Three things we learned from Tottenham loss as Thomas Frank can no longer ignore the obvious | OneFootball

Spurs are now just five points off the bottom three after another defeat

Thomas Frank is on the brink of the sack after Tottenham fell to within five points of the relegation zone following a 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle.

Newcastle have struggled away from home all season, but came to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and dominated in the first-half, getting the goal their performance deserved when Malick Thiaw stabbed home on the stroke of half-time.

Spurs mustered a reaction after the break and equalised through Archie Gray, but Newcastle responded quickly to retake the lead as Jacob Ramsey finished after Anthony Gordon had worked his way into the area with some neat footwork before comfortably holding on for all three points.

Spurs remain firmly in the relegation mix

Thomas Frank was keen to avoid the subject of relegation in his pre-match press conference.

His straight-up refusal to use the word felt like a premeditated decision not to speak the idea of relegation into existence.

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Ultimately, it is unthinkable to imagine a world in which Spurs, one of six clubs never to be relegated from the Premier League, are playing Championship football next season.

But having won two of their last 16 league games heading into tonight’s clash with Newcastle, it has been hard to escape the cold, hard reality of their situation, especially as those around them pick up form.

This was another reminder of just how bleak Spurs’ position in the league table is, and Newcastle’s goal on the stroke of half-time had been coming.

From the offset, Newcastle had the measure of Spurs, with Anthony Elanga running the game from the right wing.

Spurs were too passive in the first half, offered no threat in possession, and were too slow to react as Thiaw stole ahead of Pape Matar Sarr to score the opening goal.

There was some semblance of a reaction from Spurs after half-time as they equalised through Gray, but Newcastle quickly retook the lead and from there looked comfortable to seal only their third away win of the season in the league.

Spurs have a 12-day break until they play again in the north London derby. Whether Frank will be there to oversee a much-needed period of rest remains to be seen.

Dragusin and Van de Ven struggle to replace Romero’s influence

This was Radu Dragusin and Micky van de Ven’s first start together at centre-back since September 2024, and it certainly showed.

With Cristian Romero serving the first game of his four-game suspension after his sending off against Manchester United, Frank was reliant on his only two fit and available senior centre-backs to step up.

Yet, from the first whistle, it was clear the pair were struggling to forge a connection as they hastily hacked away several clearances after a frantic start from Newcastle.

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The pair were lucky to see Joe Willock’s goal ruled narrowly offside after he had got the run of Van De Ven by filling the space left by Dragusin’s hurried charge to close down Barnes.

Spurs’ last Premier League clean sheet came on New Year’s Day away to Brentford, and they never looked like ending that run here as Newcastle set the tempo early on before eventually striking right before half-time.

With Romero suspended and Kevin Danso out injured for the next few weeks at least, Spurs will have to persist with Dragusin and Van de Ven at the heart of defence.

Some much-needed time on the training ground will hopefully give them the time to develop an understanding ahead of the north London derby.

Odobert injury leaves Spurs to rue Johnson sale

Spurs could not have had any more warnings about their need to bring in a right winger in January.

Brennan Johnson’s sale just two days into the window felt hasty, and when Mohammed Kudus went down injured just 48 hours later, Spurs’ need for reinforcements out wide became a necessity.

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Still, Spurs persisted without replacing either Kudus or Johnson, determined not to make knee-jerk reactions in a window that offered clubs little value.

Their overarching policy made sense, with only seven deals made by Premier League clubs across the whole of Deadline Day, but as they identified when Rodrigo Bentancur was ruled out with a hamstring injury, the need for immediate cover in certain positions was glaring.

Now, with Wilson Odobert seemingly set for a spell on the sidelines after landing awkwardly following an attempted tackle on Harvey Barnes, Spurs have no natural right-wing options.

Randal Kolo Muani has played, to little effect, out on the right, but the fact that he was not called upon from the bench speaks to his place within this Spurs squad.

Spurs must surely be regretting not looking to bring in a winger on a short-term loan last month.