The Sun journalist apologises for what he said about Tottenham manager Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank suffered his first defeat as Tottenham manager when his side were beaten 1-0 at home by Bournemouth last weekend.
The Lilywhites have enjoyed a bright start to the Premier League campaign under their new boss, but they were dealt a harsh reminder of the progress that still needs to be made following their first loss of the season.
Frank will have been frustrated with Spurs’ performance on home turf, as an early goal from Evanilson proved to be the difference between the two teams.
The former Brentford boss has received plenty of praise in recent weeks for the way that his team have started the season, but there has been a very different feeling after this weekend.
Journalist makes Tottenham-centred apology
Frank and Spurs were heavily praised following their impressive victory over Manchester City in the second week of the season, but there were frustrating signs during their recent reverse against the Cherries.
Andoni Iraola’s side completely dominated their hosts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, creating three big chances and firing 20 shots at the Tottenham goal.
- Spurs created an xG of just 0.19 to Bournemouth’s 1.59
- Frank’s men failed to create a single big chance across the whole 90 minutes
- They were outshot 20-5 by their visitors
The Lilywhites were arguably lucky to come away having only lost the game 1-0, such were their struggles against the South Coast outfit.
Their performance in their most recent outing has prompted an apology from The Sun journalist Dave Kidd, but not one with a positive sentiment for the North Londoners.
“Apologies for any suggestion in last week’s column that Spurs, under Frank, might actually be any good,” he wrote in Tuesday’s print edition of The Sun (pg. 45).
“After they were thoroughly outplayed by Bournemouth at home, we can confirm beyond all doubt that they are, and will always be, the same Tottenham they have always been.”
International break is well-timed for Thomas Frank
Frank’s start at Tottenham has still been extremely positive so far, but the international break has arguably come at a perfect moment for the new chief.
The Dane has suffered the first setback of his reign, and this two-week interval will allow him and the players the chance to step away from the rigours of the Premier League and take stock of where they are as a unit.
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away |
| 13 September | West Ham | A |
| 20 September | Brighton | A |
| 28 September | Wolves | H |
| 4 October | Leeds | A |
| 19 October | Aston Villa | H |
The Lilywhites showed in their victory over City that they have much more energy and aggression about them this season, but are also capable of staying tight at the back, unlike Ange Postecoglou’s painfully one-dimensional side last term.
If Spurs can recreate that performance on a fairly regular basis, then they will undoubtedly be on course for a season of significant progress on the pitch.
That is obviously easier said than done, but with two new additions now ready to be integrated into the group, Frank’s men should certainly not be written off just yet.
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