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Manager Thomas Frank

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Are you Frank Out or In?

  • Total voters
    623
Airfixx said:
Interesting take......

Begs the question; what profile of manager would have suitably commanded their respect?

Back to the Conte/Jose shelf..... ?

....of which; who was available?
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i do think the first issue is motivation of the players unfortunately. clubs like united and liverpool have their histories and mobs of ex players in the media to motivate them and we just don't have that. i don't think a rah-rah manager is necessarily the answer but someone with high integrity who won't accept the kinds of performances we frequently trot out is a good start.
 
Harry Vaginola said:
i do think the first issue is motivation of the players unfortunately. clubs like united and liverpool have their histories and mobs of ex players in the media to motivate them and we just don't have that. i don't think a rah-rah manager is necessarily the answer but someone with high integrity who won't accept the kinds of performances we frequently trot out is a good start.
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I always liked Pochs line, (paraphrasing) "you dont have a contract to play, you have a contract to train"

I think motivation, or call it what you will, is about standards and expectations. Its cultural, and it comes from the top down.

For me, it comes from strong leadership and consequences to standards not being met.
 
Have to admit I really can’t figure what Frank’s plan is. Whilst not really being delighted by his appointment I did think he’d create a gestalt which would paper over the cracks of our greatest weakness, the permanent handicap that is our recruitment dept

But if anything it’s the opposite, squad looks fractured, respect is lacking and the style of football dire.

This run out of ideas and chip Richy a 50/50 from the flanks which he inevitably loses isn’t a style, it’s an admission, one of a vacuity of talent and ability.

Without this unity I thought he’d bring I just don’t see the point in him
 
postbox said:
I think its fair to say it takes time to build the long term vision.

If we had designs on some total football type set up, it could take a number of seasons to get the foundations in place, squad in place, and evolve in stages to the desired level

However, the idea that you cant expect more in the short term "because time" just isnt true. We can expect more of Frank at this stage that we are currently seeing, so the criticism is valid - providing its within reasonable expectation.

I think our squad has some weakness and some imbalance, but I also think its capable of far more than we are seeing now.
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This …. In the short term he has to be doing better

And the long term…. What’s the vision?
 
Notabadsquad said:
Not sure about the gay bloke in a brothel analogy, but hey ho.

On the rest, I think it sits on so many levels.

You ask what goes on in training. Good question, but surely Premier League (and international footballers some or most of them), do not need to be trained in how to pass the ball to a team mate?

If Frank is sat on the touchline, presumably watching the crap of yesterday, he sends a clear and unequivocal message, motherly taking a player or players off, regardless of time player in the match.

Yesterday, Frank lost the remaining credit he had with me.

His team selection was predictable but failed to recognise the sense in playing Johnson at his old stomping ground. He kept non-perfprnimg players on for too long and compounded it with substitutions which were so backward as to defy logic.

And what makes Frank's position untenable for me now is that we played so ineptly against a bang average side, having just been on a 3-match unbeaten ru

Both Lverpool and Palace should brush us aside.

The man (Frank) is out of his depth.
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You think gay blokes would be interested in a brothel?
 
Shadydan said:
He should be looking at some of these players and thinking how to get the best out of them, I haven't seen one player who has actually improved under him yet.
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I’d argue that’s as much on the players.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had enough of Frank and his cowardice, it’s just I’ve also had enough of these players and their fucking uselessness.

To moan at the fans (Fulham game) for getting on their back after another shit show after we’ve had nearly 2 seasons of it - who do these fucks think they are. Then we give them 2 days off because they won at home to Brentford and Slavia Prague only for them to serve that up yesterday.
 
RealCoolYid said:
Have to admit I really can’t figure what Frank’s plan is. Whilst not really being delighted by his appointment I did think he’d create a gestalt which would paper over the cracks of our greatest weakness, the permanent handicap that is our recruitment dept

But if anything it’s the opposite, squad looks fractured, respect is lacking and the style of football dire.

This run out of ideas and chip Richy a 50/50 from the flanks which he inevitably loses isn’t a style, it’s an admission, one of a vacuity of talent and ability.

Without this unity I thought he’d bring I just don’t see the point in him
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I was just thinking through similar.

What is "peak Frank"?

As in, with all things going his way, what does a prime Frank Spurs team look like?

And I cant help thinking, its basically Brentford. Im not sure I see him developing/evolving past that sort of set up.

So it will be pretty high intensity, high/effective pressing, efficient/direct passing style, semi-counter attacking primarily, and just all about efficiency.

I can see a kind of ruthless but boring side. Remember Chelsea under Mourinho? Somehow leagues top scorers but dull as dishwater and lacking in any real character etc. Something in that vein.

And the more I think about it, the more I think Frank just isnt really Spurs. Certainly not long term. What he could be is the guy that rights the ship, puts the foundations in place - ready for the next guy to take it to the next level...
 
Richard Splash said:
I’d argue that’s as much on the players.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had enough of Frank and his cowardice, it’s just I’ve also had enough of these players and their fucking uselessness.

To moan at the fans (Fulham game) for getting on their back after another shit show after we’ve had nearly 2 seasons of it - who do these fucks think they are. Then we give them 2 days off because they won at home to Brentford and Slavia Prague only for them to serve that up yesterday.
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Buck always stops with the manager - I just can't believe not one player has improved under this manager yet - that says a lot.
 
RealCoolYid said:
Have to admit I really can’t figure what Frank’s plan is. Whilst not really being delighted by his appointment I did think he’d create a gestalt which would paper over the cracks of our greatest weakness, the permanent handicap that is our recruitment dept

But if anything it’s the opposite, squad looks fractured, respect is lacking and the style of football dire.

This run out of ideas and chip Richy a 50/50 from the flanks which he inevitably loses isn’t a style, it’s an admission, one of a vacuity of talent and ability.

Without this unity I thought he’d bring I just don’t see the point in him
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I appreciate our front line isnt the greatest, but even so between Muani, Richarlison, Zavi, Tel, Odobert, Johnson, Kudus... theres enough there to work with to not appear utterly clueless. Even just some basic instruction should get more from them.

And with Palhinha, Bergval, Bentancur, Gray, Sarr - yes less than idea or balanced midfield, but again - a good coach should be able to make something work there
 
Sir Alfred Conn said:
I've no idea what goes on in training/ pre match cos when we come out there is no spark, no flare no passion.

Look at Spence for example. Back at his old club, should have been fired up but as interested as a gay bloke in a brothel. See his reaction to being subbed? Where was the player who forced himself into England selection?

I switched over to watch some of the Sunderland. Their players were positively rabid, throwing themselves into tackles, fighting blood, sweat and tears for the club . Our guys throw their hands in the air and move on. No passion. Spence, Berg, Sarr, Xavi, VDV and Cuti should/must start each game, stop fannying around as if you do not know your best team

I've said this before, but THFC is an entertainment business, not a football club and this malaise is spreading to the team. The players live in luxurious surroundings and are pampered little souls.

As for Frank, I'm not for constantly chopping and changing managers despite the good words posted on this thread. We do need some stability. However, this only works if we can see a system, a consistent approach in team selection and play. We are not. I too believe that defeats to the Dippers and Palace will make his position almost untenable
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You make an excellent point !!
I ended up watching Sunderland & they supposedly don't have the talent that Spurs have but they certainly play with passion. Does that come from being a promoted club playing in the Prem or has the club themselves promoted that attitude.
 
MemphisWill said:
I think we'll take 12 from that run of fixtures. That's an optimistic view, I admit, but I do think that's what we'll get.

I do concede that Poch was really starting to get things moving in the right direction at this point in 2014, and that Frank is yet to do so 11 years later.

I do think Frank will take longer to get things turned around, and part of that is the job is harder at the moment.

Poch came after AVB, so the squad was already prepped a good but for how he wanted to play. Poch also had Harry Kane coming to the fore, the likes of which Frank will likely never see - in any event, he's yet to get his #9 on the pitch. Poch had Eriksen, where Frank has an injured Maddison. Poch had Lloris, Frank has Vicario.

Poch had Walker and Rose, Frank has Porro and Spence/Udogie. Now that one is a bit revisionist because neither of those Poch era fullbacks were highly regarded at the time but Poch developed them (after this point of comparison, mind you) into the top fullback pair in the world for a brief time.

Poch had Vertonghen, Frank has Romero. People might think thats a toss up, or even that Romero is better. It isn't, and he isn't. Vertonghen was better.

Both had/have a midfield of JAGs (Just A Guy). Poch had Dembele, but he still hadn't figured out what to do with Dembele at this time.

Chadli/Townsend/Lamela v Odobert/Johnson/Simons. Former cost a whole lot less (though there were/are high expectations for Lamela and Simons). Arguably the latter are not even playing as well. And that's what Frank's job is, really - get players like that trio to take it up several levels. He needs some rope to do that, developing players takes some time, but he will live and die by how that trio and Udogie/Spence get on. If he can get them pointed in the right direction, he'll stay.
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Poch made a simple choice. Back youngsters or don’t. The gamble paid off. With Harry Kane being a “one season wonder”.

Frank just doesn’t have that goal threat in his squad.
 
postbox said:
I appreciate our front line isnt the greatest, but even so between Muani, Richarlison, Zavi, Tel, Odobert, Johnson, Kudus... theres enough there to work with to not appear utterly clueless. Even just some basic instruction should get more from them.

And with Palhinha, Bergval, Bentancur, Gray, Sarr - yes less than idea or balanced midfield, but again - a good coach should be able to make something work there
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You list those names but Johnson and Richarlison often barely resemble footballers.

I think extreme decisions are required if Frank has any hope of survival. E.g Richy and Bentancur permanently dropped.

Tel or Muani as our 9. At least a bit of energy and a glimmer of technical ability.
Just get more legs in midfield.
Palhinha as 6 as no one else can defend. Get Gray and Bergvall around him. Xavi is too lightweight for most games. Sarr too ropey technically.

Stick with an 11 and play them into some form. You cant be making 4/5 changes every game when you don't even know your best XI.

Kinsky
Spence - Romero - Danso - VDV
Palhinha - Gray
Bergvall
Kudus - Muani - Tel​
 
postbox said:
I appreciate our front line isnt the greatest, but even so between Muani, Richarlison, Zavi, Tel, Odobert, Johnson, Kudus... theres enough there to work with to not appear utterly clueless. Even just some basic instruction should get more from them.

And with Palhinha, Bergval, Bentancur, Gray, Sarr - yes less than idea or balanced midfield, but again - a good coach should be able to make something work there
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I browse redcafe on occasion and have seen many of them say we have one of the worst frontlines in the league.
 
VonnegutBusy said:
You list those names but Johnson and Richarlison often barely resemble footballers.

I think extreme decisions are required if Frank has any hope of survival. E.g Richy and Bentancur permanently dropped.

Tel or Muani as our 9. At least a bit of energy and a glimmer of technical ability.
Just get more legs in midfield.
Palhinha as 6 as no one else can defend. Get Gray and Bergvall around him. Xavi is too lightweight for most games. Sarr too ropey technically.

Stick with an 11 and play them into some form. You cant be making 4/5 changes every game when you don't even know your best XI.

Kinsky
Spence - Romero - Danso - VDV
Palhinha - Gray
Bergvall
Kudus - Muani - Tel​
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Cant say I agree with your assessment exactly, but I do agree with your point.

Frank is meant to be a coach, a person who improves players, who gets the most out of his resources.

He is not doing that right now.

And Im a great believer in a coach being able to have a team punch above its weight and be greater than the sum of its parts.

Right now, Frank looks the opposite.

And I do think our squad is decent, if flawed. It should be doing far more than it is right now.
 
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