Thomas Frank insists Tottenham remain in transition as fans express frustration after Brentford draw

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·2 gennaio 2026

Thomas Frank insists Tottenham remain in transition as fans express frustration after Brentford draw

Dane’s side showed little sign of improvement against Brentford on Thursday and were booed off at full-time

Thomas Frank has said he will not shy away from embracing expectation despite admitting that Tottenham are a club in transition.

The Spurs boss was subjected to boos as he went over to thank the travelling support at the Gtech Community Stadium on New Year’s Day, with his side producing a performance desperately devoid of inspiration on his return to west London.

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After the game, Frank acknowledged supporters’ frustrations, but said his side’s lack of attacking intent was in part down to where the club finds itself after a difficult year on and off the pitch.

It was a message he was keen to impress again as he spoke to the press on Friday afternoon, launching into a near four-minute monologue about the club’s current plight.

“I think expectation is good, and I also think we are probably in a bit of a transition. Not that we don’t want to play a lot better, but the club, the squad, the injuries, all that taken into consideration, is part of that,” said Frank.

“What I'm 100 per cent sure will happen is that I know we will be able to score a lot of goals and I know we will be much more dominant in a lot of games, but with the current situation with too many of the top players out, playing a lot of games, that just makes it more tricky, also with no time to train, it’s just reality.”

Frank, whose side produced just two shots on target against Brentford, arrived at a club which, despite lifting the Europa League in May, finished 17th in the Premier League last season.

The Dane says he knew the gravity of the situation when he took the job in June, but with long-term injuries to Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Dominic Solanke significantly depleting Spurs’ attacking options, he has been cautious not to let expectations get out of hand in his debut season.

“I think it's also okay to mention that we still lack some very important offensive players that’s been out for a while,” Frank continued.

“I don't want to mention it again. I'm getting a little bit bored, very bored, and sick and tired of naming them. And on top of that, we didn't have Xavi Simons for various reasons, or Lucas Bergvall (against Brentford).

“So that's where we are right now. It's unfortunately very boring, but that's the fact.”

Frank wants his team to play on the front foot, and says they will endeavour to do so when they host Sunderland this weekend - Three points against Regis Le Bris’ side would make it seven points from a possible nine and change the mood around the club yet again in what has been a topsy-turvy season.

However, there is a line, he admits, between playing aggressive, attacking football and opening up defensively. This is the balance Frank is trying so hard to straddle as outside noise builds.

“We need to do everything we can to put an attacking, intense, front-footed performance out against Sunderland in two days' time. I'll do everything I can to make sure we do that. And if we do that and get three points, it's seven from three, which would be a very good output.”