Tottenham Hotspur’s feeble defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground last weekend was disorganised and devoid of inspiration. The display summed up a side still searching for identity and stability.
In the aftermath, Thomas Frank has been tasked by the Lewis family with restoring structure and direction at Spurs. However, it is difficult to claim the club has progressed since the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou at the end of the 2024/25 season. That said, Frank has the pedigree to rebuild. His impressive work at Brentford surpassed expectations, and he remains convinced that genuine improvement will follow. While patience is required, results are non-negotiable, and the Dane faces several pressing obstacles in N17.
Key challenges facing Frank at Tottenham
Frank’s irritation was clear as his players trudged off following the loss at Forest — and understandably so. The performance highlighted a catalogue of problems across the pitch.
Pedro Porro is one of several players enduring a difficult season. Although the Spanish full-back provides attacking quality, he has struggled to balance his game, often looking vulnerable defensively and, at times, lacking focus.
Sofascore data paints a worrying picture: Spurs lost 57% of their aerial duels against Forest, while just three of their 19 attempted crosses found a teammate. These numbers underline how ineffective and disjointed the team was.
However, Tottenham’s issues are not solely tactical. Individual errors continue to cost them dearly. While structural flaws remain, repeated mistakes are arguably the most damaging and urgent concern.
According to Premier League statistics from FBref, Spurs have committed more errors than any other side this season, conceding 21 goals from 20 mistakes — a deeply alarming record.
This raises uncomfortable questions about personnel. History shows that unreliable players, regardless of ability, can derail progress. Frank may now be confronting his own version of a familiar Spurs problem.
A modern-day Serge Aurier?
Serge Aurier spent four turbulent seasons at Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino and later José Mourinho. Signed from PSG for £23m, the powerful right-back possessed the physical and technical attributes to succeed in England, yet his Spurs career was marred by rash decisions and costly lapses, frequently criticised by pundits such as Jamie Redknapp.
Tottenham may now be dealing with a similar situation — this time between the posts. Guglielmo Vicario has been involved in several of Spurs’ error-strewn performances this campaign.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper, signed from Empoli for an initial £17m, is now in his third season at the club. While his 70.6% save rate ranks seventh in the Premier League, he has also made a number of high-profile mistakes, attracting criticism from Jamie Carragher and frustration among supporters.
After his display against Forest, Nigel Reo-Coker described Vicario as “embarrassing” and “under immense pressure.” Although his place is not immediately at risk, expectations are rising as he enters what should be the peak years of his career.
Vicario was at fault for both goals conceded to Callum Hudson-Odoi, and that match was far from an anomaly. Since arriving in the Premier League, he has committed 11 direct errors, including six in just 24 appearances last season.
Like Aurier, Vicario offers qualities that can benefit Spurs, but his mistakes risk outweighing his contributions. If Thomas Frank is serious about building long-term stability and progress, he may eventually be forced to consider whether moving on from his first-choice goalkeeper is necessary.
