I actually feel sorry for Frank. I can see he is doing his best. It was just a horrible appointment for both him and us. He inherited a screwed up, mis-managed squad, with major players missing long term thru injury, and a team in a death spiral form wise. Importantly, his ethos / approach is not aligned at all with the expectations of the fans. Whilst I'd rather this failed appointment ended as soon as possible, there were some green shoots of encouragement that he has to grasp should he cling on a little longer!
1. Do not play Spence at LB any more! Opponents can shut him down too easily and it ruins the balance of the entire side. Two games from Ben Davies has shown how much better a natural left footer is at LB for basic passages of play. In Frank's system the LB only has to get the ball from the LCB and pass it to the LWF. That is it. Spence cannot do that under any king if organised press. The LB pecking order should be Udogie > Davies > VDV / yoof. Rotate between Davies and Udogie to keep both fit.
2. Rotate Porro. This is linked to #1. Porro is in the middle of a big slump form-wise and has been for weeks/months. He is one of our best passers and free kick takers and yet is in horrible form. Play Spence for a coiupel of weeks to rest him.
3. Play a higher line / press harder at home. Our CM is not very mobile and cannot control a game, so when we defend in a low block at home we are getting dominated too easily. VdV has rocket fuel in his boots. Spence and Udogie are both rapid. Your back 4 can compress play into the opponents half. Turning over the ball in the opponent's half will get the best out of Xavi Simons who loves receiving the ball on the turn in a transition.
4. Go all in on Muani / Odobert / Simons / Tel. Start them together in every home game. Praise them, free them, blow smoke up their arses, give them the freedom to do what they want.
5. Do not be scared to start Danso over Romero. Not as good a line breaking passer, but less mistakes / less free-kicks conceded / less cards.