No manager in world football is under more pressure right now than Thomas Frank, and that list includes some pretty high profile coaches sitting on a very hot seat, such as Xabi Alonso over at the perpetually scorching Real Madrid. But Tottenham Hotspur have suffered crushing defeat after crushing defeat under Frank, whose quotes at press conferences have left supporter incensed and grievously insulted.
Spurs were coming off back to back losses to local rivals, first falling 4-1 to Arsenal in a historically horrid North London Derby before crumbling 2-1 to Fulham in another inexcusable outing. And while Tottenham did not play well enough in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle to fully take the pressure off Frank, the solitary point is just enough to help Frank survive at least another week without very, very serious conversations regarding his future.
In truth, Tottenham were not impressive against Newcastle, and Frank had nothing really to do with the draw either. He benched Xavi Simons for a fourth straight game, picked another lousy lineup, and chose a tactical plan that left the defense exposed and the attack with no ideas. And for a fourth straight game, too, Spurs had no shots on target at all in the first half.
Tottenham had every right to lose
Yet, thanks to captain Cristian Romero, who returned from a one game suspension against Fulham, Spurs survived. He scored two late goals, including a bicycle kick at the death that saw him channel his inner Jude Bellingham (or Wayne Rooney, whichever you prefer) to rescue a draw from the throes of defeat.
Tottenham had every right to lose this game thanks to Frank's coaching incompetence, and that would have sent both Frank and the club into a tailspin. But Spurs were able to save some face thanks to the clutch gene of Romero, who has won a World Cup, Copa America, and Europa League in his illustrious career as one of the world's finest center backs.
Romero bailed Frank out big time. Frank owes him everything, especially since Romero was a player who loved Ange Postecoglou very dearly and could have easily left Spurs holding the bag by requesting a transfer after the way they cruelly fired BIg Ange to replace Frank.
Given Frank has set the team back significantly and lost the fan base already, Romero would have been forgiving for not bringing his absolute, 1000 percent intensity to the table. But that's not Romero's style at all ,and Frank needs to be eternally grateful to Romero for saving his behind vs. Newcastle.