Thomas Frank: How long can Spurs head coach survive after FA Cup loss to Aston Villa?
Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day, Frank reflected on what this development had to offer: “The second half is the half where we push forward. That’s what we want to be. Energy, intensity, playing forward, being aggressive. We were dominating and creating opportunities.”
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the second goal, which would have given us an extra opportunity in stoppage time. The important thing is always to try to put two good halves together, that’s the aim.”
But in the wider context, this was yet another bad day for Frank and Spurs, a club that has always had big ambitions in the FA Cup.
Spurs sit 14th in the Premier League and are now out of this competition. Frank does not have the faith or support of many fans, which means this is the last day of disappointment for the head coach.
The reaction in the first half was quite toxic. At least Frank finally avoided a replay in the second half. This was more sweat than style, but it still wasn’t enough to make up for the obvious inferiority and inadequacies of the first half.
A brawl involving players and staff from both sides was noted for the disappointing response from the home support – Spurs were unhappy with the celebrations in front of Villa’s jubilant fans, particularly Ollie Watkins near Joao Palhinha, who later clashed with Rogers.
“I think it’s a good passion. But we shouldn’t only bring that passion out when we’re behind,” said Spurs defender Micky van de Ven.
“If we start a game like this, it will be a completely different game. We were not at the same level in the first half as we were in the second half. We need to do this for 90 minutes. Then we will be a completely different team.
“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs. We have a lot of games where we play at a good level and there are also games where we are way below our level. That’s what we need to work on and be more consistent.”
Apart from his own difficulties, Frank has not been blessed with much good fortune; Striker Richarlison suffered a hamstring injury while chasing Villa defender Ezri Konsa in the first half.
Last week, Spurs lost Muhammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur due to muscle problems.
The Danish coach told Match of the Day: “I’m under disappointment. The fans were amazing in the second half. This unity between the fans and the players, everyone was full of energy and feeding off each other.”
“We have to think about how we can come out aggressively and passionately enough and how the fans can push us forward when we are a little bit behind, as they will be in any football game.
“We are in a very difficult period. We need to regroup and try to combine two very good periods with very good intensity.”
