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Thomas Frank slams ‘unacceptable’ Tottenham fans for turning on Vicario after howler

Thomas Frank furiously slams ‘unacceptable’ Tottenham fans for turning on Vicario after his howler in defeat to Fulham.

Fulham stunned with a much needed win, making it their first victory at Spurs in 12 years, racing into a 2-0 lead inside six minutes.

Kenny Tete’s deflected shot became his first goal in nearly two years), the a huge error from keeper Guglielmo Vicario, seen rushed out and gifted the ball to Harry Wilson, who lobbed into an empty net from 35 yards. Samuel Chukwueze also struck the post for Fulham.

Spurs were booed off at half time, then Mohammed Kudus pulled one back with a volley after the break, but Tottenham couldn’t find that all important equaliser, leading to being booed again.

The result means that Spurs sit 10th, just one point above 15th-placed Fulham, who claim their first away win of the season.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, speaking to Sky Sports: “When you’re down 2-0 after six minutes, there is a mountain to climb. When you’re in a bad spell, everything seems to go against you as well – the first was a deflected shot, the second is a mistake from Vic [Guglielmo Vicario]. I didn’t like that our fans booed at him straight after and a few times after that. They can’t be true Tottenham fans because everyone supports each other when you’re on the pitch and we do everything we can to perform. I’m fine with them booing after the match, no problem, but not during. That is unacceptable in my opinion.

“After that, we rushed the first half in many ways. We wanted to come back into the game but couldn’t do it in the first half, but we got much better in the second half. We got a bit of momentum, created more chances and opportunities, but couldn’t get the second goal.

“It was an emotional performance in the second half, and I think that’s quite normal. We know that we badly want to win at home, so when it’s not going your way, it is hard. That’s why you need to stick to the plan, be cool and not stress. It is easier said than done.”

Frank on the supporters being frustrated to the point they booed their own goalkeeper: “It is OK that they are frustrated, because we haven’t won at home for a long time. We all badly want to win so I’m fine with them booing after the game, but during the game I hope it was one incident and it never happens again.”

On Pedro Porro showing some frustration towards the supporters when he left the pitch: “I didn’t see the incident so I don’t know exactly. We are in a tough spell right now and for my players it is about being as calm as possible and doing everything we can to work through it.”

On their recent run of form: “This result leaves us in a place where we have lost another game. Every game has a single story, this game we lost in the first six minutes. We just need to keep working. The second half was much better and hopefully something we can use to learn.”

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s tough because to go 2-0 down after six minutes, you never expect this. Especially the second goal was a mistake of mine. I take the responsibility for that.

“The intent was to clear the ball long but I hit the ball in a bad way. It was a bigger mountain to climb after seven minutes. We tried to push, put in some duels and put some pressure on them but we didn’t create so many chances to hurt them and get back in the game.

“It’s a very disappointing defeat which we didn’t expect to. I take the responsibility for the defeat.

“But we got another game in two days and we will try to do our best to make sure we have a positive result against Newcastle.”

Vicario, speaking to Sky Sports, on Spurs fans booing him: “It’s part of football. So I am a big man. I am quite older. What can I say!

“We cannot be influenced by situations in the stand. Fans have the right to do what they think. It’s on us to try to stay more calm and focus on ourselves and what we want to do. We know what our strengths are and we are lacking a bit in composure. Its a bad defeat tonight and tough to accept.

“We would like to go up in the results and to lead in the game so we don’t have to chase it. But today was this scenario. We had 90 minutes to turn around the result. But we missed a little bit of calmness and composure in trying to score the goals.

“It is what it is. We apologise for the defat. It’s painful.”

On how the defeat was different from one at Arsenal last week: “In terms of basis of football, we competed .We put in some duals and physicality. We were ready to fight. It was a completely different defeat to the one we suffered last week.”

Silva speaking to Sky Sports: “I’m very proud of the boys. We have been really speaking about the games on the road and all that stuff, so it was very important for us to win. We knew that it was going to happen one day and we prepared ourselves again for that tonight.

“What a great first half from us, definitely. We got two early goals so we were clinical, but we probably should’ve scored more in the first half. The way we controlled our game during the first 35 minutes was pleasing, we didn’t leave anything for them and our fast attacks were very good. We created a lot of problems for them. It was definitely important to score early, like always, but it was the way that we kept our discipline.

“In the second half, we suffered in my opinion, probably more than we should’ve. We didn’t start it well and from the kick-off they created a chance that we should’ve dealt with much better. That then started to boost their confidence and slowly they were pushing us back. Our decisions when we won the ball weren’t at the best level either. We have to give credit to them for that as well.

“It was a well-deserved three points, a great win for us and we are very pleased.”

Silva speaking to Sky Sports about Samuel Chukwueze’s performance: “He was definitely knocking on the door before the game. He is a very good player, we all know that. Unfortunately with some injuries, three international breaks away from us and all that stuff, it probably didn’t give us time to get to know each other better. We have worked together for short spells but he has always shown a very good level. It’s just a matter of him being in his best physical condition to start games. He started because he deserved it and it was another great performance from him. Let’s hope he can continue in this way and to be more resilient over 90 minutes. He is going to be a very important player for us, like he is right now.”

On Harry Wilson’s goal: “It’s a very difficult finish. It doesn’t surprise us because we know what quality he has. Sometimes he scores the most difficult goals and sometimes he misses the others. He always has good numbers in terms of goals and assists. What a goal from him, with the composure.”

On how they intend on maintaining their form: “The next step is about Manchester City. Everything is about Tuesday now. We are going to play at home, where we have been very strong. We want to make that place our fortress. I told the players to celebrate for now but to also think about Tuesday. We are looking forward to that game to be more consistent and express ourselves on the pitch.”

Fulham midfielder Harry Wilson speaking to Sky Sports: “We needed that. win. We spoke before the game about getting the first away win on the board. We have been hard done by in a couple of games due to some decisions.

“The two goals settled us down. We let them back into the game a little bit but over the course of the game, we dug deep and deserved the three points.

“The Everton game was the one where we came away really disappointed. We really wanted to put that right today. It’s back-to-back wins now – it’s been really, really good for us.

On his goal: “I was a little bit surprised. I felt like the goalkeeper was out of the box for ages. I was surprised none of the back four went back to the line. When non of them defended the goal, my eyes lit up a bit.

“[Destiny] Udogie slipped too, which gave me a bit of extra time. Then it was all about trying to make the right contact and get it on target. I had a good feeling, as soon as it left my feet, that it was on the right line.

On his season so far: “I have played a lot of minutes this season, but it helps me. I am kind of player who gets into the rhythm with more games you play. I was grabbing goals coming off the bench last season but I am someone who doesn’t like sitting on the bench too much.

“I am in the rhythm now. I feel sharp. I feel strong. I want to keep helping the team to climb up the table because that’s where we want to be.”

Heres how Twitter users reacted as Thomas Frank slams ‘unacceptable’ Tottenham fans for turning on Vicario after his howler…

@freddy2005: It’s horrendous but, to me if you are booing/ironically cheering Vicario you are part of the problem at home! It will only make him worse/more nervous. He’s stopped us getting some proper spankings over the last few games!

@leeford80: This is all from levy, he brought in players on low wages that clearly don’t have the experience or physicality or technical ability for the premier league, but also doesn’t help that we have had so many injuries, we miss @Madders10 more than anything..

@DavidWilliamsDK:
I think this is hard 4 Thomas Frank right now:
– Not being a former top player. He has not been where the players are now. They can’t mirror themselves in him.
– He has not experienced a crisis in PL before.
– He does not know his best 11.
– He does not know his best formation.

@rayverma: I wonder how Thomas Frank got the @SpursOfficial job in the first place. It feels he’s blagged his way through. Now the Board have another decision to make. He’s not identified an identity that is associated or synonymous with the Club. The man is living his best life. #TOTFUL 🇩🇰

@SarahSpurs12: Pedro Porro needs to concentrate on defending and making his crosses beat the first man rather than getting the hump with the fans. Blokes turned in horrific performance after horrific performance for weeks now!

@olliefrankin: Fans pay a lot of money to watch their team play, the players are paid ALOT of money, we as fans should be aloud to sound our frustration! Don’t want to be booed, perform better

@TheScottKeene: The problem at Spurs isn’t Thomas Frank. It’s the piss poor players they’ve got #TOTFUL

@harwood_steve: We are true Spurs fans but we are just sick of inept performances from inferior players when we spend top money to watch consistent crap at a lacklustre stadium that has no sole and was built to turn @SpursOfficial into a business not improve the football team #FrankOut

@GEORGIE_35: Stupid players doing stupid things will bring that reaction from fans who witnesses the side get beat most weeks and players making stupid mistakes week after week.

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