Football FanCast

After wins against Burnley and Manchester City within the first two games of the season, it appeared as though Thomas Frank was the perfect man to lead Tottenham Hotspur forward.

His side scored five times and kept two clean sheets in the process, with the Dane making an immediate impact within his side at both ends of the pitch in the Premier League.

However, a run of four defeats in their last seven league outings has seen the Lilywhites slide down to 11th in the league table, subsequently mounting the pressure on the 52-year-old.

The 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Sunday is the latest example of the struggles the manager has faced in recent weeks, which could lead to the fans turning on the Dane.

As a result, numerous options have been drawn up, which could lead to a change in manager in North London ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

Spurs’ hunt for a manager to replace Frank

Over the last couple of days, former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been touted with a sensational return to North London if Frank is dismissed from the role.

The Argentine, who is currently managing the US men’s national team, has previously spoken about his desire to return to the Lilywhites after leaving in November 2019.

However, it’s unclear if a deal would be agreed at present, especially with the 53-year-old set to lead the host nation into the World Cup in the summer next year.

He’s not the only manager in their sights at present, with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, another manager currently being considered by the Lilywhites hierarchy.

According to CaughtOffside, the Austrian is just one manager that’s currently under consideration by the hierarchy, which could lead to an approach with his deal with the Eagles set to expire in June.

The report also states that the board have been hugely impressed with his work at Selhurst Park, which could make Spurs the next stepping stone in his career.

Described as "a better manager" than Arteta by the outspoken Jamie O'Hara, Tottenham could be onto a winner with this one.

How Oliver Glasner compares to Thomas Frank

After leading Brentford up the English pyramid and making them an established Premier League club, the decision to appoint Frank looked like the right one, subsequently allowing him to make the next step in his career.

His tactics have shown glimpses of being successful, but ultimately, the results and performances have been far too inconsistent in recent months.

The board will no doubt give the Dane time to lead them back up England’s top-flight, especially after paying a reported £10m compensation package for his services.

Despite the recent slump in form, the Lilywhites still sit just six points off a place within the top four of the division, which could easily see the side secure another season of European football.

However, any move for Glasner would allow the club to gain a serious upgrade in the managerial department, especially considering the work he’s already conducted across the capital.

The 51-year-old is coming up to two years in the role at Selhurst Park and has already claimed the FA Cup title - the first major trophy in the Eagles’ 120-year history.

Away from the trophies won, the Austrian has also achieved a better record in the Premier League, with the underlying figures highlighting why he would be the perfect man to replace Frank.

Glasner, who’s “destined for greatness” according to Anil Kandola, has achieved a better win rate in the Premier League, as seen by his success rate of 41%.

Such a record, combined with his tally of trophies won, highlights the success the Palace boss has already endured in his career - arguably making him a serial winner.

He’s lost fewer of the games that he’s taken charge of in England’s top-flight, often finding a way to grinding out results, something which the Lilywhites have lacked this season.

However, quality at both ends of the pitch is also needed for success, with Glasner’s sides currently scoring more and conceding less than any of Frank’s sides in the Premier League.

It’s unclear how soon the Spurs hierarchy would consider parting ways with Frank after his summer arrival, but the Dane desperately needs to transform the situation or his job will certainly be at risk.

As for the Palace boss, he would be the perfect man to take over in North London, with Glasner having all of the tools to make the club serial winners in the near future.

After Thomas Frank’s appointment as Tottenham Hotspur manager in the summer handed fans a new sense of optimism, but it appears such an emotion is already running thin.

The Dane has now lost four of his last seven Premier League outings in charge of the Lilywhites, which has no doubt cranked up the pressure on his shoulders.

Rumours have been swirling over the manager’s long-term future in North London, especially with the side once again sliding down the table, as seen by their 11th-place standing at present.

It remains to be seen if the hierarchy will be willing to hand the 52-year-old the benefit of the doubt over his recent form, or whether an immediate change will be made.

However, numerous managers have since been touted with taking the reins should the club decide to make a swift dismissal of the manager despite his arrival this summer.

Spurs' number one manager target revealed

Over the last couple of days, numerous outlets have been reporting about a potential change in manager, which has led to Fulham boss Marco Silva being named as a candidate to take over.

It’s been claimed that he’s just one of the options being considered by the Lilywhites, with the 48-year-old already securing a win over Frank’s side in 2025/26.

Silva is also out of contract at the Cottagers come the end of June, which could make any potential deal for his services a cheaper one - with a compensation fee still needing to be paid.

However, it appears as though other targets are ahead of him in the pecking order at present, with former boss Mauricio Pochettino another option being considered by the board.

According to CaughtOffside, the Argentine is the hierarchy’s first choice to take over from Frank should the Dane be dismissed from the role in the coming months.

The report also states ENIC see the former boss as the strongest replacement available, but it’s unclear if the 53-year-old would be open to a return to North London.

Why Pochettino would be perfect for Simons

During the recent summer transfer window, the Spurs board spent a fee in the region of £52m on the signature of attacking midfielder Xavi Simons - but such a move hasn’t been plain sailing.

The Dutchman has already racked up 21 appearances for the Lilywhites, but has only racked up a measly total of five goals and assists across all competitions.

There’s no doubt the 22-year-old has shown glimpses of his quality, as seen against Brentford, but he’s been unable to demonstrate his talents on a consistent basis.

However, Frank has often utilised the youngster in a somewhat unnatural left-wing role in numerous matches, which he no doubt had an effect on his lack of success to date.

Pochettino’s potential return to North London could allow Simons to become the next version of Dele, with the Englishman reaching some incredible heights in North London under his guidance.

The Argentine, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by Todd Boehly, gave the attacking midfielder the best years of his career during his time in charge of the Lilywhites, as seen by some of the remarkable feats achieved in the Premier League.

Dele originally joined from MK Dons for a reported £5m back in the summer of 2015, subsequently having an immediate impact in the first-team despite arriving as a teenager.

His first three years at the club saw him register 146 appearances, which led to the Englishman scoring on 46 occasions whilst also laying on 35 assists for his teammates.

During such a period, he managed to win the PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year award on two separate occasions, even becoming a consistent performer at international level.

After Pochettino’s departure from Spurs in November 2019, Dele’s career has never been the same, with the midfielder now currently without a club after leaving Como in September.

His form under the former Lilywhites boss is evidence that he’s able to get the best out of the players at his disposal, something which could happen with Simons should he be reappointed.

There’s no denying the Dutchman has shown glimpses but Pochettino could well work his magic and help the youngster reach the same heights achieved by Dele at the club.

As for Frank, there’s little denying he’s struggled to live up to expectations in the role, which could result in an early departure from his position in the coming months.

Tottenham Hotspur are now accelerating a move for a "special" Champions League player, who is viewed as ideal for Thomas Frank.

Spurs eyeing new midfielder after Gray mistake

Just when Tottenham appeared to be building some momentum, winning two games on the spin, they were brought back down to earth with a 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and Frank believes Archie Gray was at fault for the opening goal.

Gray lost possession after deciding against playing a first-time pass, with the Spurs manager saying: "I think it was a classic thing, you see, week in, week out. It’s ball-playing to one of the two sitters. Bounce it up, first touch, not take a touch. He will learn from that. I’m pretty sure he’ll use one touch next time."

When asked whether Guglielmo Vicario was at fault, Frank added: "No. I think you see that every week in the Premier League, from every team, all over the world. So there’s no problem with that."

Considering the youngster is just 19-years-old, mistakes are bound to happen, but the Lilywhites are now keen to bring in a new midfielder with a little more experience.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Tottenham are now accelerating a move to sign Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi, with N17 one of the most attractive destinations for the Italian.

Frattesi is said to be a perfect fit for Frank's style of play, given that he is a box-to-box midfielder, who makes 'constant attacking runs', and Spurs are willing to give him a leading role right from the off.

Having struggled for game time at Inter this season, receiving a guarantee of regular minutes will be key for the 26-year-old when it comes to deciding which club to join next, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool also named as potential suitors.

"Special" Frattesi needs to leave Inter

A lack of creativity has been a major problem for Tottenham this season, with Frank's side recording two of the lowest three xG performances in the Premier League, and they clearly need some inspiration from somewhere.

There are signs the £88k-a-week Inter maestro could be a solution to their attacking woes, given that he has averaged 0.28 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, ranking in the 96th percentile, when compared to other midfielders.

Perhaps most famously, the central midfielder scored a dramatic late winner against Barcelona in the second leg of the 2024-25 Champions League semi-final.

Journalist Wayne Girard has also praised the Italy international in the past, claiming he has "something really special" about him while former Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni once hailed him as "one of the best midfielders in Europe".

Frattesi is experienced at Champions League level, having made 24 appearances in Europe's elite competition, and he could be a solid signing for Tottenham, who could clearly do with bringing in players who pose an attacking threat, given their creativity issues.

A "top" manager is now Tottenham Hotspur's number one target to replace Thomas Frank, following the 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Spurs players called into question after City Ground defeat

Tottenham fell to 11th in the Premier League table following the heavy defeat at the City Ground, and The Athletic's Elias Burke gave a scathing review of the performance, saying: "Utterly devoid of any inspiration or fight, even after going behind. There have been a few bad ones under Frank, and that’s right up there among the worst."

It was a controversial decision to replace Europa League winner Ange Postecoglou, and Frank has thus far failed to make any major improvements, with the Dane's record since taking over leaving a lot to be desired.

As a result, ENIC have now held talks about sacking the 52-year-old, and former Barcelona manager Xavi has emerged as one of the main contenders to replace him in the dugout.

However, the Spaniard is not the only option under consideration, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino is the top target, having been identified as the 'strongest potential replacement.'

At the moment, ENIC are willing to give Frank more time, but results need to improve soon, and Pochettino's knowledge of the club and style of play means he is an ideal replacement.

Crystal Palace's Oliver Glanser and Fulham boss Marco Silva have also been shortlisted, so there is certainly no shortage of targets, but there are signs the former Spurs manager could be the best option...

Pochettino has experience at the top level

While Silva and Glasner have now built up plenty of Premier League experience, and the latter won the FA Cup last season, the ex-Tottenham boss has more experience at the highest level, having led the north Londoners to the 2019 Champions League final.

Pep Guardiola has also waxed lyrical about the Argentinian in the past, describing him as "one of the top managers in England", and there have been suggestions Daniel Levy made an error getting rid of him in the first place.

However, it would arguably be a backwards step to appoint a manager who has already been sacked in recent memory, and the 53-year-old may have burned some of his bridges with fans by moving to Chelsea back in 2023.

With Pochettino, who prefers a 4-2-3-1 system, also gearing up to lead the USMNT into the World Cup, it is unclear whether he would be willing to jump ship, and Spurs may be better off targeting Glasner, with the 51-year-old winning Palace the first major trophy in their history last season.

Tottenham Hotspur have been put through the wringer once again this season, with Thomas Frank struggling to get a tune out of the north London squad.

Sunday's dour defeat against Nottingham Forest underlined the many issues that had already been written down, with errors rife and players bereft of confidence and coherence.

The indelibility of Spurs' European triumph does not overrule the many problems that have stifled progress in recent months. Frank remains steadfast that he is the man for the job, but many of a Lilywhite persuasion are harbouring doubts, and that's only going to intensify if an upswing is not found soon.

Why Frank's job is at risk

Following the defeat at Nottingham Forest, Frank was adamant that it would take time to get his Tottenham project up and running, with reporter Matt Law saying "Spurs have no identifiable culture", thus making managerial merry-go-rounds ineffective, as we have seen over the past ten years down N17.

But Frank's job is nonetheless at risk. Spurs are mired in 12th place in the Premier League, and with just one win from seven games, the gap between those in Champions League contention is beginning to widen.

The old boss, Ange Postecoglou, didn't leave the most stable foundations, but Frank has taken the reins of control in north London and his pragmatism and reworked tactical style have depleted Tottenham of their attacking sparkle without establishing real green shoots.

This is painfully evidenced by the club's dismal playmaking numbers in the top flight this season. Neither James Maddison nor Dejan Kulusevski has kicked a ball due to injury, but the blame still lies with the manager. He has talented options at his disposal.

Take Xavi Simons, for example. The young Dutchman hasn't had it all his way since signing, but he has the trappings of an elite attacking midfielder, and a new manager could help bring him up to his potential.

Spurs lining up Frank upgrade

According to Spanish reports, ENIC Group are growing wary of Frank's progress since being appointed during the summer, and are believed to 'want' former Barcelona boss Xavi as their replacement.

This is not believed to be a short-term fix, but rather, a willingness to appoint a tactician for the long haul, bringing a proactive and intelligent system to the team.

The 45-year-old, who speaks fluent English, has even said in the past that he "would love to work in the Premier League". It might just be a match made in heaven for a Spurs side craving an attractive footballing identity.

Much has been made of Hansi Flick's success at La Blaugrana since arriving in 2024, but pundit Thierry Henry is of the opinion that it was Xavi's work beforehand that has created the pillars of this thrilling Spanish squad, suggesting he is "up there with Pep" in terms of how he sees the game.

Hailed as a "world-class" manager by journalist Maynard Manyowa, Xavi didn't have it all his way in the Catalan capital, but he did win La Liga, infusing his team with trademark passing dominance. It was a barnstorming season of success in 2022/23, so much so that club president Joan Laporta said, "We have the best manager in the world".

Barcelona have always been interlinked to their ball-playing culture, and Xavi - who prefers a 4-3-3 system - embodied that from the dugout after so many years of orchestration from the centre of the park.

His desire to see his players get on the ball and be enterprising in possession could bring the best out of Simons, who has endured a tough start in Tottenham but, frankly, walked into a system that struggled to establish creative patterns as a collective.

Still, he ranks among the top 9% of positional peers in the English top flight for passes attempted, the top 2% for progressive passes and the top 8% for ball recoveries per 90, data via FBref.

A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent's goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.

The nifty Dutchman has proved already his quality on the major stages, and the flashes seen in the Premier League thus far suggest that he could lead the attack from number ten in Xavi's system.

Hailed as a "difference-maker in big games" by analyst Ben Mattinson, the technical skill and completeness this rising star has projected are elements that Xavi would harden and shape into something world-class.

Tottenham's new playmaker did ply his youthful trade in Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, and in this, he could thrive as Xavi's new protege.

Tottenham Hotspur are not in crisis mode, but there's a sense that Thomas Frank is a man who needs to create an upswing in results and performances quickly.

Sunday's 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest was, by the Danish coach's own admission, a "disjointed" performance, doing little to ease the encroaching flames from fans who are getting fed up of the side's lack of positive, fluent play.

The usual culprits this season, the likes of Pedro Porro and Guglielmo Vicario, were at fault once again, and the goalkeeper in particular is beginning to look like a man on borrowed time.

Vicario is playing himself out of a job

When Tottenham signed Italian goalkeeper Vicario from Empoli for £17m in 2023, it was felt that Ange Postecoglou had landed a shrewd deal at the start of his reign.

But Vicario has ebbed and flowed, alright, and he's been culpable for more than a few frustrating moments this season.

The 29-year-old has been error-prone and unconvincing, albeit having lifted his Premier League save percentage from 64% last season to 70.4% this term, as per FBref.

But having made eight errors since his debut in England's top flight, Vicario is not the long-term solution for a team crying out for stability. Football Insider understand the Lilywhites are getting ready to sign a replacement at the end of the campaign.

However, Vicario is surmounted by a leaky backline, lacking synergy and strength against the tide of the division's attacking lines.

There are one or two larger problems under Frank's management, one of whom simply isn't cut out to lead the line consistently and over the next few years.

Spurs' bigger problem than Vicario

If ever there was a player prone to blowing hot and cold, Richarlison would be that player. The Brazilian forward has scored a few goals recently, but his overall play leaves much to be desired, and his display against Forest brought any positivity crashing back to earth.

This season, the Brazil forward has scored seven goals and supplied two assists across 25 matches in all competitions.

He has enjoyed some standout moments, scoring a brilliant strike against Arsenal and a highly-charged late goal against Manchester United, but even these peaks were clouded over by circumstance: Spurs were thrashed by their rivals, and the Red Devils levelled out Richarlison's goal with a last-gasp equaliser.

Frank needs a more refined and commanding centre-forward. With Dominic Solanke's injury record torrid down N17, recruitment might be the route to go down, especially since Richarlison, 28, is into the penultimate year of his £90k-per-week contract.

Criticised for an "inexcusable" miss in the Champions League last week by writer Simon Yemane, Richarlison needed to put in a big performance at the City Ground, but he

To say he toiled would make a deceitful comment on his work-rate and focus against Sean Dyche's well-drilled side. Football.london criticised his hold-up play and movement, branding him with a 3/10 match rating and writing that it was 'like playing with a wall up front'.

There simply isn't enough on show, and there hasn't been from the first time he donned a Lilywhite shirt.

The difference between Richarlison and his former teammate Harry Kane is stark. No one ever expected him to emulate the club's greatest-ever striker when he completed his £60m move from Everton, but the clue is in that sentence: Richarlison cost £60m, more than a sizeable outlay, and he hasn't been good or consistent enough. In the words of Gabriel Agbonlahor, he is "one of the worst signings in Premier League history."

Tottenham need to sort it out. Poor strategising over the past several years has guided the club down a slope, and while a Europa League title has been claimed along the way, it is clear that the silverware will gather cobwebs without upgrades on such players being enforced in 2026.

Thomas Frank is finding out the hard way just how challenging managing Tottenham Hotspur can be.

He could have been told that for free by the likes of Ange Postecoglou, Nuno Santo, or even some of the greatest managers of the 21st century, in the form of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

The early days of Frank's reign promised calmer waters. After finishing 17th in the Premier League under dear old Ange, they needed a bit of stability and they got that.

During Frank's first seven games in charge, excluding the Super Cup, they conceded just three goals. The negative turn things have taken, therefore, is quite staggering.

The Lilywhites ended a run of five straight games in all competitions without winning by defeating Brentford, but they were up to their old tricks again when they visited Nottingham Forest on Sunday, losing 3-0.

So, a change in the dugout could be on the cards.

The latest on Spurs' managerial situation

After Spurs suffered a disastrous loss on the road last time out, Frank's future in north London was thrown further into the spotlight. If the Dane wasn't already feeling the pressure, then he certainly will be now.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that a number of top names are in the club's crosshairs should they decide to get rid of Frank, including the likes of Barcelona legend Xavi and Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner.

However, according to CaughtOffside, a leading contender for the job has now emerged in the form of Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine is currently gearing up to lead the United States at the home World Cup next year and therefore, an exit feels unlikely.

Yet, Pochettino is one of very few managers to get the most out of Spurs in the last couple of decades, guiding them to a Champions League final.

Perhaps more realistic options are the aforementioned Glasner and Marco Silva. The same report suggests that the two Premier League bosses are on ENIC's managerial shortlist.

Why Silva could be Spurs' new Pochettino

Cast your mind back to the year 2014. Poch has just left Southampton behind and taken on the Spurs job.

With the Saints, he made them an established top-flight side, finishing eighth in 2013/14, the South Coast's side's highest ever finish in the football pyramid.

He did so by playing a progressive and attractive style of football. At his disposal, he had the likes of Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw, two players he helped become England regulars. At Spurs, it was a similar story. Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Co all owe Pochettino a great deal of gratitude for how he developed their careers.

Well, it feels as though Silva is cut from a similar cloth. Now, we all know that Spurs have tried and failed with the proven Premier League manager strategy before. Nuno Santo didn't last long in the capital and now Frank is enduring a difficult time.

However, prominent names in the form of Mourinho and Conte hardly drove Spurs to newfound success either. In Silva, they could find their new Pochettino. Like the Argentine, he has been recognised as one of the most underrated the English top-flight has to offer.

Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has even heralded the Cottagers' boss as "one of the best managers in the Premier League."

As Pochettino did with Saints, Silva has firmly established Fulham in the Premier League. Having guided the Londoners out of the Championship back in 2021/22, they have never finished below 13th place. They even finished in tenth during their maiden campaign back in the big time.

So, other than doing well with mid-table sides, how else are they alike? Well, both prefer proactive, attacking football rather than sitting back and soaking up pressure. There is a lot to like about the way Spurs played under their former boss.

Silva isn't quite as full-throttle as Pochettino was and still is. That said, Fulham tend to defend in a midblock, rather than a low one, enabling them to turn the ball over higher up the pitch like a Poch side would do. So far this season, Fulham rank sixth in the Premier League for percentage of high turnovers (18.84%) that lead to a shot.

They also rank seventh in the division for PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action), which measures how many passes a team allows in the opposition’s defensive and middle thirds before making a defensive action like a tackle, interception, foul or pressure.

Pivotally, however, is the comparison in developing players. The likes of Christian Eriksen, Kane and Dele all became genuine superstars under Pochettino.

While Fulham don't have any truly elite global stars in their team, Antonee Robinson has become "one of the best left-backs in the world" in the words of Sky Sports' Dougie Critchley and Harry Wilson is now in the form of his life under Silva's guidance, scoring four goals and registering three assists in his last seven matches for Fulham.

"I believe this is going to be the best season for him in terms of numbers," the Spurs-linked boss said about Wilson at the weekend.

So, while there are some differences between the two managers, the similarities could well mean he's perfectly suited to this Spurs team. After all, they are a young side and they need a manager capable of extracting their potential.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has revealed he will speak to Djed Spence about his negative reaction to being substituted in the 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest, four years after Neil Warnock's infamous criticism of the defender's attitude.

Spence in the spotlight as Spurs defeated at Forest

The England international was seen gesturing and shaking his head when his number came up during the second half at the City Ground.

Spence was replaced on the hour mark after a Callum Hudson-Odoi double put the hosts in complete control, but Ibrahim Sangare’s wonder goal sealed Spurs' fate in a dismal afternoon which saw them drop further behind the European places.

“I didn’t see it,” Frank said. “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. I’ll ask him about that.”

It is not the first time Spence has shown dissent towards his manager after he appeared to snub a handshake after the defeat to Chelsea.

Spence has been one of Tottenham's best performers this season, something Frank alluded to after the incident following the defeat to Chelsea, but it's not the first time his attitude has been under the spotlight.

What did Warnock say about Spence?

After making his senior debut in 2018, Spence was fast-tracked into the first team at Middlesbrough under Jonathan Woodgate and eventually his successor, Neil Warnock.

The young defender's playing time plummeted in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign, when Warnock revealed his attitude could prevent him from fulfilling his potential.

"There are not many players where you can say it's all up to them personally how far they go - it's what's between the ears. He could be playing at a top club in England or in non-league in five years, I don't know.

"Application, dedication, all these things come into it. He's got the tools, there's no doubt about that."

The England international was loaned out to Forest, and was part of the Reds team who won promotion back to the Premier League, after which he couldn't resist a jab at his former boss on Twitter.

Warnock responded again, congratulating the full-back on taking his advice.

The 77 year-old is not the only boss to take issue with Spence either, as Antonio Conte pinned the blame for his signing on the Tottenham board during his time in North London, referring to the youngster as "club signing".

Since then, a resilisent Spence has not only earned his place in Frank's best XI but also potentially in Thomas Tuchel's, racking up three senior England caps.

And while it seems unlikely Warnock's "non-league" prediction will come true in the next 12 months, it is certainly fair to suggest the defender has used two of his three strikes when it comes to causing Frank headaches at Tottenham.

There have definitely been flashes of progress at Tottenham Hotspur over the past few weeks, but the 3-0 hiding handed by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on a chill Sunday afternoon has served Thomas Frank a sobering reality check.

At the weekend, Tottenham knew there was a chance to step up and make real headway in the Premier League by recording a statement win over Forest, having ended a six-game winless run in the division the match before, against Brentford on home turf.

Positivity was short-lived, though, even after beating Slavia Prague 3-0 in the Champions League in midweek. This system is riddled with problems, and the manner in which Spurs were beaten by Sean Dyche's relegation-threatened side has enraged and dismayed a fanbase who have been crying out for coherence and focused creativity all season.

Frank's post-match comments were bleak, but he couldn't have stood in front of the cameras and lauded effort, drawn solace from moments.

It is clearer than ever that ENIC Group's decision to attack the January transfer market is a just one.

Spurs planning for January additions

The Forest defeat was one to forget, but it wasn't an outlier for the Lilywhites this season, and that makes putting it in the background difficult.

Tottenham came undone in the first half when Guglielmo Vicario put Archie Gray under pressure. The 19-year-old then lost possession cheaply, and Callum Hudson-Odoi scored.

This microcosm of Spurs' season widens to a gloomier landscape, and it's understandable that signings are anticipated. This is a squad who need improvements across different positions. Gray, it seems, isn't ready for a starring role, playing as an anchor week in and week out.

Perhaps that's why ENIC are lining up a move for Atletico Madrid star Pablo Barrios. In fact, Spanish media are under the impression that the Londoners have already tabled an opening €70m (equating to £61m) offer for the 22-year-old midfielder. That fee, should a deal get done, would be one of the most expensive in the club's history, surpassing the £60m they paid for Richarlison but falling £4m shy of Dominic Solanke's deal.

The Spaniard's versatility and physical attributes make him an ideal fit for the Premier League, but Atletico won't let their prize leave easily. Spurs' interest is very real, but landing his signature will prove a hard task.

Why Spurs should sign Pablo Barrios

Gray's blunder at the weekend can happen in football, but it's symptomatic of a wider struggle at Tottenham right now. More experience and dynamism are needed in midfield, especially with Yves Bissouma ostracised and Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha offering limited skillsets.

Here Barrios would raise Spurs' level. He is athletic and fleet-footed and confident in the duel. He has been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his "Iniesta-esque magic" on the ball, and so would help the manager establish fluid passing patterns from midfield, flowing into the final third.

Winning duels is a core part of the midfield game, and this Gray is struggling to do. In fact, the England U21 international's lack of success in tussling against opponents is preventing him from establishing fluency in the Tottenham midfield.

There is no such issue for Barrios, who is still young but strong and powerful enough to hold his own against any opponent.

Barrios would help steer Spurs back onto more stable ground. Not only is the Spanish star been tempered in the furnaces of Diego Simeone's steely system, but he's positive and proactive on the ball. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 5% of centre-midfielders across Europe over the past year for successful take-ons and the top 14% for interceptions per 90.

A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.

There is every reason for Spurs directors Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici to complete this deal. Gray is an exciting talent who may yet take a talismanic role in Frank's set-up, but he's not there yet.

The problem is that Gray's peers have hardly covered themselves in glory this season either, and a change is now needed, with plenty to play for this term.

Tottenham Hotspur's inconsistent form came back to bite them on Sunday afternoon.

Despite going into their Premier League game away to Nottingham Forest off the back of a draw away to Newcastle United and a win at home to Brentford, Thomas Frank's side looked second-best from the first minute to the last.

The North Londoners were unable to keep the hosts at bay, unable to create decent chances for themselves and generally looked bereft of ideas.

There were poor performers wherever you looked for Spurs, but two really stood out, one of which was Guglielmo Vicario.

Vicario's poor performance vs Forest

Vicario is a particularly frustrating goalkeeper: in one game, he can look like one of the best in the league, pulling off sensational saves, and the next game, he can look like one of the worst.

Unfortunately for Frank and Co, Sunday's match against Forest most certainly fell into the latter category.

For example, while he is not entirely blameless for the first goal, most of the blame for the hosts' second should fall at his feet.

If the Italian were better positioned for Callum Hudson-Odoi's audacious effort, then it would have been a relatively straightforward stop, and the Lilywhites would've still been in the game.

Unfortunately, the former Empoli man got it all wrong, and while he made some saves after the fact, it was too little too late.

It wasn't just his shot-stopping that was poor either, as in 96 minutes of action, the 29-year-old completed just 21 of 31 passes, was accurate in just three of his 12 attempted long balls and managed to lose the ball ten times despite taking just 39 touches.

In all, it was a truly terrible showing from Vicario, but while the media are mainly focusing on him, one of his teammates was arguably just as bad.

The Spurs dud who was as bad as Vicario

The bad news for Frank and Spurs fans is that you could realistically make the case for any number of players being the worst on Sunday, from Richalison to Mohammed Kudus and even Micky Van de Ven.

However, when it comes to the outfield player who was as disappointing and as detrimental to the side as Vicario, it is impossible to look past Pedro Porro.

The Spanish full-back is enormously talented, and at his best can be far more of an attacking outlet than most others in his position.

Unfortunately, he's not been anywhere near his best for some time, and was arguably at his worst on Sunday.

The former Sporting CP was entirely ineffective in attack, a massive liability in defence and, unsurprisingly, the watching press were not impressed with what they saw.

For example, the Standard's Matt Verri awarded the full-back a 2/10 match rating, writing that he was 'shocking defensively' and that he 'frustrated throughout.'

This may all sound a little hypobolic, or unfair, but the 26-year-old's statistics prove otherwise.

In his 96 minutes on the pitch, the Spaniard produced an expected assists figure of just 0.04, lost four of his six ground duels, committed two fouls, failed to play a key pass, failed in 100% of his dribbles and took 81 touches, but lost the ball 23 times.

Ultimately, Sunday was a terrible day at the office for the entire Spurs' squad, but Vicario and Porro were particularly poor, and Frank should really be looking to drop them.