Apology After a Disappointing Match
Tottenham’s manager, Thomas Frank, has disclosed that players Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence approached him to express their regret following their actions after the team’s defeat to Chelsea.
In the aftermath of the 1-0 loss last Saturday, Frank had encouraged his squad to take a lap of appreciation around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, as fans voiced their disappointment, Van de Ven and Spence were seen bypassing their manager and heading straight for the tunnel.
Micky and Djed visited my office yesterday and wanted to apologize for how things transpired,
Frank shared in a news briefing on Monday.
Their intention was not to create a negative perception amidst the media scrutiny that exists.
He continued,
There was absolutely no disrespect intended towards me or the team. Their frustration stemmed from the disappointment over our performance and the audience’s reactions during the match.
The players’ conduct has sparked criticism from some supporters and analysts, while others believe the response may have been overblown. Frank noted that he appreciates their decision to address the issue directly, preventing any escalation.
If they hadn’t approached me, I would have needed to discuss the issue with them, to understand their feelings and motivations behind their actions,
he explained.
Acknowledging Frustrations
Frank further elaborated,
It’s great that they came in, as that shows they care, not only about the team but also about the club and, in this case, myself.
In his post-match discussion, Frank addressed the incident, labeling it a minor setback, albeit coinciding with a period of poor performance and declining fan satisfaction.
Reports from within the club indicate that the players’ actions were not aimed at undermining Frank but were rather an overflow of emotion due to the growing animosity from fans after several disappointing displays.
Tottenham have not secured a home victory in the Premier League since their season opener against Burnley, and they have only three wins across their last 19 matches at their home ground, dating back to both Frank’s and former manager Ange Postecoglou’s tenures.
Looking Ahead to Improve Performance
Currently sitting at fifth in the Premier League, Tottenham’s. The season appears solid with five victories, yet there is lingering concern from supporters as it mirrors last season’s promising start before plummeting to 17th place under Postecoglou.
The team has not managed to win consecutive league matches since their opening victories and has faced challenges in their recent matches, with just one win in their last five across competitions following the October international break.
Fans have voiced their frustrations, notably through audible disapproval towards the team. Frank acknowledged the fans’ right to express their dissatisfaction but urged for support during matches to help influence a more positive outcome.
I believe the fans were fantastic during the first 30 minutes. It’s understandable to boo after a poor performance, particularly following a loss,
he remarked.
However, during the match, their support can make a significant difference.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario mirrored Frank’s sentiments, stating,
With greater support from the stands, things might improve, although we cannot control that. Naturally, everyone felt the disappointment of losing a derby match.
As Tottenham prepares to host Copenhagen for their upcoming Champions League game, Frank seems set to move past the incident, hoping to rekindle their home advantage and restore confidence among both players and fans.