Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has issued a firm promise to supporters, stating his team will break their habit of losing matches 'sooner rather than later'. The admission comes amid a worrying dip in form that has seen the club's early-season promise evaporate.
The Habit That Needs Breaking
Frank drew a clear distinction between positive and negative cycles in football, directly addressing his side's current struggles. 'There are habits that can go both ways,' Frank explained. 'Good habits and bad habits. And, of course, winning is a good habit and losing is a bad habit.' He pinpointed the individual response to setbacks during games as a critical area of focus, claiming the squad is working 'very, very hard' on this mentality.
The Danish coach pointed to positive examples from September, such as comebacks against Brighton and Bodo/Glimt from 2-0 down, as evidence of the resilience he wants to see consistently. However, the overarching pattern has been one of decline, mirroring issues from the previous campaign under Ange Postecoglou.
A Familiar Pattern of Decline
The analysis of Tottenham's slump reveals a familiar story. A strong start to the season is often followed by a crash once European commitments begin. The squad has historically struggled with the added physical and mental demands, while lacking the depth to effectively manage rotation. This season has followed that script, with promising early form under the new boss giving way to a concerning slump.
The statistics are stark. Spurs have won just three and lost seven of their last 12 matches across all competitions. Their Premier League form is particularly alarming, with only five points taken from the last eight available. While European results against Copenhagen, Slavia Prague, and a recent win over Brentford offer a slightly brighter picture, the domestic trend is clear: quality has dropped and momentum has vanished.
The Path to Recovery
Frank, however, remains convinced he can solve the puzzle. He referenced his past experiences at Brondby and Brentford, where he eventually improved both teams after similar challenging periods. 'I am convinced we will see a similar pattern here,' Frank asserted. 'I don't doubt it, because I know how to make a team competitive. We will make a very competitive team here too.'
He acknowledged the inconsistency, stating his players are not yet reliable enough in their application every three or four days. Using the example of recovery runs, Frank illustrated his point: 'You want a player to make recovery runs 10 out of 10 times and he makes them 5 out of 10 times... It might be five and a half, six, six and a half, seven. That's how it works.'
The immediate opportunity for change begins with a trip across the capital to face Crystal Palace on Sunday. This match kicks off a critical run of six winnable league fixtures against Brentford, Sunderland, Bournemouth, West Ham, and Burnley that could definitively reverse the negative trend. Frank's message is one of patience and certainty: 'It's normal. It's not the first time in my career that I don't find the team instantly, but it will come with time. I know it will come. Probably sooner rather than late.'
