Frank backs Gray to bounce back from poor performance in Tottenham loss to Forest | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Archie Gray was in the spotlight this week following a poor performance in the demoralising 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The Spurs ace gave Guglielmo Vicario a bad pass that was seized upon, and the North London side were made to pay the price.

Many Tottenham fans have been clamouring to see Gray start games, but his performance left a lot to be desired.

Besides the error leading to the goal, he did not win any duel and was a passenger as Tottenham were comprehensively crushed.

Heading into the new game week, Spurs manager Thomas Frank was asked how the 19-year-old is dealing with the criticism.

Frank said (via THFC’s website), “He’s been good. Also, when I watched the game back, I think actually he was the one that wanted the ball instant after the mistake.

“So I like that mentality, wanting to get on the ball. It’s part of it. Everyone who played football at this level or any level made a mistake.

“You make a mistake in life, you need to go back on it and go again.

“The beautiful thing about football, especially at this level, and in Tottenham, if you make a mistake, you can be pretty sure there will be a few questions about it.

“But you, of course, need to be able to manage it, and he will do that.”

There is no doubting Gray’s talent or mentality, and Frank is right to highlight the teenager’s willingness to demand the ball again after a costly mistake.

That courage will serve him well in the long run.

But development is not always linear, and throwing a 19-year-old straight back into the furnace against Liverpool may do more harm than good.

For this clash, pragmatism should prevail. A midfield pivot of Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha offers far more control and protection.

Dropping Gray would not be a punishment, but sensible management.

A brief spell on the bench could ease the spotlight, protect his confidence, and allow him to learn from the sidelines.

There will be plenty of time to build him up again, but against Liverpool, Spurs need experience, steel, and stability in the engine room.