Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has conceded he is still uncertain about his strongest starting eleven as he prepares for an emotional reunion with former club Brentford this weekend. The Dane faces a critical Premier League fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where his new side have secured just one league victory all season.
A Freak Start and a Mental Battle
The pressure intensified after Spurs equalled a club record with their 10th home defeat of 2025 against Fulham last Saturday. The loss was compounded by a disastrous opening six minutes, which saw Fulham race into a 2-0 lead. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was booed by a section of supporters after an error for the second goal.
Frank, however, is adamant his squad will not panic if they concede first again. "It was a freak six minutes," he stated. "I think it's about talking about it. You can't run away from it. No matter what happens, stick to the plan. Be calm, and encourage each other." The spirits of the squad were lifted by a spirited midweek draw at Newcastle, where Cristian Romero scored a spectacular overhead kick in added time.
The Constant Search for the Right Formula
Frank's admission about his team selection comes amid significant tactical tinkering. To manage a demanding schedule of two games per week, he has rotated his squad frequently; only Chelsea and Wolves have made more changes this Premier League season. The left side of the attack remains a particular puzzle, with Brennan Johnson, Mathys Tel, and Wilson Odobert all being used there.
Furthermore, the £51 million signing Xavi Simons has not started any of the last four matches. When asked directly if he was still searching for his optimal lineup, Frank replied: "Yes, I think it's fair. I've got an idea of quite a few positions. I also think there's competition so it's not that easy all the time to say: 'OK, it's just those 11.'"
He hinted that a core group would emerge, saying: "It will be closer and closer until you see the main nine or 10 players that we go with."
Old Friendships Put on Ice for 90 Minutes
Saturday's match holds personal significance for Frank, who spent nine years at Brentford before succeeding Ange Postecoglou at Spurs last summer. He insisted that all friendships would be forgotten during the game. The fixture presents an opportunity for both struggling sides, with Brentford having lost six of their seven away league games this term.
Frank also drew a parallel between Simons and Mikkel Damsgaard, a playmaker he nurtured at Brentford. He expressed strong belief in Simons' potential, noting: "That's one of the reasons why we got him here. I think he's got a very big potential to be that playmaker. I have a big belief that he'll be very good for us." He urged patience, recalling that Damsgaard needed time to flourish in West London.
With Tottenham's only home league win this season coming against Burnley on the opening day, the clash with Brentford is pivotal for Frank to begin reversing a deeply concerning trend and winning over the restless home support.
