Tottenham supporters have been growing louder in their criticism of Thomas Frank, and it is not just because of poor results. The frustration comes from watching a team that feels intentionally limited, a team that rarely starts its best players, and a manager who seems determined to favour caution over common sense.
Every week, important performers are pushed aside for choices that do not move the team forward. Fans see it. Pundits see it. And now, it seems, Thomas Frank is finally seeing it too especially when it comes to Mathys Tel.
For weeks, Tel has been one of the brightest sparks in a Tottenham side struggling to find rhythm or belief. He has rescued points, changed games, and delivered the kind of energy that supporters cling to in a season filled with disappointment.
Yet despite all of this, Frank has repeatedly left him out of the starting lineup. Tel has been reduced to late cameos, even though he is one of the best attacking options available. It has puzzled fans to the point of exhaustion.
Just recently, he won the match against Leeds almost single-handedly. Before that, he played a key role in securing a valuable point against Manchester United.
And once again, on Tuesday night against Newcastle, he came off the bench and immediately shifted the momentum, helping Spurs fight back to earn a draw. The pattern is obvious: when Tel is on the pitch, Tottenham look more dangerous, more confident, and far more capable of breaking teams down.
This is why supporters cannot understand why the second-best striker in the healthy squad behind only Randal Kolo Muani is being kept on the sidelines. He is also one of only two real options on the left wing, alongside Wilson Odobert.
Ignoring a player who offers rare versatility, composure, and bravery in attack feels like sabotaging the team before the whistle even blows.
But maybe things are finally changing. In the press conference after the draw against Newcastle, Frank offered a comment that felt like the first sign of a shift. Speaking about Tel, he said, “The way he carries himself, the way he trains, has been very good. I’m very aware he can play off the left.
The only thing any player can do is keep training well, keep doing everything to catch my eye and make it difficult for me when I make my decision.”
For many Tottenham fans, this felt like a rare moment of clarity from their manager. Tel has done everything asked of him and more. He stepped up last season, showing maturity beyond his age.
He celebrated with fans, fought for every moment, and acted like someone who understood exactly what it meant to wear the shirt.
This season, despite being overlooked again and again, he has carried himself with the same hunger. Every cameo has been a statement: he wants to help this team win, and he is ready to do it now.
Frank has ignored the obvious for far too long, but he is running out of excuses. Even he must realise that leaving Tel out is no longer a defensible decision.
Tottenham cannot afford to sideline players who make them better, especially in a season where confidence is fragile and consistency is almost nonexistent.
Supporters knew months ago that Tel was one of the best options up front. They knew he brought energy that others lacked, and they knew he had the potential to be a long-term star for the club.
Now, it seems Thomas Frank has finally arrived at the same conclusion. Tel has earned his chance, and Tottenham will only improve when he is trusted from the start.
Whether Frank fully commits to that realisation will determine how the next stretch of the season unfolds. For Spurs fans, the hope is simple: stop holding the team back and let the players who want to fight actually play. Tel deserves that opportunity, and Tottenham desperately need what he brings.
