Booing Fans And Player Snubs Add Pressure To Frank

Tottenham’s latest home defeat was met with open hostility from their supporters, as boos echoed around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following a lifeless 1–0 loss to Chelsea. The frustration from the stands was mirrored on the pitch, where two Spurs players appeared to ignore their manager’s post-match gesture.

As Thomas Frank urged his players to take part in the traditional lap of appreciation, cameras caught Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence walking straight down the tunnel, refusing to acknowledge either their manager or the fans who had voiced their anger throughout the match.

“All the players are of course frustrated,” Frank said when asked about the incident. “They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to perform well, so I understand that. I think it is about, which is difficult, to be consistent in good times and in bad times. That is why I went around to the fans as I did. It is more fun when we win, I can tell you that.”

The fans’ jeers came after another gutless display at home, where Spurs recorded their lowest-ever expected goals figure since data was first collected in 2012/13.

Footage of Van de Ven and Spence’s reaction quickly circulated online, prompting questions about player discipline and dressing-room harmony. But Frank played down the incident, insisting it was not a sign of deeper unrest.

“I understand why you ask the question, but I think that’s the, how can you say, one of the small issues,” the Dane said. “We have Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence doing everything they can. I think they have performed very well so far this season. Everyone is frustrated. We do things in a different way, so I don’t think it’s a big problem.”

Despite Frank’s attempt to calm speculation, the optics were damning. As he made his way around the pitch to applaud the supporters, loud boos met him from all corners of the stadium. Tottenham have now lost 12 of their past 19 Premier League home games, and patience among the fanbase is wearing thin.

But unless the boos turn back into cheers soon, the Dane risks losing not just the faith of his supporters — but, perhaps more worryingly, the full backing of his players.

_{Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Kadin Eksteen, Unsplash / Winston Tjia}