Tottenham are keen to build on last season’s Europa League success under Thomas Frank.
Tottenham fans got to see their team end a 17-year wait for a major trophy in May, as the Lilywhites went on to win the Europa League against all odds last season. Ange Postecoglou stayed true to his promise and delivered silverware in his second season at N17, helping the club secure Champions League qualification for the ongoing campaign as well, despite finishing 17th in the Premier League.
However, the North London club’s Premier League story has remained the same under two different managers. Spurs failed to show consistency in domestic competitions under Big Ange, which ultimately cost the Australian tactician his job at N17 in the summer. That same pattern has continued under Thomas Frank, with the Danish tactician now under scrutiny for failing to improve the club’s league form.
Spurs are currently 11th in the league table, having secured just 25 points from their opening 18 matches. They have been inconsistent for large parts of the campaign, dropping points to Wolves, Newcastle United, Brighton, and Fulham in the first half of the season. Many supporters have raised concerns about the direction the club is heading in, with Thomas Frank failing to live up to his promise of making Spurs competitive on all four fronts this season.
Tottenham aiming for consistency and European qualification this season
There is still time for Tottenham to rescue their campaign if they can put together a strong run of results. The Lilywhites possess a squad that is more than capable of competing at the top end of the Premier League table. Instead, they find themselves battling to break into the top half, largely due to Frank’s inability to consistently bring the best out of his players.
Micky van de Ven has now outlined what a successful season would look like for Spurs as they head into the second half of the campaign. Speaking to Sky Sports (via Chris Cowlin):
“First we need to make sure we play with stability, that we play more consistently. There are too many ups and downs. Then we just want to play Europe next year, that’s the big aim – it’s where this club needs to play. There’s the FA Cup still to play for, a lovely competition. And we’re still in the Champions League.”
Van de Ven wants the Spurs squad to perform consistently next year as they look to build on last season’s Europa League success. The Dutchman also acknowledged that the Lilywhites are targeting European qualification this season under Thomas Frank. With Spurs still competing in the FA Cup, they also have an opportunity to secure a domestic trophy if they prioritise the cup competitions in the coming months.
The responsibility now rests with Thomas Frank to turn the club’s fortunes around in the second half of the campaign and help the North Londoners close the gap on their rivals. Spurs’ main priority should be building a strong squad capable of competing for major honours by the end of the season, with a clear focus on adding reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Will Spurs be able to challenge for places at the top end of the Premier League table this season? Or will it be another campaign in which supporters are left waiting to see genuine progress under Thomas Frank? Only time will tell.