutes in 10 months out, finally minutes in the legs and I just have to build on this.”

Potential return date: January 2026

Dejan Kulusevski in November

Destiny Udodie/Snapchat

Dejan Kulusevski

Another player with a shot at a comeback before the end of the year is Dejan Kulusevski.

Kulusevski has been out since the end of last season with a patella injury but he was back on grass during last month’s international break.

Frank has said previously there is a “good chance” that the playmaker could return in 2025 but his comeback will not be rushed.

Potential return date: January 2026

Kota Takai

Yet to feature for Spurs since signing from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer, Kota Takai joined Dragusin in lining up with the U21s against Dagenham last Tuesday.

Takai completed the first half of that match but it is still not clear when the defender will be ready to return to the first team.

“First of all, I am just glad I finished without getting injured,” Takai said. “And now, I want to work hard toward making my debut for the first team next.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Yves Bissouma

Yves Bissouma is another player yet to make an appearance for Spurs this season.

He missed the UEFA Super Cup in August for disciplinary reasons and then was stretchered off just minutes after his return to action for Mali while on international duty the following month.

Bissouma has since had surgery, with Frank revealing in October that the defensive midfielder had suffered ankle ligament damage.

Potential return date: Unknown

James Maddison

Having undergone surgery on a torn ACL sustained in a pre-season meeting with Newcastle, James Maddison is expected to miss most if not all of the 2025-26 season.

Potential return date: Summer 2026

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The Tottenham full-back was withdrawn just before the hour mark in the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Spurs were by that point two goals down and well on their way to a chastening loss, one that piles the pressure back on Thomas Frank.

Spence, who had been struggling with a knock before the break but appeared to run it off, was visibly frustrated as his number went up on the board.

After briefly acknowledging the applause from the fans of his former club, Spence then trudged to the bench and threw the jacket handed to him to the floor.

Frank was unaware of that reaction at the time but confirmed he would discuss it with Spence.

“You're the third one that said that to me today,” Frank said at his press conference after the match. “I didn't see it. Of course I will look back to be aware of it.

“I think there can be three reasons. He can be disappointed with his own performance, the team's performance, he can be disappointed with being subbed off.

Pedro Porro had to be told to calm down by Frank after squaring up to Elliot Anderson before half-time.

“I think in general, no matter what, to have that coolness on the pitch and relentless concentration and focus, that's a big thing of being a top team.”

Three things we learned from Tottenham defeat as Thomas Frank tactics set Spurs up for failure

Three things we learned as Frank tactics set Spurs up for failure

Spurs were second-best from the first whistle

Abject: Thomas Frank

Mike Egerton/PA Wire

Matt Verri

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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After ten days of brief optimism and talk of corners being turned, Tottenham returned to a crisis point.

This 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest had all of the worst elements of Thomas Frank’s reign so far, with just one shot on target and no sort of attacking threat.

There was no resistance in midfield or at the back either. Archie Gray was robbed on the edge of the Spurs box as Callum Hudson-Odoi opened the scoring and the winger made it two with a cross that swung in.

Spurs were already a beaten time by the time Ibrahima Sangare made it three.

Only the fact Spurs have regularly been dismal this season prevented this from going down as undoubtedly the worst performance of the season. There has just been so much competition for that title.

Frank back under pressure

Speaking ahead of the match, Frank said he expected a "front-footed, aggressive, brave and offence-minded" performance from his side.

There was nothing of the sort to back that up. Spurs attacked at walking pace in the first half and it barely picked up after the break.

Frank in his pre-match press conference praised the form of Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison but both were dreadful here. Kudus spent most of the match running into red shirts, while Richarlison was shrugged off the ball at will by the Forest defenders.

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Even when one and then two and three goals down, Spurs had no sort of intensity to their attacks. There was no semblance of an attacking plan beyond crossing, but this was a Forest defence that thrives when asked to make headed clearances.

In all, Spurs managed just a single shot on target, which came from distance from Archie Gray in the first half. In the hour that followed, John Victor had nothing to do. Spurs did not really create a single chance in the entire match.

To add to that, the midfield was non-existent and Spurs were absolutely ragged defensively. Forget the optimism after the wins over Brentford and Slavia Prague - Frank is right back to square one.

Anger: Pedro Porro

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Spurs lose their heads

Spurs have been one of the best sides away from home in the Premier League this season, thriving in tough environments and more often than not showing the required mentality and character.

Against a powerful Forest side, Spurs offered no sort of resistant and looked a frustrated, ragged team.

Pedro Porro, one of the worst performers on the day, needlessly squared up to Elliot Anderson just before half-time. Frank pointed to his head and called for calm but little was forthcoming.

Porro was at it later in the match, too, earning a booking for effectively a rugby tackle.

Djed Spence was brought off on the hour mark and reacted angrily, muttering and gesturing on his way off before launching his jacket to the floor as he sat down on the bench.

Cristian Romero was needed as a leader in trying circumstances, but he regularly complained to the referee and was too rash in his challenges. Spurs had nobody to settle them down.

They were hot-headed throughout and that lack of composure was evident in all of their play. There was no calmness on the ball and the team collapsed in the face of pressure.

Day to forget: Archie Gray

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Tough afternoon for Gray

A third straight start for Archie Gray was a show of faith in the teenager from Frank, and also a sign that the Spurs boss is starting to settle on a starting lineup.

He went with the same side that beat Brentford a week ago and it meant Gray once again got the nod ahead of the likes of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr.

The 19-year-old has been impressive in recent weeks but this was his toughest afternoon of the season.

Gray gifted Forest the opening goal, taking a touch from a short Guglielmo Vicario pass when there was no time to do so, and seemingly unaware of Ibrahim Sangare closing in behind him. He had to play the pass first time.

Keen to make up for that, Gray was rash later in the half when flying into a late challenge and getting himself booked.

He was replaced just before the hour mark and it will be interesting to see what Frank now does with Gray next weekend against Liverpool.

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Three things we learned as Frank tactics set Spurs up for failure

Spurs look to record third win in a row

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham live

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Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham LIVE

Spurs are back in Premier League action today hoping to cap off a fine week with a third win in a row. Thomas Frank appears to have recovered from a tough end to November - which saw defeats to Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Fulham - with much-improved performances, and results, against Newcastle, Brentford and Slavia Prague. Now they are in Nottingham.

These two teams were embroiled in a bitter transfer spat during the summer, prompted by Spurs triggering star player Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause. Forest took it badly, ceased all communication with Spurs and, a week later, the player had signed a new contract. Chairman Daniel Levy has since left Spurs, but animosity between the club could well remain.

Forest have had a tough start to the season, toiling down in 17th, but under Sean Dyche - their third manager of the campaign - have settled the ship. Spurs are up to the heady heights of 11th after a long-overdue home win. Their away form has been much better, and another three points could see them close the gap on fifth to one point. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham latest news

Frank on Dyche

“Some [people] you meet with in different circumstances for whatever reason, but we come together, and the coaches talk about life and football. And I think it's fair to say that we're the only ones that really understand each other.

“We're in the same shit together and dealing with the same problems and the same all sorts of things.

“So I think that's nice to share experiences and thoughts with good colleagues and friends there. So, of course, when we play against each other, it's very competitive.”

New-look Tottenham attack faces first real test to prove corner has been turned

It is more than 14 months since Tottenham last won three matches in a row.

Two has been difficult enough for the north Londoners in a period that has been characterised by largely dismal domestic results, for all it brought the end of the long wait for a trophy.

Their last run of three victories on the bounce came in October 2024, when wins over Qarabag and Manchester United were followed by a 2-1 success over Ferencvaros.

Even the most ardent of Spurs fans with the most impressive memories would do well to remember the front-line responsible for securing that particular hat-trick.

Ange Postecoglou went with Will Lankshear leading the line, flanked by Mikey Moore on one wing and Timo Werner on the other.

With all due respect to that particular trio, none of whom are at the club this season, there will be a more threatening look to the Spurs attack this afternoon.

Thomas Frank's side travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest, looking to build on what has been a very promising start to the month.

Read more here!

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Rollercoaster at Forest

The summer saw these two teams at loggerheads over a failed move from Spurs for Morgan Gibbs-White.

Was his release clause triggered? Both sides say differing things. Either way, the player ended up signing a new contract, unveiled in an eyebrow-raising interview with Gibbs-White and the club’s owner during pre-season.

Things unravelled for Forest since, and they now find themselves in 17th and on their third manager of the season, Sean Dyche, who has steadied the ship.

It remains quite the comedown for Forest, who looked for most of last season that they would qualify for the Champions League, before an end-of-season collapse.

Spurs have furnished the away section with free scarves. Lovely touch.

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Score prediction

It has been an enjoyable few days for Spurs, who were desperate for some home wins to ease the pressure on Frank and defuse simmering tensions that had been arising between frustrated fans and players in recent weeks.

Their away form has generally been strong, with four wins and only one defeat on the road so far this term, while only fellow strugglers West Ham and Wolves have earned fewer points at home in 2025/26 to date than Forest.

Dyche has been going very well with six wins from his first 11 games across all competitions since replacing ex-Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, denied a swift reunion with his Europa League winners after being sacked after only 39 days in charge in October, though Forest’s ongoing frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Everton last time out.

We’re backing Spurs to shade an entertaining game that won’t be short on goalmouth action to continue their recent resurgence under Frank.

Tottenham to win, 2-1.

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Early Nottingham Forest team news

Ola Aina, Chris Wood, Angus Gunn and Ryan Yates are all sidelined for Forest.

First-choice goalkeeper Matz Sels missed their Europa League game due to a groin issue, so is likely out.

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi is approaching his comeback having recently returned to training.

Early Tottenham team news

Dominic Solanke is still not ready to return for Tottenham, despite teasing a comeback on social media.

Solanke is back training individually, having been sidelined since August, but hopes of a swift return to action have been ruled out by Thomas Frank.

Destiny Udogie is out until January after suffering a hamstring injury and his absence leaves Spurs short of options at full-back, with Djed Spence and Pedro Porro facing a busy festive period.

Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison remain long-term absentees, with Frank not offering a timeline for their return.

Frank is still figuring out his best attacking combination, but with Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus showing an impressive understanding he has something to build around.

Johnson could return on the left wing after missing Tuesday’s win over Slavia Prague, while Joao Palhinha is an option in midfield should Frank look to add stability in the centre of the park.

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How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 1.55pm GMT on Sky Sports Football ahead of the 2pm kick-off.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.

It’s 17th hosting 11th in the league, so neither will have been happy with their starts to the season - but both has reasons to believe they will continue looking up, rather than down, for the rest of the campaign.

Kick-off is at 2pm. Stick with us.

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Tottenham will see their recent resurgence put to the test as they return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest.

Spurs head to the City Ground this afternoon on the back of successive wins, having recorded a much needed home victory over Brentford eight days ago before following that up by beating Slavia Prague on Tuesday night.

Standing in their way of a third straight win is a Forest side who begin the day two points clear of the relegation zone.

Despite their position in the table, Forest have improved since the appointment of Sean Dyche - who succeeded former Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou in October - with the 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield the biggest result of his reign to date.

Though, the Tricky Trees have lost two of their last three league games and the less recovery time compared to Spurs after their own European adventure in midweek could prove vital in what is a big fixture for both sides.

Here’s everything you need to know about where to watch the match...

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 1.55pm GMT on Sky Sports Football ahead of the 2pm kick-off.

Thomas Frank has said he is seeking to build on the legacy of former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou as Spurs prepare to take on another of the Australian’s old clubs - Nottingham Forest - this weekend.

Postecoglou, who guided Tottenham to the Europa League title last season, endured an ill-fated 39 day spell at Forest before being replaced by Sean Dyche at the end of October.

Having quickly returned to management after being sacked by the north Londoners in June, Postecoglou has yet to take on another managerial role since his departure from Forest.

Frank said he hoped to see the 60-year-old back in the dugout soon, but was glad he would not be at the helm for Spurs’ trip to the City Ground.

“Probably yes [it will be easier without Ange in charge]. The only thing I can say is that Ange is a legend and always will be,” Frank said at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

“He won a massive trophy, he was a big part of that and I stand on the shoulders of Ange, trying to build on that.”

Postecoglou wrote his name into the club’s folklore by securing their first major trophy in 17 years, but was sacked just 16 days after the Europa League final following a dismal league campaign.

Asked whether Postecoglou’s uncompromising attacking style still had a place in the modern game, Frank said one only had to look at his success at Tottenham and Celtic to understand his methods.

“Ange has been - in many ways - a very successful Spurs manager. They had a very good first season here in the Premier League, and they won their first trophy. That’s definitely part of success.

“Also he had that in the past at Celtic and so on. There are a lot of circumstances about why things are good and why things are bad.”

For all the talk about Postecoglou, Frank enjoys a strong relationship with his successor - Sean Dyche - and said despite an upturn in results, three points was by no means a guarantee at Forest.

“I expect a very, very difficult game against a team who's managed by a good colleague, a friend of me in the game,” the Dane continued.

“Every single time I see his team, they're extremely competitive. That's a difficult place to go.

“I expect a tough, tough game. I think we are in a fine place, not an exceptional place.

“I think we've been good away from home. I think we've been very competitive.

“I expect us to go there with confidence and belief. I expect us to go there with a good chance of getting three points. But I also expect it to be unbelievably difficult.”

Arne Slot has been left sweating over the fitness of Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai after the Liverpool pair both came off injured during Saturday’s defeat of Brighton.

Gomez started at right-back but lasted just 26 minutes of the match before going down off the ball. He received treatment on the pitch, but was promptly replaced by the recently reinstated Mohamed Salah.

Szoboszlai produced another impressive performance, but his match ended on a sour note as he landed awkwardly after jumping to dodge a collision. He appeared upset as he received treatment on the pitch and was forced off.

With a crunch meeting with Tottenham on the cards next weekend, Slot will hope to have as many first-team players available as possible.

Of Gomez, Slot explained: "If I have a player who goes off with a muscle injury like Joe, that's normally not a positive thing.

"I would not expect him to be in the squad next week [at Tottenham Hotspur]. But sometimes you get a positive surprise.

"People now maybe understand a bit better why I was always so cautious not to play him so many games. I assume many people thought, 'If you have a defender, if you have a right full-back, why don't you play him?'”

He continued, adding of Szoboszlai: “Dom, it was his ankle. It didn't look great when I just saw him. But he has unbelievable mentality, so let's hope for the best.”

While the injuries to Szoboszlai and Gomez are certainly blows, it was not all bad news for Liverpool on Saturday.