Tottenham Hotspur reporters have grown used to a familiar tone from Thomas Frank. Even when results disappoint, the Dane typically finds something constructive, offering honest analysis without allowing frustration to dominate the message.

That tone was nowhere to be found after Sunday’s bleak 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

As Frank entered the press conference room at the City Ground, the optimism had vanished. His opening answer set the mood, labelling the display “very disappointing”, “bad” and “disjointed”. Given the context, it would have been absurd to suggest otherwise. Forest began the weekend sitting 17th in the Premier League, and this was arguably Tottenham Hotspur’s poorest performance of the season.

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A rare moment of visible frustration

“I do everything to control my emotions, which is a hurricane inside me, because it’s deeply frustrating we are not doing better today after three good performances,” Frank admitted. “It’s extremely important to be calm and measured. I’m very honest about where we are. I was also very honest today — it was a very bad performance.

“But I also know to change this will take some time. No one wants to hear about that. But it’s just reality.”

Those words landed heavily with supporters already losing patience. Yet they also cut to the heart of Tottenham’s current predicament. This side remains a work in progress, and on too many occasions this season they have been well below the required level.

Creativity, in particular, has become a glaring issue. Under Ange Postecoglou, goals were rarely a concern. Under Frank, in the pursuit of control and structure, the attacking spark has faded alarmingly. Spurs have recorded three of the league’s worst ten expected goals performances this campaign, including two among the bottom three. For a club aspiring to European qualification, those numbers are deeply troubling.

Signs of dissent and costly errors

Worse still, there are worrying signs beneath the surface. Djed Spence’s visibly negative reaction to being substituted at the City Ground raised eyebrows, coming only weeks after Spence and Micky van de Ven appeared to ignore their coach’s attempt to have the players applaud supporters following the home defeat to Chelsea.

Alongside that simmering frustration is a recurring habit of individual mistakes. Spurs have now conceded five goals directly from errors, fewer than only bottom-side Wolverhampton Wanderers. These are not isolated incidents, and crucially, they are not problems with easy solutions.

In Frank’s own words, there is no “quick fix”.

Archie Gray and a harsh Premier League lesson

Sunday’s opening goal stemmed from the first major error of the afternoon, and it came from Archie Gray. For the 19-year-old, it was a sobering reminder of the unforgiving nature of Premier League football.

After a promising run of performances in recent weeks, Gray had begun to stake a claim for a regular role at the base of midfield. With Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha offering little urgency or invention, the need for something different was obvious.

Yet the City Ground proved an uncomfortable environment for a young midfielder still learning his trade.

Receiving a short pass from Guglielmo Vicario on the edge of the box, Gray found himself under immediate pressure from Ibrahim Sangare. It was an awkward ball, but one a more experienced player might have dealt with differently. A first-time pass to Cristian Romero or a quicker movement away from danger would have eased the pressure.

Instead, a loose touch allowed Sangare to pounce, and moments later Callum Hudson-Odoi had fired Forest into the lead.

Frank was clear afterwards that Vicario was not at fault, explaining that Gray should have “bounced” the pass wide immediately. The manager’s assessment was fair, if brutal.

Encouragingly, the teenager’s response was positive. His volley on the turn soon after forced a strong save from John Victor, a glimpse of confidence and resilience that suggests he has the mentality to succeed at this level. But the broader issues in Spurs’ midfield remain far more concerning.

A midfield short on experience and authority

Compared with Forest’s engine room, Tottenham’s midfield looked lightweight, lacking physicality, quality and Premier League know-how. It would not be outrageous to suggest Frank might happily swap his options for Sean Dyche’s entire midfield trio if given the choice.

That imbalance is not the fault of the head coach. Central midfield is one of several areas where the squad lacks proven quality. Recruitment has leaned heavily towards youth, and while the long-term potential is clear, few of those players appear ready to shoulder the responsibility of playing week in, week out in England’s top flight.

Compounding the issue are ongoing problems with prime-age signings. Yves Bissouma and James Maddison have both spent significant time unavailable through injury, while some recent arrivals have struggled to make an immediate impact.

Pressure, patience and a long-term vision

Historically, Tottenham managers have rarely been afforded patience. Under former chairman Daniel Levy, results dictated survival, often at the expense of long-term planning. The club’s new administration is ambitious, openly targeting a European finish this season, which only intensifies the pressure on Frank.

Performances must improve, and quickly, if he is to establish his vision in north London. But the underlying reality remains unchanged.

Spurs are not a quick fix.

Since Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, the club’s recruitment strategy has focused firmly on youth. That approach is meaningless unless there is a coherent plan to nurture and develop that talent. If Tottenham Hotspur are to re-establish themselves as consistent Champions League contenders, players such as Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall will need to play significant roles.

Why Thomas Frank still makes sense

This is where Thomas Frank’s credentials matter. His record at Brentford speaks volumes. He consistently developed young players, improved them tactically and mentally, and built a collective identity capable of competing above its perceived level.

Those same qualities are required at Tottenham now more than ever.

For that to happen, the 52-year-old must be granted something Spurs have historically struggled to offer: time. This is Frank’s first job at a club of this scale, and the learning curve is steep. But the foundations of a coherent project are there, even if results like Sunday’s defeat threaten to obscure them.

The Forest loss was a brutal reminder of how far Spurs still have to go. It was uncomfortable, chastening and alarming in equal measure. Yet it also underlined a truth supporters may not want to hear.

If Tottenham Hotspur want sustainable success rather than another short-term reset, patience with Thomas Frank may be the most important signing they make all season.