Get that Joe Jordan out of retirement.
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Manager Thomas Frank
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Don't do it mate. Had you on "Frank out" for no earlier than November.
The players injured are no worse (I'd argue the injury situation is better as we don't have Archie Gray and Ben Davies as our CB's this season).
The reality is our strikers are average and their is no midfield spark,. Xavi should be that midfield spark, but thasn't been.
I don't see any pattern of play going forward at all. There should be a semblance of it after 4 months of coaching.
What we're learning is that its really hard to find a manager that can make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. The Bodo manager appears one who can do that. Iraola is another example. But the big question is is a manager that does well for a small club not expected to win every game transferable in a big club that is expected to dominate the opposition. Its a huge leap that few managers make.
No four months is not enough time wasn't for Pochettino and here's the thing we dont even know which of the current incumbent Frank would replace if possible. Give the man a fraction of the largesse so many gsve that fraud Postecoglou. Amazing hypocrisy
There's a cognitive dissonance between your first sentence and second.
Because Ange did exactly the latter when he came in. I simply couldn't believe my eyes when I watched the football we played in August 2023 after the utter dross our 22/23 campaign had ended with. In one pre-season Ange got us playing daring, front-foot, one touch, attacking football that was thrilling to watch.
We all know it didn't last. But that first 3 months before the catastrophe of the Chelsea game and the injuries we incurred in it was absolutely thrilling and full of fluid attack and intent. All after losing Kane.
And this is where Frank has a terrible uphill battle. Because the crowd took to Ange from Game 1 - that weird almost American baseball chant of "Oohhh Ange Postecoglou..." was imbedded by match day 2. Everyone knew "we were back" - playing "the Tottenham way" (yes a cliche but it felt real at the time).
Crowd hasn't taken to Frank at all. Because why would you when his remit is to make us "safe". So he has to work so much harder than Ange ever did to win the crowd over. To make us believe - while also trying to make us harder to beat because we simply don't have the talent to dominate most other sides.
Already you can see the vultures circling over Frank. Now is the time to back him. Especially if you are one of those who turned on Ange for doing the same thing Frank is trying to do - make the best out of a pretty "meh" squad. You can either do that by going for broke, or by being hard to beat.
Let's give Frank the time he needs and the support he needs.
Very fair summary. Ange got people onside because the football was exciting but we all know in hindsight that it couldn't have lasted. In the premier league teams adjust and work you out after a few games. Worse than just nullifying the way we played, they exploited it and the fact we were so open.
Tonight wasn't good, Wolves wasn't good. I think Frank has to take some blame. I'd love to know where he thought our creativity was going to come from tonight but we're missing Maddison and Kulu and Kudus can't play every game. I think Xavi will come good but we started neither him nor Kudus tonight. Biggest issue is we couldn't keep the ball and it invited pressure too often because we kept giving it away. I was also concerned with how easily Bodo played through us. Why wasn't it changed ht, did he look at first half and think that went well?
Bottom line is we're nearing the Ange 10 game mark. We should probably give it another bit before calling Frank a success or failure.
Needs to play three at the back and let Udogie and Porro flow. Maybe that's the solution for our LW problems.
Being fair to Frank, he improved our defense. But when we have the ball we play exactly like Angeball, but with the fullbacks at the right place. Today and against Wolves I saw the same unorganized squad on the ball, everyone going forward, no pattern of play, the same void in midfield, Bentancur and Sarr hiding from the ball. Early days and I think Frank can fix this, but It seems like Ange is still training us sometimes.
It's plainly ridiculous to write Frank off.
It is however not easy to ignore some worrying signs. He has been very defensive and cautious. Our football going forward has been pretty awful - and Frank cannot escape some blame for it
The best bet atm is : we will be solid but unspectacular under him - mediocre. There seems a little of David Moyes type ceiling.
This of course could all change and we could be pleasantry surprised he starts to be more adventurous when Kulu comes back.
It is however not easy to ignore some worrying signs. He has been very defensive and cautious. Our football going forward has been pretty awful - and Frank cannot escape some blame for it
The best bet atm is : we will be solid but unspectacular under him - mediocre. There seems a little of David Moyes type ceiling.
This of course could all change and we could be pleasantry surprised he starts to be more adventurous when Kulu comes back.
Yeah, especially when the same hotch patch of midfield donkeys are still the same that Ange had to put up with. Except he didn't have a Simons back up.
Explain how that is evidenced?
We conceded 18 shots and an XG of 2.52 tonight. Last time we played there they had 7 shots and an xg of 0.42.
Very good post. I was meaning more towards the later parts of Ange's time. But by God he did start on fire. Had the Chelsea game not derailed us so much maybe it could have been different.
You do make a great point about Frank has not ignited much yet. His way is not so swashbuckling yet. All be it he isn't doing badly, and he has real problems to contend with.
For my non expert mind, Solanke being out is proving to be a profound loss when coupled with Kulu, Madders and losing Sonny. Muani as well, although I'm not sure what his strengths are.
I like him, but Richy just does not cut it most of the time. He loses it so easily compared to Solanke. Solanke can receive it and hold it then link plays or win free kicks. I think because the midfield is not settled the loss of Solanke is magnified as all the onus is on them because Richy is not able to contribute much link play.
Xavi has not settled in yet, the Brighton cameo was brilliant so we need to ensure the platform is there so he can play like that. Odobert and Tel I don't want to be harsh to as they can improve but they are not ideal LW options currently. They would not be starters for most PL teams I think based on their current level. Udogie seems to offer more in attack than Spence, so choosing who starts against who could also have a big effect on our attack.
Frank has lots on his plate already! It's ridiculous how many injuries we keep getting
Yes last night was a strange one, clearly not optimal conceding that many chances. I think in general though this season we are improved in defense, the positional sense is better so we often can recover mistakes or crowd out chances. Last night was not the normal, that's the most XG conceded all season surely? Not sure about Bournemouth as that was bad.
I do think we do give up too many shots still, hence I said we can improve, but unlike last night I think they are more pot shots than clear cuts.