Thomas Frank is struggling to pinpoint the reasons behind Tottenham Hotspur's underwhelming home form, following their recent 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This loss marks another setback in a series of disappointing home results for Spurs, who have only managed three wins in their last 18 Premier League home matches.
Spurs started strongly against Aston Villa, with Rodrigo Bentancur scoring early in the game. However, they failed to capitalize on their lead, and Villa's Morgan Rogers leveled the score in the 37th minute. In the second half, Emiliano Buendia's goal in the 77th minute sealed the victory for Aston Villa, adding to Tottenham's home woes.
Frank admitted that the game against Aston Villa could have gone either way and a draw would have been a fair result. He acknowledged the quality of Villa's goals but also felt his team had opportunities to win. He focuses on the team's performance and areas for improvement.
Tottenham's home form contrasts sharply with their away record. This season, their away form is considered excellent, with 3 wins and 1 draw. In contrast, their home form is poor, with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss. This discrepancy highlights the challenges Frank faces in making Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a fortress.
Frank has called for a stronger connection between the team and the fans to improve the home atmosphere. He believes that a cohesive relationship, where both the team and the fans bring energy and positivity, is crucial, especially during tough moments in a match. He recognizes that fans need to support the team, especially when games become difficult. He understands that it's rare for a team to play perfectly for the entire match, and fan support can help them through challenging periods.
Injuries have also played a role in Tottenham's recent struggles. In the match against Aston Villa, Cristian Romero was ruled out just before kick-off due to an adductor issue. Frank said Romero had felt a slight pain in the days leading up to the game, and the team expected him to be fine, but he wasn't. Micky van de Ven acknowledged that Romero's late withdrawal was a blow, although he thought Kevin Danso, Romero's replacement, performed well. Injuries to key players like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke have added to the team's challenges.
Despite the defeat, Mohammed Kudus has been a bright spot for Tottenham. Since joining the club, he has contributed goals and assists, impressing with his dribbling skills and direct attacking style. Frank has encouraged Kudus to express himself on the field, and he has quickly become a key player in the team's attack.
Looking ahead, Frank faces the task of addressing Tottenham's home form to achieve the club's ambitions. While he acknowledges the need for the team to excite the fans with positive and attacking play, he also emphasizes the importance of fan support during difficult moments.
