Thomas Frank claims to have Spurs backing despite FA Cup exit
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank insists he has the board's backing despite the team's dismal form.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Thomas Frank insisted he retains the support of Tottenham Hotspur’s hierarchy after their FA Cup exit against Aston Villa piled pressure on the beleaguered boss.
Frank’s side crashed out in the third round on Jan 10 as first-half goals from Villa’s Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers inspired a 2-1 win in north London. Wilson Odobert reduced the deficit in Tottenham’s improved second-half display, but it was too little, too late for Frank.
The former Brentford boss has lost seven of his last 13 matches in all competitions, with Tottenham out of both domestic cups and 14th in the Premier League.
They remain in Champions League contention, but Frank faces a fight to stay in charge. Fans jeered at the final whistle, though Frank insists he’ll be given time to improve their form.
“Completely feel the support. No doubt about that. Of course, we are disappointed by the result and the fact that we don’t have better results,” he said.
“We need to put more and better performances together and keep pushing forward.”
It was another week to forget for Frank after he inadvertently angered Spurs fans by drinking from a cup with the logo of north London rivals Arsenal on it before a 3-2 loss at Bournemouth
Tempers spilled over at full-time on Jan 10 after Villa forward Ollie Watkins celebrated in front of Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha, who clashed with the England international, as well as Rogers and Ezri Konsa, in an ugly brawl.
Frank admitted he was hurt by the defeat, but defended his players’ involvement in the row.
“We are all hurt. There is nothing we want to do more than to get through to the next round, no matter who we face. We play at home, we had a good opportunity and unfortunately we couldn’t go through,” Frank said.
Asked if his players were losing control after they also clashed with Tottenham fans at Bournemouth, Frank said: “The players gave everything, everything out there, losing a tight game, the season not going perfect, and I think Ollie is very provoking.
“The way he is going down to celebrate in front of the Villa fans and he is walking into Joao (Palhinha), he can just easily walk around. I think everyone that has been in a competitive nature, that is difficult and can trigger things.”
He said his own players had “passion” and “want to do very well for the club”.
Meanwhile, Liam Rosenior enjoyed a 5-1 win at Charlton Athletic in his first match in charge of Chelsea on Jan 10, but the FA Cup thrashing of a struggling second-tier side is unlikely to tell him much about bigger challenges ahead.
Chelsea went 2-0 up through defenders Jorrel Hato and Tosin Adarabioyo before Miles Leaburn pulled one back for Charlton. Marc Guiu restored the two-goal lead, and stoppage-time strikes from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez underscored the gulf between the sides.
Rosenior left some of Chelsea’s regular starters out of the squad as he allowed Cole Palmer, Reece James and Malo Gusto time to recover from knocks they picked up in the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Fulham on Jan 7
Others such as Joao Pedro and Trevoh Chalobah never made it off the bench, giving Rosenior a chance to assess some of the backup players in his squad.
“It’s a good start, but it’s just a start and we have to stay consistent in a very, very hectic schedule,” said the 41-year-old Englishman.
Chelsea face a stiffer test on Jan 14 when they host Arsenal in a League Cup semi-final, first-leg match before the visit of in-form Brentford in the league three days later. AFP, REUTERS
