Thomas Frank has insisted that all is well in the Tottenham camp, despite the antics of Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence immediately after Saturday's defeat to Chelsea.
Spurs, having exited the Carabao Cup days prior, were nothing short of dire against the Blues, as their wretched run in the fixture perpetuated. Chelsea have now won five on the bounce head-to-head, and none came easier than their most recent success.
It had the makings of a special north London night, but the fantasy of a statement win was usurped by a glum reality. A Lilywhite team bereft of courage and intent barely laid a glove on one of their most bitter rivals, and the nature of their performance doubtless left factions of the fanbase in a state of consternation.
Many accepted Frank as the ideal successor to Ange Postecoglou, but some are starting to feel that they're yet to receive what was advertised from the Dane. Spurs have been a tough watch for much of the Frank era so far, and it felt like a nadir was reached in Saturday's defeat.
Thus, player frustrations would've been understandable, but seeing Van de Ven and Spence defy the manager's instructions in the aftermath was a worrying look.
Frank confirms Van de Ven and Spence apologies for post-Chelsea antics
Spence and van de Ven blank Thomas Frank at the final whistle: Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea.
— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) November 1, 2025
Boos from the crowd.#COYS #THFC pic.twitter.com/MMB4f9Ywbq
Frank sauntered onto the field after shaking hands with Enzo Maresca, prepared to embark on his usual routine. Vehement boos rang out inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as they did at the half-time interval, with supporters manifesting their discontent at what they'd just been subjected to.
The first two players he encountered, Van de Ven and Spence, as I'm sure you've all seen, walked straight past their manager and down the tunnel. Frank encouraged the pair to applaud the home faithful, but neither obliged.
The previous Sunday, Frank and Van de Ven were full of glee in tandem as they walked over to the travelling supporters at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium off the back of the Dutchman's match-winning brace. So much can change in such a short time at this football club.
Suddenly, the mood in N17 is bleak again, with the post-match sequence on Saturday sparking murmurs of potential dressing room discontent.
However, Frank hasn't allowed the situation to intensify, immediately describing it as a "small thing". Ahead of Tuesday's more important than it felt a week ago clash with Copenhagen, the manager confirmed that the two shunners apologised to him: "Micky and Djed came into my office yesterday [Sunday] unprompted to say sorry. They were just frustrated."
Hopefully, that is the end of that. The horror performance Frank's side produced on a significant occasion meant emotions were sky-high in the aftermath, and the incident perhaps felt more seismic at the time. All is well in the Lilywhite camp, but boy, do they need to offer supporters something on Tuesday night.