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EPL: Spurs' Struggle: Structural Issues or Just Bad Luck?

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Tottenham Hotspur Squad
Tottenham's season takes a hit as they grapple with poor form

Spurs' latest managerial shake-up raises questions about their approach. Will a new coach fix their problems or is a bigger overhaul needed?


Tottenham's home form has been brutal, with just two wins from their last 10 league matches at the...


Tottenham Hotspur's decision to sack Thomas Frank feels like a long-overdue relief, rather than a surprise. The writing was on the wall, with just two home wins in 10 league games and a fanbase that's been frustrated for months.


Frank's tenure was marked by lackluster performances and a style of play that failed to inspire. Despite initial hopes that he'd bring stability and structure, Spurs' form only worsened under his leadership, leaving them 16th in the Premier League table and just five points above relegation.


The decision to sack Frank wasn't sudden; it was the culmination of weeks of poor results and growing discontent among fans. CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange reportedly recommended Frank's dismissal, citing the need for change.


Tottenham Hotspur's recent 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United has left them in a precarious 16th place in the Premier League, with just 29 points from 26 games. Their style of play has been criticized for dra
ining the energy out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with a record of seven wins, eight draws, and 11 losses.




This translates to a worrying 1.12 points per game, projecting to just 43 points over a full season - a total that would typically have clubs nervously eyeing relegation rather than aiming for European spots. Manager Thomas Frank's job is under pressure, with fans calling for his head after the Newcastle loss.


Dire Numbers

Spurs' decline since November is stark: 11 points from 15 league games (0.73 per match) puts them in survival scrap territory. If sustained, that's just 28 points over 38 games.



Underwhelming Attack

Tottenham's scored 36 league goals (1.38 per match), placing them near the bottom half for attacking output. Their expected goals figure (1.28 per game) suggests middling chance creation, not catastrophic.




Leaky Defense

They've conceded 37 goals, leaving a negative goal difference and too many matches defined by chasing rather than controlling.


Tottenham's home form has been brutal, with just two wins from their last 10 league matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, collecting only nine points. They've conceded first in seven of those games, often struggling with sterile possession and lapses in defense.


The pattern's become all too familiar: sloppy play, a mistake, and then a scramble to catch up. Fans are beyond frustrated, with boos at half-time showing fatigue rather than anger.




Tottenham's style of play has taken a hit, with their shots per league match dropping to 10.6 from 14.2 last season. Their touches in the opposition penalty area are down 20% year on year, showing a lack of penetration.


Possession's often stagnant, with the ball drifting sideways without much threat. It's worrying, especially with established international forwards in the squad - the lack of attacking incision's stark.



Injuries Aren't the Only Issue

Injuries have complicated things for Spurs, with James Maddison's ACL rupture and Dejan Kulusevski's absences disrupting their lineup. But continuity was already a luxury Frank rarely enjoyed, and the collective downturn can't be blamed solely on availability.


Squad Depth Under Scrutiny

The funds seem available to reinforce, making it harder to pin the blame solely on injuries. 


Cristian Romero season's been a worry, with his stats taking a hit. His aerial duel success rate's dropped from 68% last season to 61% this term, and interceptions per game have slipped from 1.9 to 1.3. Spurs' defensive approach's been a factor, with them defending deeper and reacting slower.




Cristian Romero's social media messages in December and January were telling, calling for higher standards and clarity after defeats where Spurs expected more. The posts were carefully worded but hinted at frustration, showing discontent without crossing into open rebellion.






Micky Van de Ven and Djed Spence's snub to their manager after the Chelsea loss was a clear sign of discontent. Walking off the pitch without acknowledging Thomas Frank spoke volumes, especially given it was a home game.


Let's be real, the writing's been on the wall for a while. The team's internal issues seem to have been simmering for some time, and Frank's leadership's been questioned.




Tactical Missteps

Tottenham's tactical approach has shifted, with them allowing 13.8 passes per defensive action (up from 11.2 last season). This softer press and less aggressive engagement has left them caught between identities.


Identity Crisis

They're not compact enough to absorb pressure, nor assertive enough to impose themselves. The result's a team struggling to find its footing, giving fans the familiar feeling of underwilling expectations.


Tottenham's league position is worrying, especially considering their significant wage bill, among the top eight in the division, and success in Europe, having reached the Champions League last 16. Despite possessing quality and resilience, consistency domestically has been lacking, making their upcoming European tie seem daunting.


Their wage bill is around £127 million, placing them ninth among Champions League teams, showing the club's ambition. However, the contrast between European success and domestic struggles raises concerns about the team's performance and management. 


Thomas Frank's time at Spurs won't be marked by a single disaster, but by a gradual erosion of confidence from the start. Leads were fragile, home games were tense, and even normal play had an undercurrent of uncertainty that opponents could exploit.


The lack of solidity and composure was palpable, making it easy for teams to counter-attack.



Continuity Crisis

Tottenham's new board has continued the pattern of frequent managerial changes, marking their sixth permanent exit in seven seasons. Despite promises of continuity last summer, they've reverted to their usual approach of changing managers in hopes of improvement.


Legacy of the Past

Thomas Frank's appointment was the last decision made under Daniel Levy's watch, rather than a gamble by the new regime. This context is important, as it highlights the club's ongoing struggle to break free from past patterns.


The new board's move to sack Thomas Frank raises questions about their commitment to the project they publicly backed just months ago. They inherited Frank, retained him, and reinforced his staff, so it's unclear why they're abandoning the project so quickly.


Their actions seem inconsistent, and fans might view it as snakey or untrustworthy.


The timing's been off either way - if they weren't committed, they waited too long to act. Either interpretation raises concerns about Spurs' strategic direction.


The narrative's familiar: cultural reset, long-term alignment, but the reality's a squad built across multiple managers, another mid-season dismissal, and a club searching for coherence. 


True stability comes from sticking to a vision and having conviction in tough times, not just shuffling faces in the boardroom. Spurs need to define what they stand for on the pitch and stick to it.


The new head coach gets a squad with potential, but current results aren't reflecting it - 16th place with 12 games left, and relegation's looming. Spurs are opting for urgency over patience, but they need clarity, freedom, and confidence on the pitch to turn things around.



Crisis Beyond the Surface

Tottenham's situation goes far beyond Thomas Frank's dismissal, with the club's struggles rooted in deeper structural issues. Despite lifting a European trophy last season, they're now 16th in the Premier League with 29 points from 26 games, sparking fears of relegation.


Loss of Identity

Their decline isn't just tactical; it's structural, with a poor home record, weakened press, and negative goal difference indicating a team lacking clear direction. Changing the head coach might provide temporary relief, but it won't resolve the underlying issues.


The real responsibility lies with those shaping Spurs' recruitment, culture, and football strategy. They're the ones who need to get it right, rather than constantly changing managers.


Tottenham needs a solid blueprint that can weather tough times and intense pressure. Without it, new appointments will feel like just another spin of the wheel, rather than real progress.
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