Spurs boss Thomas Frank downplays Van de Ven and Spence’s snobbery but laments worst attacking display of his managerial career in Chelsea defeat.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has played down the apparent show of dissent from Mickey van de Ven and Djed Spence, but described his side’s performance against Chelsea as one of the worst attacking performances of his managerial career.
Spurs suffered their third consecutive home defeat with a miserable performance in a 1-0 London derby defeat thanks to Joao Pedro’s first-half goal.
The team were booed at full time after barely laying a glove on their opponents, with Van de Ven and Spence seemingly ignoring Frank’s instructions to wave to the supporters after the final whistle.
“I understand why you ask, but I think that’s one of the little problems,” Frank said of the incident.
“We have Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence who are doing everything they can. They are performing very well so far this season and everyone is frustrated. We are doing things in a different way, so I don’t think it’s a big problem.
“All the players are of course frustrated. They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to play well, so I understand that. I think it’s about whether it’s difficult to be consistent in good times and in bad times. That’s why I went to the fans the way I did. It’s more fun when you’re winning, I can tell you that.”
Frank laments his toothless display
Tottenham’s poor attacking performance is perhaps best described by their xG (expected goals) total for the match, which finished at just 0.05xG – the lowest for a Premier League team home or away this season and the lowest ever since Opta began collecting Premier League xG data in 2012/13.
Frank added: “I would say, of course, it hurts immensely. I’ve never been in charge of a team that created so little in one game, ever.
“So, of course, I’m going to see what we can do to improve things. But I think it’s one thing. I think it’s all kind of connected. And today, yeah, we didn’t reach the level.”
Asked how a Tottenham team trailing against Chelsea could fail to register a single shot in the second half, Frank replied: “Good question. There’s probably no single answer to that question. One thing is for sure: we have to do better.”
Frank: The new look needs time
Although he admitted the hosts were well below the required standards, Frank insisted his new team, and particularly his attacking players, needed more time to solidify.
“Today there was a snapshot that didn’t look good,” Frank said. “I think there have certainly been other periods that have been better. There is no doubt, and I keep saying it, that we have a front four that is new.
“We have to build together with short deadlines in matches. We will do that. I have no doubt that it will happen. I think every team I have coached has scored a lot of goals. It will happen again in the future here.
“It’s extremely painful and of course it’s part of the job to face yourself now and answer the really good questions while you’re burning inside. And you like to find solutions and watch the game and see what went wrong, but I think it’s about trying to stay calm.”
