Van de Ven and Spence apologized

It wasn’t a good idea after a demoralizing loss, but Frank said both men recognized they were wrong.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League match against FC Copenhagen in north London, the former Brentford manager said: “Micky and Djed came into my office yesterday and just said they wanted to apologize for the situation. They didn’t want it to seem bad or that there was any misconception that one might have in this beautiful media world.

“So there was no disrespect towards me or the team. They were just frustrated with our performance and the booing during the match.

“Of course I was happy that they came because I knew the questions would come today. We had a good conversation but we’ll keep it internal. It would be very, very, very unusual for me to throw a player under the bus, because we’re all human.”

One of the small problems – Frank

Speaking immediately after the match, Frank tried to downplay the significance of the two players’ dissent and insisted it was no big deal, especially against the backdrop of another home defeat.

“I understand why you’re asking, 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.”

Helpless Spurs fail at home again

Tottenham have not won a home league game since matchday one and recorded an xG of just 0.05 against Chelsea – the lowest for a Premier League team home or away this season and the lowest ever recorded by Tottenham since Opta began collecting Premier League xG data in 2012/13.

It sparked a furious reaction at the final whistle, with Spurs fans expressing their anger, but Frank insists the team is improving.

“Of course, if I’m honest, it’s a relatively small sample to look at,” he said. “Above all, we have to work very hard to keep adding performances, keep adding layers, keep improving. We are working very hard on the training ground, in the meeting rooms on actions and I see good improvement in the team in general.

“Of course we’re looking back at a poor performance – there’s a big flash at the moment. Everyone’s having a bit of a hard time looking past that and seeing some of the really good performances we’ve had this year as well.

“I also think we are coming off what was in many ways a fantastic season and also a difficult season. If someone had said we would now be on 17 points after 10 games, unbeaten in the Champions League – not everything is perfect, but there is a decent basis.

“Everyone would have taken the situation we are in now with 22 defeats last year and a 17th place.”