<\/p>\n
The club hierarchy is aware of the current disconnect between Frank and Spurs fans, arguably exacerbated by his high-risk strategy of going public with criticism after keeper Gugliemo Vicario was booed, then cheered ironically, after making an error in the home reverse against Fulham<\/a> at the end of November.<\/p>\n Frank described Vicario’s treatment as “unacceptable” and not the actions of “true Spurs supporters”. Bold \u2013 but an approach that rarely goes down well, or ends well.<\/p>\n The fact that the discontent was so public brought Frank’s turmoil into sharper relief, with travelling supporters making their feelings known loudly in Monaco after a goalless draw in the Champions League, in a fierce reaction to another 0-0 stalemate at his former club Brentford<\/a>, then again when Spurs went down at Bournemouth<\/a>.<\/p>\n Van de Ven and other players appeared to confront supporters at The Vitality Stadium following Antoine Semenyo’s late winner, with Romero later launching his public broadside at the club.<\/p>\n Frank defended Romero, saying he is “a young leader”, when in fact the Argentine – too often a disciplinary and playing liability – is 27 and a World Cup winner for his country.<\/p>\n He appeared to treat Romero with kid gloves when a heavier punishment could easily have been in order, only increasing the impression, publicly at least, that Frank struggles to impose himself on his players.<\/p>\n And at the heart of it all is a stodgy playing style which has not won enough matches, or favour with Spurs fans.<\/p>\n The timid five-man defence Frank employed in the 4-1 hammering in the north London derby at Arsenal<\/a> on 23 November was another point of heavy contention, while Spurs still show no signs of true identity.<\/p>\n Spurs – as a club and fanbase – is currently a joyless place. <\/p>\n They are reasonably placed at 11th in the Champions League table, with a chance of reaching the top eight to automatically qualify for the knockout phase, but there has been no improvement in the Premier League.<\/p>\n They are currently 14th on 27 points, while after 21 games last season they were 13th with 24 points under Postecoglou.<\/p>\n