Thomas Frank is facing a level of scrutiny he has never experienced since taking charge of Tottenham Hotspur, and much of it stems from decisions that have left supporters baffled. Spurs have endured several disappointing moments this season, but nothing has compared to the humiliation of their recent 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in the North London Derby.
It came at a time when the manager was already under pressure, especially after the lifeless 1-0 loss to Chelsea, a performance that should have served as an early warning. Instead, Tottenham collapsed again, and the fallout has only intensified because many believe the damage was avoidable.
One decision in particular has taken center stage: Thomas Frank’s choice to leave Xavi Simons out of the starting lineup for the biggest fixture of the season. Simons arrived in the summer to great excitement and was seen as a key piece in Tottenham’s rebuild.
With serious interest from Chelsea and other elite clubs, Spurs invested heavily to secure his signature, making him their most expensive signing of the window. That investment alone suggested he would be central to the team’s identity and tactical plan.
Yet, in the most important moment, Frank decided to bench him and instead turned to Wilson Odobert, a young talent with potential but nowhere near the level required for a game of this magnitude.
Odobert may be a promising player with encouraging flashes in recent weeks, but there was always a huge difference between performing well in low-pressure matches and stepping into the intensity of a derby against one of the best midfields in world football.
The reality showed itself quickly. He struggled for confidence, looked overwhelmed by the pace, and could not influence the game in any meaningful way.
The few positive outings he managed earlier in the season had been exaggerated by some fans eager to defend him after a poor start to his Spurs career. But the derby is a different level, and it exposed just how unprepared he still is.
When Simons eventually entered the match in the second half, he was not at his best either, but he still contributed more than Odobert and gave the team a small spark. Even on an off day, Simons’ presence and technical quality were clear.
That is why the decision to bench him felt so baffling. A player of his calibre should never be sitting out the club’s biggest game, especially when the team is already struggling for creativity and identity in the final third.
Tottenham have spent the season asking why their attack lacks rhythm and why the midfield looks disconnected, yet they keep sidelining a player who was signed to fix exactly those issues.
The situation raises deeper questions about Frank’s handling of his squad. Simons is not being placed in positions where he can thrive, and the repeated choices to either bench him or push him into unfamiliar roles are beginning to look like mismanagement.
Many supporters cannot understand why a manager would marginalize such a significant signing, particularly when the team is desperate for leadership and ideas.
There was no tactical justification strong enough to justify leaving him out of the lineup for a derby at the Emirates. The suggestion that Odobert’s recent form made him the better option collapsed instantly once the match kicked off.
What hurts most for fans is that this feels like more than a tactical mistake it feels like a message. A sign that Frank is not fully convinced by Simons or does not know how to integrate him properly.
And if that is the case, it reflects poorly on a manager who is still trying to prove he belongs at the highest level. Spurs fans are growing impatient, and moments like this fuel doubts about whether Frank has the experience, awareness, and authority to manage a club fighting to return to the top.
If Frank continues to sideline his most gifted players, he risks losing both the dressing room and the supporters. The Arsenal defeat may not be the final straw, but it has brought every flaw into sharp focus. Unless he learns from it quickly, this could become the moment people look back on as the beginning of his undoing.
