The Hoddle of Coffee: Spurs news, updates and key links for Thursday, January 8
Meanwhile, the supporters are no longer quietly enduring the decline. Away fans, in particular, have made their dissatisfaction impossible to ignore, turning stadiums hostile and sending a clear message about their disapproval of both performances and the wider direction of the club. With tensions rising on and off the pitch, it’s worth breaking down what, if anything, is moving in the right direction and what continues to spiral.
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Mathys Tel
For weeks, Mathys Tel existed on the fringes a player spoken about in theory rather than trusted in practice. That finally changed when Thomas Frank handed him consecutive starts, signalling a rare show of confidence. Tel responded exactly as a young forward should, scoring against Bournemouth on Wednesday and injecting energy into an otherwise flat attack.
While the goal itself grabbed headlines, the broader context matters more. This was only his third goal of the season and his third since November, but those numbers are misleading when you consider how limited his minutes have been. Until these recent appearances, Tel was never given the runway to build rhythm or confidence. Now, with sustained involvement, he’s beginning to justify the excitement around his profile direct, fearless and willing to take responsibility when others are shrinking.
Tottenham’s loan ecosystem
There has been a notable shift in how Spurs are managing their loan players, with movement suggesting a reassessment of development strategies rather than passive neglect.
- Yang Min-Hyeok’s move from Portsmouth to Coventry offers a more competitive environment and a better platform for growth.
- Alfie Dorrington’s recall from Aberdeen hints at either a reassessment of his readiness or plans for reintegration elsewhere.
- Jamie Donley’s switch to Oxford United could finally give him consistent minutes something he struggled to secure at Stoke.
- George Abbott being recalled from Wycombe adds to the sense that Spurs are actively reshuffling their young assets rather than letting situations stagnate.
Individually, none of these moves are headline-grabbing, but collectively they suggest the club is at least attempting to correct course in how it handles its emerging talent.
Ben Davies
In a season starved of reliability and leadership, Ben Davies unexpectedly provided both. His start against Sunderland was rare enough; his goal made it almost surreal. Davies has spent much of the campaign watching from the sidelines, but when called upon, he delivered a moment of calm competence something Spurs have been crying out for.
Beyond the goal, his performance was a reminder of the value of experience during turbulent times. While he may not be part of any long-term rebuild, his presence offered a brief glimpse of stability in an otherwise chaotic season.
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Thomas Frank
The pressure on Thomas Frank is no longer speculative it’s intensifying. Already under fire in the previous edition, his standing has weakened further following another sequence of poor results and questionable decisions. Tactical clarity has been sorely lacking, and explanations have done little to reassure an increasingly sceptical fanbase.
One particularly baffling moment was his attempt to draw a direct comparison between Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert, a like-for-like assessment that left many scratching their heads. It felt less like insight and more like deflection, adding to the perception of a manager struggling to assert a clear vision.
As if that wasn’t damaging enough, the midweek incident involving Frank drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup became a lightning rod for fan anger. While trivial in isolation, context matters and at a club already drowning in frustration, it was an unforced error that symbolised a broader disconnect from Spurs culture and sentiment.
The mood, the noise, the fracture
Perhaps the most alarming trend isn’t tactical or personnel-based it’s emotional. The atmosphere around Tottenham has grown openly hostile. Boos now echo more frequently than “Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur” at full time, a damning reflection of supporter sentiment.
Post-match scenes only deepened the concern. Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro and Palhinha confronting away fans after the final whistle highlighted how raw emotions have become on both sides. When players feel compelled to engage directly with supporters, it’s rarely a sign of harmony.
Then came Cristian Romero’s Instagram post a pointed message widely interpreted as criticism of the club’s hierarchy in N17. The fact that it was liked by Richarlison and Pedro Porro only amplified its significance, suggesting internal dissatisfaction isn’t limited to one voice. Whether intentional or not, it painted a picture of a dressing room increasingly at odds with the people above it.
Right now, everything surrounding Spurs feels fragile. Confidence is low, unity is fractured, and the line between on-field struggles and off-field turmoil has all but disappeared. The situation isn’t just poor it feels volatile.
