LONDON, February 22, 2024 — Growing discontent with manager Thomas Frank reached a boiling point among Tottenham supporters, with audible calls for his dismissal during and after recent matches, despite a recent win.
Fan Frustration Mounts Despite Improved Performance
Spurs fans are increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with manager Thomas Frank, even after a positive first-half showing in a recent match.
- A significant portion of Tottenham fans openly called for Frank’s removal during a recent game.
- The team’s inconsistent performances, particularly a stark contrast between halves, are fueling the discontent.
- While some fans acknowledged improvement, many remain unconvinced Frank is the right manager for the club.
The frustration was palpable during the defeat by West Ham, with fans chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at Frank. That sentiment carried over before Tuesday’s match, according to supporters interviewed after the game.
“I really do think 99% of this stadium are Frank out,” said Sarah Sturgeon-Scraggs, a Tottenham supporter who has attended home games with her father, Ronnie, since she was nine years old. “I have enjoyed coming to the matches because of the people we sit with and I get to spend time with my dad, but we get so little joy.”
Ronnie Sturgeon-Scraggs echoed her daughter’s feelings, stating, “Barring some sort of miracle on player support, style and results instantly the fans have abandoned him and I feel personally that he must go.”
Even a much-improved first-half performance wasn’t enough to sway their opinions, as a return to a more conservative approach in the second half drew criticism. “The first half was really enjoyable,” Sarah said. “There was a lot more movement, a lot more forward passing and a press. However, the second-half performance shows why Frank is not the right person to be managing this team. We went to five at the back, the game ground to a halt. It sucked the joy out of it yet again. I am still Frank out.”
Fellow supporter Ali Speechly shared a similar view before the match. “If we could see signs of what he is trying to achieve we might have more patience,” she said. “It looks like a bunch of players doing what they want.” After the game, she added, “Much better first half, where has that been? But second half we were dead again. They either play a good first half or second half. It feels Thomas Frank can’t string the two together.”
However, not all fans were ready to write off Frank entirely. Alfie, who stated before the match that Tottenham were playing “like a Championship team,” offered a more optimistic assessment after the game. “The first half was brilliant. The second half wasn’t great but we didn’t concede. But I am really happy with the result and I think Frank might have a lot more up his sleeve than we think.”
