The pressure cooker at Tottenham is set to boil over as under fire boss Thomas Frank prepares for a critical Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, admitting he’s had no concrete assurances over his future.
Frank cut a defiant but isolated figure in Monday’s press conference, insisting it was “business as usual” despite Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to West Ham, a result that sparked furious “sacked in the morning” chants from the Spurs faithful. It marked an eighth defeat in 14 dismal games under his stewardship. While the Dane revealed a lunch with CEO Vinai Venkatesham and other top brass, no public vote of confidence was forthcoming. “I’ve just been feeling the trust along the way,” he said, a statement that will do little to cool the simmering discontent in N17.
Elsewhere in North London, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus has thrown his support behind struggling strike partner Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish forward, with just eight goals since his big money move, was hooked for Jesus in Saturday’s drab draw at Nottingham Forest. Jesus, himself on the comeback trail from a long term knee injury and likely to start against Inter Milan, said: “Every striker has moments. His quality is clear, he just needs to stay calm. The goals will come.”
In Manchester, there was a happier ending for Marc Guehi. The England defender expressed his “relief” after finally completing a £20m switch from Crystal Palace to Manchester City. “It’s a relief,” Guehi admitted. “This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work. I am now at the best club in England.” His arrival offers vital cover for Pep Guardiola’s injury hit backline.
The weekend’s magic moment belonged to Brighton’s 18 year old sensation Charalampos Kostoulas. The substitute snatched a breathtaking 1-1 draw with Bournemouth by launching into a 93rd minute overhead kick, his second goal in English football. Boss Fabian Hurzeler praised the “great goal” but lamented, “we all prefer to win these type of games.”
What’s On Today:
All eyes are on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for what could be Frank’s last stand as Spurs host Dortmund. Arsenal travel to the formidable San Siro to face Inter Milan, while Manchester City brace for a frozen trip to face Bodo/Glimt. In the Championship, leaders Coventry host Millwall, and the FA Cup offers a shot at glory as Salford and Swindon battle for a money spinning fourth round visit to the Etihad.
