Tottenham supporters expected this season to feel very different. After the joy of lifting the Europa League trophy back in May, there was real belief that the club were finally turning a corner.
Thomas Frank arrived in the summer to replace Ange Postecoglou, bringing with him a reputation for smart coaching, clear ideas, and the ability to get the best out of his players.
The early signs were promising. Spurs started the campaign brightly, played with confidence, and hovered near the top end of the table. Fast forward a few months, and the mood around north London feels far more uncertain.
By Tottenham’s own standards, 2025 has been underwhelming. Results have dipped, performances have lacked spark, and the connection between the team and the supporters has weakened. Frank has spoken calmly throughout, but the pressure is building.
As Christmas arrives and Spurs prepare for their next league outing against Crystal Palace, the manager will be quietly hoping that the festive period brings him some much-needed help for the months ahead.
The most obvious thing Frank needs right now is momentum. Tottenham have won just two of their last nine matches in all competitions, and it is not only the results that worry fans, but the manner of the defeats.
Losses to Arsenal, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and Liverpool have exposed familiar problems. Spurs have looked short of ideas in attack, fragile at the back, and unable to control games when the pressure rises. A strong run of results would change the mood instantly.
Looking at the upcoming fixtures, there is a chance to reset. Games against Crystal Palace, Brentford, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Aston Villa in the FA Cup, and West Ham offer an opportunity to steady the ship. Even avoiding defeat in those matches would go a long way towards calming the noise and restoring belief.
Discipline is another area that has cost Tottenham dearly. Cristian Romero is a natural leader and one of the most talented defenders at the club, but his temperament continues to hurt the team. His recent red card against Liverpool summed up the issue.
One booking for dissent and another for a moment of needless aggression left Spurs in an impossible situation. It was not an isolated incident, and it is becoming a pattern that frustrates both the manager and the supporters.
Frank does not want to take the edge out of Romero’s game, because that aggression is part of what makes him effective. What he does need is better decision-making in key moments, so that passion does not turn into self-destruction.
Behind the scenes, backing from the Tottenham board is vital. Frank was supported in the summer transfer window, with several new players brought in to reshape the squad. So far, many of those signings have struggled to adapt.
That does not mean they are poor players, but it does highlight the need for patience and stability. Managers cannot build anything meaningful if they are constantly looking over their shoulder.
Clear support from the board would allow Frank to focus on coaching, developing his players, and implementing his ideas without fear that one bad result could end his time at the club.
One player who perfectly represents Tottenham’s struggles this season is Xavi Simons. His arrival in the summer was a major statement. Spurs beat stiff competition to land him, and expectations were sky-high.
However, his impact has been limited. Two goals and three assists in 22 appearances is not what anyone imagined. At times, he has looked short of confidence and unsure of his role. Just before his red card against Liverpool, there were signs of improvement, with two goals and an assist in his previous three games.
If Simons can rediscover that form after his suspension, it would be a huge boost. Tottenham need creativity, flair, and someone who can unlock tight defences, and Simons has the talent to be that player.
Perhaps the biggest issue of all is the lack of a reliable striker. Spurs knew this in the summer and tried to address it late in the window with the loan signing of Randal Kolo Muani.
While he has shown flashes in Europe, his Premier League impact has been minimal. Richarlison has chipped in with goals, but injuries and inconsistency continue to hold him back. Dominic Solanke, meanwhile, has barely featured due to his own fitness problems. For Frank, this is a major headache.
No matter how well a team plays, it needs someone who can finish chances regularly. Heading into January, a new number nine feels like the single most important piece of business Tottenham could do.
Christmas is often a time for reflection, and for Thomas Frank, it is also a moment to hope. Hope for better results, calmer moments on the pitch, stronger backing from above, revived form from key players, and a striker who can lead the line with authority.
If even a few of those wishes come true, Tottenham’s season could still take a very different and far more positive turn.
