Tottenham Hotspur’s bright start under Thomas Frank is quickly beginning to fade, leaving fans wondering if the team is already heading down the same path that derailed Ange Postecoglou’s early promise.
Back then, Spurs looked lively, fearless, and full of attacking intent before opponents began to expose their flaws. Now, under Frank, the same warning signs are reappearing inconsistency, poor performances, and key players failing to deliver.
Frank’s early months in charge brought optimism and stability after years of chaos. His appointment seemed like the start of a fresh chapter, especially with Daniel Levy stepping away from daily club operations.
But reality is beginning to bite. Tottenham have now won just two of their last eight matches in all competitions, a run that has raised questions about the team’s direction. What started as an exciting new era has turned into a frustrating spell marked by disjointed play and missed opportunities.
Their recent 1-0 defeat to Chelsea summed up everything wrong with the current Spurs setup. The team looked lifeless, uninspired, and completely out of ideas.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher didn’t hold back, labeling the performance as “absolutely awful.” The result followed a painful Carabao Cup exit to Newcastle, meaning Tottenham’s hopes of ending their long trophy drought have taken yet another hit.
To make matters worse, videos after the Chelsea loss showed Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence walking straight past Frank without acknowledging him, a moment that only fueled talk of disunity in the dressing room.
At the heart of Spurs’ troubles is Xavi Simons, the Dutch attacking midfielder brought in over the summer to inject creativity into the side.
With James Maddison sidelined by injury, Simons was expected to be the playmaker who could carry Tottenham’s attacking burden. Instead, he has struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s physicality and pace.
Simons, a standout performer in the Bundesliga, has failed to replicate that success in England. Across 12 appearances for Spurs, he has yet to score and has managed just one assist.
His technical ability is evident, but he often appears rushed on the ball, unable to find space or dictate play as he once did in Germany. The Chelsea game showcased his struggles at their worst. He was introduced early as a substitute after Lucas Bergvall’s injury but failed to make any meaningful contribution.
Simons completed no key passes, failed to deliver an accurate cross, and lost possession 15 times. After a disappointing hour on the pitch, Frank substituted him with 17 minutes left, his confidence visibly shattered.
At 22, Simons still has time to learn and adjust, but his adaptation needs to happen fast. The Premier League is unforgiving, and patience from fans is already wearing thin.
Yet Simons isn’t the only player letting Frank down. Another senior figure, Pedro Porro, has also become a concern.
Porro, wearing the captain’s armband, was expected to lead by example and bring authority to a young squad. Instead, his form has dipped dramatically this season.
Always known for his attacking flair rather than defensive reliability, the Spanish right-back now seems to be struggling in every area of his game. In the loss to Chelsea, his numbers were alarming. He completed just 18 of his 30 passes a meager 60% accuracy and gave the ball away an astonishing 23 times.
He failed to complete a single tackle or make an interception. With zero key passes and zero successful crosses from six attempts, Porro’s influence was almost non-existent.
Football.london gave him a 4/10 rating, describing his performance as “loose and ineffective,” while a popular Spurs content creator called it Porro’s “worst performance in a long time.”
These aren’t isolated incidents either; Porro’s consistency has been slipping for weeks. Once considered a dynamic full-back capable of contributing both defensively and offensively, he now looks uncertain, lacking confidence and composure in possession.
Frank’s tactics haven’t helped either. His cautious approach often leaves players like Porro without clear attacking support, forcing them into risky passes that lead to turnovers.
When Tottenham’s build-up play stalls, full-backs like Porro become easy targets for criticism. However, the Spaniard’s lack of defensive awareness and poor positioning have also been costly.
With Copenhagen up next in midweek, Frank faces a crucial decision. Continuing to rely on underperforming players like Porro could risk further setbacks.
A reshuffle might be necessary moving Djed Spence into the right-back role and restoring Destiny Udogie on the left could provide balance and energy on the flanks. It would also send a message that accountability matters, regardless of seniority.
Tottenham’s season is not beyond saving, but Frank must act quickly. Confidence is fragile, and momentum has slipped away. The manager’s calm demeanor has been one of his strengths, but there are growing murmurs among fans who fear the team is stuck in a downward spiral.
The attacking creativity that once defined Spurs is nowhere to be found, replaced by slow, predictable football that lacks identity.
Both Xavi Simons and Pedro Porro were signed to elevate Tottenham’s quality, yet both now symbolize their struggles. Simons has the potential to turn things around if given time to adapt, but Porro, as captain, must set a higher standard.
Frank’s next move could define his reign will he stick with underperforming players out of loyalty, or make bold changes to reignite Spurs’ spark?
Whatever happens, one thing is clear: Tottenham cannot afford to drift any longer. A club built on flair and attacking ambition is now playing without confidence or direction.
Unless Frank can rediscover that balance and inspire his players to fight for the shirt, this promising new era could collapse before it ever truly begins.
