Under-fire Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has issued a passionate plea for unity with the club's increasingly disconnected fanbase, declaring the team is "nothing without the fans" ahead of a daunting trip to Newcastle United.
A Fortress Fractured: Spurs' Dire Home Form
The call for solidarity comes on the back of another disastrous result at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. On Saturday, Spurs slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham, a result met with loud boos at both half-time and full-time. The atmosphere soured further when goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was jeered following a comical error during the match.
This latest setback underscores a shocking run of home form. Tottenham's last Premier League victory on their own turf was on the opening day of the season. They have managed to win just three of their last 21 home games, a statistic that has fuelled growing dissatisfaction among supporters.
Frank's Rallying Cry: 'We Need Each Other'
Reflecting on the toxic atmosphere, Frank, who had initially criticised some supporters as "not true Tottenham fans", sought to clarify his position. "I completely understand the frustration," Frank stated. "If we don't win, there will always be a frustration, so that is normal."
He then delivered his core message: "We are nothing without the fans. No club is anything without the fans. Tottenham Hotspur, we are nothing without our fantastic fans. Nothing. We need each other."
Frank elaborated that his earlier comments were specifically about support during the 90 minutes. "My point was during matches that's where we need each other. After, fair with the booing, but during, that is when I want to create a fortress," he explained. "If you want to create a fortress, it can only be together. Fans, team."
Porro Backlash and Defining a 'True Fan'
Frank's sentiments were echoed by defender Pedro Porro, who posted an image on his Instagram addressed "to the true Spurs fans", sparking a significant backlash online. When asked if Porro was right to post, Frank replied, "I think it's fair. The players, they are individual people that can have their own opinions."
Pushed on how he defines a "true" supporter, Frank attempted to be more inclusive. "How do you define a true Spurs fan? I think all the fantastic fans we have believe they're true Spurs fans," he said. "Some react in one way, some react in another... No matter what, we need all of them."
He questioned the scale of the disconnect, asking: "When you say you lose the fans, how many is that? Five per cent? 10 per cent? 15 per cent? 20 per cent? How much is it?" Frank concluded that the only way to bring everyone back on board is to "perform and keep connected".
An Ominous Trip to Tyneside
The attempt to mend fences comes before a particularly ominous fixture. Spurs travel to face Newcastle United at St James' Park on Tuesday, a ground that has become an unhappy hunting ground. Tottenham have lost their last four visits to Newcastle, including a 6-1 thrashing in 2023 that led to the immediate sacking of then-interim manager Cristian Stellini.
Whether Frank's words can forge a temporary peace and inspire a much-needed performance against Newcastle remains to be seen, but the need for improvement—both on the pitch and in the relationship with the stands—is starkly clear.
