'Small issue': Thomas Frank plays down Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven spat after Tottenham derby defeat

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·1 de noviembre de 2025

'Small issue': Thomas Frank plays down Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven spat after Tottenham derby defeat

The pair refused to acknowledge their manager after losing to Chelsea

Thomas Frank played down the significance of Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence heading straight down the tunnel after Tottenham's defeat to Chelsea.

Spurs were dismal as they were beaten 1-0 by their London rivals, having Guglielmo Vicario to thank for the fact Joao Pedro's first-half goal was the only one of the match.

There were boos from the home fans at half-time and again at the full-time whistle, following a performance that saw Spurs register their lowest xG in a Premier League match since records began.

Frank walked onto the pitch after the match and signalled to Van de Ven and Spence to do a lap of the pitch applauding the fans, but both instead ignored him and walked past, down the tunnel.

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The Spurs boss was seen glaring back at the pair, while set-piece coach Andreas Georgson was also unsuccessful in trying to keep Van de Ven on the pitch.

“All the players are of course frustrated," Frank explained.

"They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to perform well, so I understand that. I think it is about which is difficult to be consistent in good times and in bad times.

"That is why I went around to the fans as I did. It is more fun when we win, I can tell you that.”

Pressed on whether he thought it was acceptable from Van de Ven and Spence, Frank said: “I understand why you ask the question, but I think that is one of the small issues.

"We have Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence who are doing everything they can. They perform very well so far this season and everyone is frustrated. We do things in a different way, so I don’t think it is a big problem.”

Frank admitted he was "burning inside" after such a torrid performance, which makes it just one win from five home matches in the Premier League this season.

Frustrated: Djed Spence

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Spurs managed three shots in total in the match, only one of which was on target. The xG of 0.05 summed up Spurs' attacking efforts, in stark contrast to Chelsea's 2.92.

"I would say that of course hurt massively," Frank said.

"I've never been in charge of a team that created that little in one game. Never. So that of course I will look into what we can do to make it better. But I think that's one thing. I think everything is a little bit linked. And today yeah, we didn't hit the level.

Spurs have two more matches to come before the international break, in the Champions League in midweek against Copenhagen and then a Saturday lunchtime clash with Manchester United.

A lack of creativity has been the story of Spurs' season so far but Frank is confident the answers will come.

"I think every team I've coached has scored a lot of goals," Frank said.

"It will happen again in the future here."