Tottenham will not panic over Thomas Frank but methods under scrutiny

Tottenham Hotspur are determined to give Thomas Frank enough time to get things right, despite fears around the club he is making life hard for himself by chopping and changing too much.

Frank apologised to Tottenham fans following the surrender at north London rivals Arsenal that has prompted scrutiny over the Dane’s decision-making and tactics from outside the club.

Sources around Spurs have told Telegraph Sport they believe Frank’s numerous changes have contributed to inconsistency and the team’s lack of attacking potency.

Some players are thought to be keen for Frank to focus more on the strengths of his own team, rather than the opposition, although it is unclear how strong and widespread that feeling is.

The Lewis family, the club’s owners, have been clear in their messaging that they are targeting long-term sporting success under Frank and that is understood to remain the case, which suggests no short-term decisions are on the horizon.

Sunday’s limp defeat at the Emirates was described as a “painful day” by insiders, but more than one source insisted the club are not panicking and remain focused on the long term.

Frank and his players spent Monday at the club’s training ground as planned, with the squad training and travelling to France on Tuesday for their Champions League match against holders Paris St-Germain the following evening.

Only Wolves and Chelsea have made more changes to starting XI

Tottenham lacked any sort of cohesion against Arsenal after Frank took the number of changes he has made to his starting XI to 29 for the Premier League so far. That is the third-most of any club after Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea.

Injuries have played their part, but Frank has made a number of unenforced changes such as dropping right-back Pedro Porro against Arsenal and playing Kevin Danso in a back five.

Tottenham’s record with a back four of Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie was better than any other combination last season and some club insiders even thought that, when all fully fit, it represented one of the best defences in the League.

But Frank has changed between Porro, Udogie and Djed Spence, who started against Arsenal, in his full-back positions – sometimes unnecessarily.

Solanke’s injury leads to lack of coherence in striker selection

Most of Frank’s changes have come in forward positions, with Frank unable to settle on a first-choice striker, with Dominic Solanke injured, and looking at a number of different options in the wide positions and at No 10.

Summer signing Xavi Simons started in the draw with Manchester United before the international break, but was dropped back down to the substitutes’ bench at Arsenal. His half-time introduction at the Emirates at least prompted some attacking ambition from Spurs.

Last season’s top scorer, Brennan Johnson, has been in and out of the team, while Richarlison and on-loan Randal Kolo Muani have been deployed out wide and through the middle.

While it is recognised that Frank must rotate his team as he juggles Premier League and Champions League campaigns, a lack of consistency in his team selections is seen by sources around Spurs as an issue he must get to grips with.

It would be a surprise if Frank does not make changes for the trip to PSG, given how badly his team played against Arsenal, but some believe he would benefit from trying to pick a more settled side to try to build from in the coming weeks.

With the winter transfer window looming, it remains to be seen whether or not Spurs will look to solve any of their issues in the market, although the club are ready to spend money.

Just as they were in the summer, Tottenham are determined to look for players who would be signed to make an impact in the team and not just bolster the squad or add another option in the rotation.