Thomas Frank was already under increasing scrutiny before Tottenham Hotspur’s embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but the result has ramped up the pressure on the Spurs head coach even further. In the aftermath, supporters made it clear that Frank is not the only one in their sights, with three senior players also drawing heavy criticism.
Tottenham travelled to the City Ground buoyed by renewed confidence after back-to-back victories. A comfortable 2-0 league win over Brentford was followed by an impressive 3-0 Champions League triumph against Slavia Prague, results that briefly eased concerns over Frank’s difficult start in the job. Any optimism quickly disappeared, however, as Forest completely outworked and outplayed Spurs from the opening whistle.
Sean Dyche’s side dominated throughout, with Callum Hudson-Odoi causing constant problems. The winger opened the scoring in the 28th minute and doubled his tally shortly after half-time in the 50th. Ibrahim Sangaré then sealed a comprehensive victory with a late goal in the 79th minute. The loss was Tottenham’s sixth in 16 Premier League matches, a figure that has only deepened fan frustration.
While Frank has taken much of the blame, attention soon shifted to individual performances, with three players singled out after what many supporters viewed as an unacceptable display.
Fans Turn on Underperforming Trio
Anger was largely directed at goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who endured a disastrous moment for Hudson-Odoi’s second goal when a routine-looking cross floated over him into the far corner. For many fans, the error typified a worrying dip in form this season.
Vicario has struggled to return to his best since coming back from a fractured ankle suffered last term, and costly mistakes have become increasingly common. Similar issues surfaced in last month’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham, leaving a growing section of the fanbase feeling their patience has run out.
Rodrigo Bentancur also faced criticism. Once a key presence in midfield, the Uruguayan again looked off the pace against Forest and failed to influence the game, reinforcing concerns that his impact has waned significantly.
Richarlison completed the trio under fire. The Brazilian forward’s inconsistency has long divided opinion, but his ineffective showing at the City Ground appeared to push many supporters beyond breaking point, offering little threat and failing to make an impression.
Supporter Fury Boils Over
Fans were quick to vent online, with one writing on X:
“Richarlison, Bentancur, Vicario. Sick of watching more than any others.”
Another post read:
“Vicario out. Porro out. Bentancur out. Richarlison out.”
Others echoed the sentiment, including:
“Leave Frank, Vicario, Bentancur and Richarlison in Nottingham please.”
One particularly damning comment captured the mood:
“That’s enough. Frank has to go. Richarlison has to go. Vicario has to go. Bentancur has to go. Cull it. Restart.”
Calls for sweeping changes continued, with several fans demanding the immediate removal of the trio from the club.
A Rebuild Feels Inevitable
Although moving on from all three players in the short term seems unlikely given their roles in Frank’s squad, there is a growing belief that a wider rebuild cannot be avoided. This is despite a busy summer transfer window that failed to deliver the immediate improvement many supporters expected, particularly from players who have been at the club long enough to carry responsibility.
Key Decisions Ahead for Tottenham
Vicario’s position is becoming an urgent concern. There is only so long Frank—and the fans—can overlook costly errors, and the goalkeeper’s status as the clear first choice now looks increasingly uncertain.
January signing Antonín Kinský offers an alternative. The 22-year-old Czech impressed in limited chances, including a standout display in last season’s 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Liverpool, but many feel his lack of experience makes him a risky long-term solution.
Richarlison’s future also remains in doubt. Once expected to leave in the summer after falling out of favour under Ange Postecoglou, his continued inconsistency has done little to change that narrative. As supporter frustration continues to build, Spurs may be forced into difficult decisions both on and off the pitch.
