After Tottenham’s thumping win over Copenhagen in the Champions League, Thomas Frank has reacted to Jamie Carragher’s criticism of his side.
Ahead of yesterday’s clash, Frank was under immense pressure, and based on the meltdown on social media, one would not have guessed that Tottenham were sitting fifth in the Premier League table and were unbeaten in the Champions League.
The Tottenham boss acknowledged that his side’s performance against Chelsea was not good enough, admitting it was one of the poorest attacking displays he has presided over across his managerial career.
However, Frank rallied against suggestions that he was a defensive coach and insisted that the Spurs would score goals when they click, and that is exactly what happened against Copenhagen.
Jamie Carragher slated Tottenham and Joao Palhinha in particular on Monday Night Football last week, with his comments including:
“A big problem for Thomas Frank and other managers who make that jump from a smaller team in the Premier League to one of the big boys, especially when they are seen as a pragmatic coach, is actually bringing the football to these teams.
“You might look at that result and think there’s not a lot wrong, but when you watch the game at the weekend, that was like watching a League Two team against a Premier League team in the FA Cup.
“When you look at the stats, there was a huge contrast with the ball, and that is the biggest challenge for any coach making that jump from one of the teams in the bottom half of the Premier League to one of the big boys.”
Thomas Frank takes aim at Jamie Carragher after Tottenham criticism
When Carragher’s comments about Tottenham after their loss to Chelsea were put to the 52-year-old, he remarked that it is far easier for pundits to criticise from the outside.
Frank insisted that the important thing was for his side to bounce back from Saturday’s performance, praising the response of his players against Copenhagen.
When the Spurs boss was told that Carragher had said Tottenham lacked courage, confidence and ability against Chelsea, he responded (via Football.London): “Yeah, I didn’t see his comments. So not too much to say to that. The pundits are pundits. They need to say something about the games. I’ve been a pundit myself sometimes. Put it this way, I know it’s easier to be that than stand down there.
“I saw a good performance today, which I’m happy with. We talk a lot about bounce-back mentality, because in life and football, there will be setbacks. Every team will experience that. And it’s how we react to that to come out after a bad game or a bad spell and come back to it. That’s part of a good team. I’m very happy with the response the players came up with today.”
Frank explains why Spurs deserve credit for thumping Copenhagen
Some will feel that Tottenham only beat a relatively minnow, and point to the fact that Spurs were massive favourites against Copenhagen anyway.
However, Frank insisted that the Danish side are a well-organised outfit and confidently asserted that not many sides in the Champions League will beat them as comprehensively as his team did.
The 52-year-old added: “I think we controlled the game from minute one to the end, more or less. There was, of course, a little bit about the red card and making the side that should not be a problem.
“And then we won a very good win in the Champions League. And it’s never easy. I know Copenhagen hadn’t had a good start, but I just know they are, in general, very difficult to play against. And I’m pretty sure we’ll not see them lose 4-0 again in the Champions League.”
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