Thomas Frank is slowly confirming the fears many Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been trying to ignore, and the situation surrounding Pape Matar Sarr has become the clearest example of that growing frustration.
Just when it looked like Spurs might be finding their feet again, the familiar problems returned in brutal fashion. Wins over Brentford and Slavia Praha briefly lifted the mood, but those victories came against opponents who offered very little resistance.
When faced with another struggling Premier League side in Nottingham Forest, Tottenham collapsed once again, suffering a damaging 3–0 defeat that exposed the same old flaws.
That loss was not just another bad result. It felt like a step backwards in a season already littered with them. Forest, widely seen as one of the league’s weakest teams, looked sharper, hungrier, and far more organised.
Tottenham, by contrast, looked flat and predictable. For many fans, this raised serious questions not only about the players on the pitch, but about the decisions being made from the touchline.
Frank’s team selection is becoming a major talking point, and not for the right reasons. There is a growing belief among supporters that the manager is relying too heavily on experienced names who are failing to deliver, while younger, more energetic players are being overlooked.
Week after week, familiar faces continue to start matches despite underwhelming performances. Costly mistakes, a lack of intensity, and poor decision-making have crept into Spurs’ game, yet competition for places appears limited.
In the middle of all this sits Pape Matar Sarr, a player who once looked central to Tottenham’s progress this season. Over the past month, the Senegalese midfielder has started just one match, spending most games watching from the bench or making brief substitute appearances.
This is particularly difficult for fans to understand, given how influential Sarr was earlier in the campaign. During that spell, Tottenham were winning games, controlling midfield battles, and playing with purpose.
Sarr’s energy, intelligence, and willingness to drive the team forward stood out, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most exciting young midfielders in Europe.
His performances were not limited to club football either. While away on international duty, Sarr continued to impress for Senegal, contributing with goals, assists, and tireless work in midfield.
It seemed logical that such form and commitment would be rewarded at club level. Instead, his role has been reduced, and there is little sign that his situation is about to change.
What makes this even harder to accept for supporters is the lack of a clear explanation. Tottenham are not overflowing with dynamic midfield options.
Instead, Frank has often turned to slower, more conservative players, favouring experience over energy. While there is a place for balance in any squad, the continued omission of Sarr feels less like rotation and more like a statement of intent.
To many fans, this suggests that Frank is not interested in playing fast, aggressive football built around movement and intensity. Sarr represents exactly that style.
He wins the ball, carries it forward, presses relentlessly, and brings urgency to Tottenham’s play. Leaving him out in favour of a more cautious approach has only made Spurs look predictable and blunt, especially against teams who are happy to sit deep and wait for mistakes.
The frustration among supporters is not just about one player. Sarr’s situation has become symbolic of a wider issue. There is a sense that long-term development is being sacrificed in favour of short-term safety, even though that safety is not producing results.
Tottenham do not look defensively solid, nor do they look dangerous going forward. The structure Frank appears to value so highly has yet to deliver consistency or confidence.
Fans are not asking for miracles. They are asking for logic, bravery, and a willingness to trust players who have already shown they can make a difference. Sarr did not lose his ability overnight.
He did not suddenly become a liability. Yet his reduced role suggests that performances alone are not enough to earn trust under the current manager.
As the season moves on, pressure will continue to build. Results like the one at Nottingham Forest only accelerate that process. If Frank wants to bring the supporters back on side, he may need to rethink his approach and show that hard work, form, and potential are truly valued.
For now, the treatment of Pape Matar Sarr feels like confirmation of the fears many Spurs fans hold, and it risks becoming a defining issue in a season already slipping away.
