Tottenham Hotspur are an important reminder of how quickly things can turn in football. On Tuesday night, at a usually gloomy Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Thomas Frank's side enjoyed a much-needed victory, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League.
First-half goals from Cristian Romero and then the returning Dominic Solanke secured victory for Spurs, albeit Daniel Svensson's early red card, dismissed for a bad tackle on Wilson Odobert, certainly did not help die Schwarzgelben's cause.
This victory skyrocketed the Lilywhites up to fourth in the gigantic Champions League table, above last year's two finalists, PSG and Inter Milan, as well as Manchester City. The Europa League winners are now undefeated in 24 European home matches, beaten only once in this season's league phase, and this came in Paris against the holders in November.
Thus, ahead of next Wednesday's visit to Frankfurt, Tottenham know that a victory at Waldstadion would see them cement a spot in the round of 16. This result and performance justified the hierarchy's decision not to sack Frank following the horrific weekend defeat to West Ham, but can Tottenham now transfer their impressive form on the continent back into the Premier League?
Thomas Frank simply must beat Burnley
Spurs are now unbeaten in 24 home games in UEFA competition, dating back to February 2020 against RB Leipzig, just before lockdown. In this season's Champions League league phase, they have won four out of four in N17, scoring ten goals and conceding zero.
In complete contrast, Tottenham have won just four of their last 25 Premier League home matches, losing 15, scoring 33 times but letting in 45 up the other end.
Overall, Spurs have won just two of 13 league fixtures since the start of November, beating only Brentford and Crystal Palace during this period. At the weekend, West Ham ended their own ten-match winless streak by beating Tottenham in injury time. In the game before, Bournemouth had been without a win in 11, before Antoine Semenyo's stoppage-time strike against Spurs in the South Coast.
Down in 14th, it is easy to understand why the pressure is mounting on Frank, but Spurs would be crazy to sack him right now. Their weekend hosts Burnley are currently winless in 13, but surely Dr Tottenham can't cure a team for a third week in a row, right?
They really need three points at Turf Moor. That's because, after that, Spurs' four fixtures in February are Manchester City (H), Manchester United (A), Newcastle (H) and Arsenal (H). So, even if, as many supporters believe, Frank is not the guy, there is no point throwing a new manager into such a nightmarish situation. If the zeitgeist is still bleak by March, then perhaps a change is required, but their continued excellent European form should encourage supporters.