There is unlikely to be a knee-jerk reaction at Tottenham to Sunday’s disappointing loss at Nottingham Forest.
Thomas Frank’s future has been thrust back into the spotlight once again following the 3-0 loss at the City Ground that, not for the first time this season, sparked anger from Spurs supporters towards their head coach.
But for the time being, there is no sense that the Dane’s future is under any immediate threat despite the lacklustre level of performance against Forest.
For context, Tottenham were on the back of a three-match unbeaten run ahead of Sunday’s loss – a credible 2-2 draw at Newcastle was followed by two straight victories over Brentford and Slavia Prague.
Prior to the loss to Sean Dyche’s side there had been shoots of improvement, so with that said Sunday’s loss is unlikely to prompt an immediate change of tact.
That’s not to say that the backing for Frank is entirely universal behind the scenes at the north London club.
Following the home loss to Fulham on November 29, which extended a worrying run of just one victory in eight matches, well-placed sources told BBC Sport at the time that Frank’s performance had come increasing internal scrutiny.
The apparent disdain from sections of supporters towards Frank during the opening half of the season is also an unsavoury dynamic that has not gone unnoticed.
Spurs, though, are yet to reach a point so far this season whereby they have given serious consideration to dispensing with Frank.
There is an acknowledgement that there will be bumps in the road, though you can imagine Frank can ill-afford many days like Sunday if those aforementioned doubts aren’t to resurface more prominently in the coming weeks.
It is also key to point out that chief executive Vinai Venkatesham was integral to Arsenal’s decision to stick with Mikel Arteta during some of the lowest depths of the Spaniard’s stewardship at the Emirates.
Arsenal are now widely viewed as one of the strongest teams in European football.
Frank has some way to go emulate Arteta – but there is currently a willingness to give him an opportunity to lay foundations towards a similar path to success.
Results, though, will be key towards that continued support. Further disappointments like the one suffered on Sunday and Frank’s backing will wane.
