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Boos ring out, players clash and snub Thomas Frank, Neto rage-baits Tottenham fans

Boos ring out, players clash and snub Thomas Frank, Neto also rage-baits Tottenham fans as Chelsea came away with a 1-0 win.

After 10 Premier League games under Thomas Frank, Spurs sit in the top four and remain unbeaten in the Champions League, quite the improvement from last season’s 17th-place finish.

But there are concerns mounting for their recent form, with their latest defeat extending their poor home record in the Premier League: only 1 win in 5 under Frank, and 1 win of last 5 games across all competitions.

Looking at it more broadly, it’s 3 wins in the past 19 home Premier League games (since Nov 2024); only Southampton have fewer home wins in England’s top four tiers.

Post-match lap of appreciation led to boos, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence snubbed Frank and headed straight to the tunnel.

Frank however has since downplayed it as frustration, noting both players have performed well, while Alan Shearer agreed it’s overblown, saying the players were embarrassed and wanted to escape quickly.

There was boos at full-time; fans left frustrated, and while Frank understands it, he also urged for patience for development with tight schedules.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank said of the incident: “All the players are of course frustrated. They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to perform well, so I understand that.

“I think it is difficult to be consistent in good times and in bad times. That is why I went around to the fans as I did. It is more fun when we win, I can tell you that.”

On the reactions of Van de Ven and Spence and if their response was acceptable: “I think that is one of the small issues. We have Micky and Djed who are doing everything they can.

“They perform very well so far this season and everyone is frustrated. We do things in a different way, so I don’t think it is a big problem.”

Frank on the atmosphere: “They [the fans] did everything they could to back us in a game that we didn’t perform well in. Chelsea were better than us on the day.

“There’s no doubt, and I keep saying it, that we have a front four that is new. We have to build together with short turnarounds in games. We’ll do that. I’m not in doubt that will happen.

“I think every team I’ve coached has scored a lot of goals. It will happen again in the future here.”

On the xG rating of 0.05: “I don’t think I have been in a game where we have created that little.

“There will always be positives but at the moment I’m struggling to see it.”

Cheslea boss Enzo Maresca speaking to Sky Sports:

“Yeah. Was a good performance for sure. Spurs look very very good. You need this kind of performance to win.

“I think you have to be brave on the ball and off the ball. Off the ball we were good but on the ball we create many chances. We are very happy, for us, for the fans – it’s a big derby, and we move on.

On the performance of Caicedo:

“He’s top. He’s up there with Rodri as one of the best defensive midfielders, probably in the world.

“In England, 1-0 is not a finished game. We could have scored one or two more and it would have been a lot more relaxed for us. But a win against Tottenham, clean sheet, and we’re happy.”

Rob Green said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “There will be more questions of Thomas Frank after the game.

“I don’t think he’ll have learned anything after that because it was such an abject performance on the ball. They never gave themselves a chance. They never got better. No sustained pressure at home is just not good enough.”

Alan Shearer said while on Match of the Day that the players’ reaction has been blown out of proportion.

“I totally understand why the players want to get in as soon as possible,” he added.

“They have been an embarrassment, they were booed off the pitch. They want to get in the dressing room and say sorry later on.

“As much as Thomas likes to go around and thank the fans, I get the players point of view that they have been absolutely awful and they want to get off the pitch as quickly as possible.”

Jamie Redknapp said on Sky Sports that this was “one of the worst performances I’ve seen from Tottenham”.

“That was as easy as it gets. If that was a boxing match I’d have stopped it. They never laid a glove on Chelsea. They made it so easy.”

Twitter users reacted after boos ring out, Neto rage-baits Tottenham fans, players clash and snub Thomas Frank…

@HeraldHotspur: A manager out of his depth, players don’t believe in what they’re doing. Clear as day, no one has a clue what the manager wants. This is worse than Nunoball. Only difference is we’re better at set pieces

@jmobarrera: Both Mickey and Spence were responsible for that error that lead to the goal? They should have the balls to clap for the fans

@TottTimes: Holy shit. Remember that Ange never lost the dressing room… It’s not too late to bring him back…

@indyboy73: That long lingering stare from Frank…..

@gnrfan2009: That’s the beginning of the end unless he needed a piss

@switchtheplayy: Disgusting as both were useless and had a part in why we conceded a goal (with simons). I don’t want to see VDV wear the armband again if he acts like that and Spence is also very childish doing that 2 games in a row, will be glad when Udogie is fit and back in the starting XI.

@Lankapatiraavan: Wow. Even as a Chelsea fan its hard to watch this. If I was Thomas Frank, these two will warm the bench next few games

@1882_Tottenham: Petulant. Both at fault for the gaol and Spence bullied by their wingers throughout. Whatever their issues they weren’t moaning V Everton

@Mumorn: I mean it looks bad, i imagine Frank no matter the result wanted the lads to clap the crowd or apologise. By ignoring the request is not only disrespectful to the manager but to the club. VDV is given the responsibility by frank to be captain and that’s not good leadership.

@mtstormus: Interesting if he has lost the players already. But these are professional footballers, they should be able to win the odd 50/50 and pass to a teammate now and then. Whatever the tactics, the players absolutely stank as individuals let alone a team

@Chunkystan: Absolutely disgusting behaviour, not for blanking the manager but for blanking the fans who pay their wages and who are entitled to boo that inept performance, they should be fined and dropped for that

@MasalaChai1: Was it his tactics? Can’t understand the frustration from those 2 players – they gave the ball away so many times today. What was Porro doing all game, when we had an offensive? Harder games coming up, sadly Chris.

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