Brentford manager Thomas Frank echoed those sentiments following a frustrating defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The final straw was his team’s lack of composure in recent games. The Bees are just outside European contention in 10th on the Premier League table. They’re only four points from being back inside the top four, and Frank is still convinced that a top six finish isn’t out of reach for this team. His comments come on the heels of a match that had supporters understandably incensed. Their ire was largely focused on No. 1 keeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Frank pointed to the intensity of the second half as a contributor that played into his team’s lack of focus and composure. He admitted that expectation created by Spurs’ poor form at home in the league had a paralysing effect on their reaction. He made clear that everyone needs to keep working very hard in order to dramatically improve their fortunes.
Team Performance and Emotional Struggles
In his post-match analysis, Frank was honest about what he puts his players through. Before closing he was clear that the emotional rollercoaster ride experienced in games has very much affected their play. “This group of players aren’t playing to the levels I expect them to be,” he stated, underscoring the need for mental resilience.
Frank’s quotes go beyond lip service and speak to an overall realization by his squad of their current situation. Even through their adversity, his spirits can get surprisingly high when talking about their upside. Top six was a realistic target, as he doubled down on before the game, stressing that they’re even still in contention with the top end of the league.
The manager’s ire was especially fired up at the response of some supporters to Vicario. He deemed the booing “unacceptable.” He further recommended that anyone who does this type of thing is not a real fan of the club.
“They can’t be true Tottenham fans because everyone supports each other when you are on the pitch.” – Thomas Frank
The Pressure of Expectations
Frank’s comments focused on the stresses that come with running a high-profile club like Tottenham. He acknowledged that what we’ve experienced with Brentford has been successful over the last four or five years. He seems out of place in the Spurs culture and requires time to adjust and develop his skills.
The pressure on the new team could not have been amplified more by the comments from ex-Tottenham player Michael Dawson. He congratulated Frank on his successes through the decades. He added that a big club like Spurs is always under the hot lights of very close attention, which can create enormous pressure on both players and coaching staff.
“This is a big club; it brings expectation and scrutiny,” – Michael Dawson
Dawson cast doubt on Tottenham’s hopes of securing a top-four finish this season. While he does think Frank has the capabilities, a higher end of a top six finish feels like a more realistic target in his first full season as manager.
Looking Ahead
Now, as Brentford returns its attention to regrouping, Frank was quick to stress the importance of remaining focused, even in the face of external distractions. He stressed the need for his players to focus their emotional energy in a constructive manner. He asked them to not allow fear or sadness to negatively affect their work.
Frank’s emphasis on creating a positive environment for both fans and players further highlights his vision when it comes to team building. His faith in the system’s ability to get better though is a tribute to his practicality and knowledge of the game’s devious machinations.
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