Tottenham Hotspur knew last season could not be allowed to repeat itself. Finishing 17th in the Premier League sent shockwaves through the club and made it clear that serious change was needed.
The decision to part ways with Ange Postecoglou was not taken lightly, but the hierarchy believed a reset was essential. That responsibility was handed to Thomas Frank, a manager trusted for his calm approach and clear structure, after his impressive work at Brentford.
Frank was backed strongly in the transfer market, with more than £100 million made available in the summer. The idea was simple: refresh the squad, fix obvious weaknesses, and bring stability back to North London. Yet as the season has unfolded, familiar problems have returned.
Spurs now sit 11th in the table, and four defeats in their last seven league games have raised uncomfortable questions about both personnel and decision-making.
One area that continues to undermine Tottenham is the goalkeeping position. Guglielmo Vicario has remained Frank’s first choice despite a growing list of costly mistakes.
Confidence is a fragile thing for a goalkeeper, and right now Vicario looks like a player weighed down by doubt. His errors are no longer isolated moments but a worrying pattern that has directly influenced results.
Against Fulham, a poor clearance gifted Harry Wilson an open goal, turning a tight game into another damaging defeat. That moment alone summed up Spurs’ recent struggles: a lack of composure at crucial times and an inability to manage pressure.
The problems did not stop there. In the heavy loss to Nottingham Forest, Vicario’s short pass put Archie Gray under immediate danger, allowing Ibrahim Sangaré to intercept and score.
Later in the same match, he completely misread a cross from Callum Hudson-Odoi, turning a manageable situation into another goal conceded.
These are not fine margins or unlucky deflections. They are basic errors at Premier League level. This season, Vicario has recorded more mistakes leading directly to goals than any other goalkeeper in the division.
That statistic alone explains why Spurs are repeatedly chasing games instead of controlling them. When a team cannot trust the man between the posts, the entire defensive structure suffers.
While Vicario’s issues are glaring, he is not the only player drawing criticism. Further up the pitch, Tottenham are also struggling to get value from key individuals. Richarlison, often deployed as the central striker, has failed to impose himself in big moments.
His display against Forest was especially concerning. Playing the full 90 minutes, he managed just 16 touches of the ball, the fewest of any player on the pitch. For a centre-forward, that is simply not good enough.
He failed to register a single shot on target and lost the majority of his aerial duels, making it easy for Forest’s defenders to deal with him. Spurs lacked a focal point in attack, and Richarlison’s quiet performance only added to the team’s lack of threat.
Alongside him, Rodrigo Bentancur has also become a growing concern. The Uruguayan has featured in almost every league game this season, showing just how much trust Frank places in him.
However, that trust is starting to look misplaced. Bentancur has struggled to influence games, often drifting through matches without asserting himself either defensively or creatively.
His performance against Nottingham Forest highlighted these issues clearly. He started the match but was withdrawn after 59 minutes, having failed to leave a positive mark.
The numbers from that game paint a worrying picture of a midfielder who is no longer controlling the tempo or offering protection.
Below is a simple breakdown of Bentancur’s performance in that match:
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 59 |
| Touches | 46 |
| Passes completed | 29 |
| Times possession lost | 5 |
| Tackles made | 0 |
| Times dribbled past | 1 |
| Aerial duels lost | 80% |
| Touches in opposition box | 0 |
These figures underline why frustration is growing. Bentancur failed to win a single tackle, lost most of his aerial battles, and offered nothing in advanced areas. For a central midfielder expected to balance the side, this level of output is far below what Spurs need.
Journalist Mitch Fretton recently described both Vicario and Bentancur as “clear weaknesses” in the current squad, and it is difficult to argue with that assessment.
In key moments, both players have let the team down, and those mistakes have come at a heavy cost. Frank may value loyalty and patience, but football at this level demands tough decisions.
Tottenham brought Frank in to build on their Europa League success and guide the club toward long-term stability. To achieve that, he cannot afford to carry players who repeatedly fall short of the required standard. Vicario’s struggles are now affecting results directly, while Bentancur’s decline has removed control from midfield.
If Spurs are serious about pushing back into the top half and competing for European places, changes are unavoidable. Selling players is never easy, especially those once trusted, but progress often requires ruthless choices.
For Frank, addressing these weaknesses could define his reign. Keeping faith with players who continue to cost points may prove far more damaging than making bold calls in the months ahead.
