Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has delivered a candid assessment of the pressures he has faced since taking charge, admitting he is still searching for his strongest starting eleven. The Dane prepares for an emotional reunion with former club Brentford this Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with his new side desperate for a first Premier League home win since the opening day.
The Weight of Expectation in North London
Frank, who spent nine years at Brentford, acknowledged the significant step up in pressure since his summer move across the capital. After nearly six months in the Spurs hot-seat, the 52-year-old conceded the adaptation period has been stressful. He has won just eight of his opening 22 matches in all competitions, a record he is keen to improve.
"Definitely, I've felt that," Frank stated when asked about the increased scrutiny. "It hasn't surprised me because I knew that was the difference when I walked into it. But you don't truly know it until you're standing in it. So now I know it's 'okay, it's like this,' and then we deal with it."
The Search for a Consistent Spurs Lineup
A central issue for Frank has been identifying his most effective team. When questioned if he was still determining his best Tottenham XI, he gave an honest reply. "Yes, I think it's fair," he said. "I've got an idea of quite a few positions but there's competition, so it's not that easy to say 'okay, it's just those 11' because you need more than 11 players."
He elaborated that most settled sides have a core of nine ever-present players, with perhaps two positions rotating. This search for consistency is hampered by a relentless fixture schedule, a stark contrast to his time at Brentford where he often enjoyed full weeks of training. Saturday's match will be Tottenham's fourth game in just 11 days, a rhythm Frank identifies as his biggest challenge.
Rectifying a Dire Home Record
The immediate task is to fix Spurs' alarming form at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The team has secured only one Premier League home victory this season, a 1-0 win over Burnley on the opening day. From seven home league encounters, that solitary triumph is a major concern, leaving Spurs with just one more home point than Wolverhampton Wanderers, who prop up the home table.
Frank's side are without a win in six matches across all competitions. They head into the Brentford clash after a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United on Tuesday night. There is a minor boost on the injury front, with both Destiny Udogie and Brennan Johnson declared fit after overcoming slight fitness concerns at St James' Park.
For Frank, the fixture represents a pivotal moment. Facing the club he helped establish in the Premier League adds a personal layer, but the professional necessity is clear: three points are essential to lift the mood and begin climbing the table. How he selects his team to tackle Keith Andrews' Brentford side will be the first indication of whether he is closer to finding the formula that has so far eluded him.
