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'More tolerated than adored'- Jamie Carragher outlines why Thomas Frank is underestimated at Tottenham

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Nov 1, 2025 10:19 AM ET

Jamie Carragher believes Tottenham Hotspur fans are yet to fully show faith in Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank’s early days at Tottenham Hotspur draw both intrigue and hesitation. The north London side’s convincing 3-0 win at Everton lifted them to third in the Premier League and showed clear progress from last season’s chaotic 17th-place finish under Ange Postecoglou.

The numbers do show improvement, but uncertainty still hangs over the stands. Frank’s calm authority brings structure, but many supporters still question his style. Fans who once enjoyed open, expressive football now see a team built on discipline, compactness, and control, yet the optimism that usually follows early success still hasn’t reached the fan base.

The mood dipped when Spurs crashed out of the Carabao Cup after a 2-0 loss to Newcastle United. That defeat ended their first shot at a major trophy this season. Frank now faces a crucial home clash against Chelsea, a test that will show whether his tactical approach holds up under pressure.

In this situation, according to The Telegraph (October 31), Jamie Carragher said that Frank’s current acceptance by supporters feels more like tolerance than admiration. He believed Spurs hired Frank at the right time, since the team could only improve after last season’s poor finish. Carragher added that fans may take time to connect with a manager who values control more than flair. The 52-year-old called the bond between Frank and the supporters a “slow burner,” suggesting patience now outweighs passion.

“For the time being, Frank’s pragmatic approach is probably more tolerated than adored.”

“Frank was appointed at an ideal moment because there is so much room for improvement. The downside is he is being underestimated because everyone knows Spurs were such underachievers.”

“Since there was zero chance of Spurs being relegated, Frank literally could not have done any worse than Postecoglou in the Premier League. It was inevitable they would get far better very quickly.”

“My instincts are that the relationship between Frank and his new fanbase will be a slow burner.”

Carragher’s opinion makes sense on the surface, but it misses an important detail about this Tottenham side. Frank has moved firmly away from Postecoglou’s rigid “Ange-ball” and built a flexible system that thrives on balance and adaptability.

A tactical approach that divides opinion but hints at long-term reward

The 47-year-old often switches between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-5-2, allowing his players to adjust during matches. This flexibility makes Tottenham unpredictable, especially in transitions. Their compact defensive shape cuts their goals conceded to 0.8 per game from 1.8 last season. The man-to-man press demands constant focus, but when players execute it well, they suffocate opponents high up the pitch.

Tottenham’s carefully planned, data-driven set-piece routines have produced over 25% of their league goals this season. However, flaws remain that even Frank’s supporters can’t ignore. The attack turns predictable against tight defences because much of it flows through the flanks. The team relies heavily on fullbacks and wingers, leaving them vulnerable when opponents shut down the wide areas.

What’s different from last season?

Still, Frank’s tactical discipline gives this team direction, something Postecoglou’s Tottenham often lacked. From Tottenham’s point of view, Carragher underestimates how deeply the fans crave stability. They have endured years of inconsistent systems and fading ideas.

Frank now offers steady progress instead of flash and chaos. As the results improve, respect will likely replace doubt. Spurs fans value growth, and this team finally shows clear signs of it.

Meanwhile, Tottenham target Ivan Toney remains content at Al Ahli and has no plans to move in January, while the club intends to recall Donley early from his loan at Stoke City to add depth. These updates, though small, show that Frank’s Spurs project keeps moving forward one steady step at a time.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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