Jamie O’Hara highlights the three major problems at Tottenham Hotspur this season
Tottenham’s 2–1 defeat to Fulham at home has ignited yet another wave of frustration among supporters, and former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara has not held back in diagnosing what he sees as a growing crisis under Thomas Frank.
It wasn’t just the loss, it was the manner of it that has sent the Spurs faithful over the edge. The Lilywhites shot themselves in the foot early, first allowing Kenny Tete’s heavily deflected strike to wrong-foot Guglielmo Vicario, then gifting Fulham a second goal through an error the goalkeeper will want buried deep in the archives. Six minutes in, Spurs were 2–0 down at home, the atmosphere had soured, and Frank stood watching a collapse unfold that was entirely of his own team’s making.
Vicario, usually a fan favourite, was booed every time he touched the ball following the mistake. And even though Mohammed Kudus sparked hope with a thunderous finish just before the hour mark, Tottenham never looked like a side fully in control of their destiny. Four home defeats before December simply isn’t Spurs’ standard.
Jamie O’Hara gets stuck in
Speaking bluntly on X, Jamie O’Hara summed up what many Spurs fans have been whispering for weeks.
His words were harsh but not baseless. Spurs hired Frank following Ange Postecoglou’s Europa League triumph, an achievement that masked a woeful league campaign which saw them finish 17th and ultimately cost the Australian his job.
The Austrian arrived with a reputation for structure, discipline and intelligent counter-attacking football. He was supposed to add steel to the chaos. Instead, Tottenham look caught between two identities: no longer Postecoglou’s aggressive possession machine, but nowhere near the compact, well-drilled Brentford side Frank once sculpted.
Tottenham’s £150m attacking rebuild hasn’t delivered
The wider concern is that Spurs spent heavily in the summer, and they are still suffering from the same issues as last season. Over £150 million was invested, with Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, and Randal Kolo Muani arriving to reshape the frontline.
Simons, one of Europe’s most coveted young creators, has struggled to adapt to the physicality and rhythm of the Premier League. Kolo Muani, a deadline day arrival, looks short of confidence and rhythm after an injury-hit start. Kudus, ironically the least glamorous signing of the three, has been the only one who looks fully up to speed.
All three were meant to elevate the attack; instead, their differing adaptation speeds have exposed flaws in Spurs’ transfer strategy. Experience in English football would have gone a long way, especially in a squad already in transition.
A squad still searching for it’s identity
The Postecoglou era ended with a Europa League title but also a fractured squad lacking identity. Frank inherited that confusion, and despite financial backing, cohesion remains elusive.
This season was supposed to represent a step forward. Instead, Tottenham sit in the frustrating middle ground of transition: expensive signings not yet clicking, a system not yet clear, and results, especially at home, simply not good enough.
Frank isn’t out of time yet, but results like the Fulham defeat and performances lacking heart will continue to sharpen the knives. Spurs fans want progress. They want structure. They want something to believe in. Right now, all they see are warning signs.