Real reason Why Thomas Frank was annoyed with Djed Spence in Man City vs Tottenham

Thomas Frank was full of praise for the way his Tottenham Hotspur side defended against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, but the Dane still found himself frustrated with one particular moment of decision-making from full-back Djed Spence in the first half.

 

Tottenham’s performance in Manchester was one that few visiting teams have managed to replicate in recent years. Not only did Spurs record a clean sheet against Pep Guardiola’s side, they also displayed a level of defensive discipline and control that is rarely seen at the Etihad. While City started brightly and dominated possession in the early stages, the game shifted after Brennan Johnson opened the scoring in the 35th minute. The Welsh winger’s goal settled Tottenham down, and from that point onwards, the visitors looked increasingly comfortable.

 

Just before half-time, Joao Palhinha added a second with his first goal for Spurs, capping off a superb opening 45 minutes and giving Frank’s men something solid to protect. The second half saw Tottenham continue with their compact, organised shape, successfully keeping City at a distance and frustrating their usual attacking rhythm.

 

What Annoyed Thomas Frank in the First Half

 

Despite the impressive display, Frank’s perfectionist nature meant that not every detail left him satisfied. According to journalist Alasdair Gold, the Spurs boss was visibly agitated on the touchline around the 20-minute mark when Djed Spence ignored one of the team’s key tactical instructions.

 

Instead of launching a long throw-in into the Manchester City penalty area—a strategy Frank has repeatedly referred to as a “weapon” in his tactical arsenal—Spence opted to take a quick, short throw. The timing was particularly unfortunate, as set-piece coach Andreas Georgson had been preparing to signal instructions to the defender. Frank’s reaction on the sideline was one of clear irritation, as he considers set-piece opportunities to be pivotal, especially against opponents of City’s calibre.

 

The Fine Margins That Matter to Frank

 

This incident highlights just how much importance Thomas Frank places on the smallest of details. His coaching philosophy is built around exploiting weaknesses in the opposition, and he has long been an advocate of using set-pieces as a leveller in matches where his side may not dominate open play.

 

We saw evidence of this approach recently against PSG, when Spurs caused problems from dead-ball situations, and Frank clearly wanted to carry that same strategy into the clash with Manchester City. Every throw-in, corner, or free-kick is an opportunity in his eyes, and failing to use them correctly can feel like a wasted chance.

 

While the mistake did not cost Tottenham on this occasion, it is almost certain that Frank and his staff will have spoken to Spence after the game, ensuring the defender understands the importance of following tactical instructions to the letter. At the highest level, such details can be the difference between winning and losing, and Frank has made it clear that he will not overlook them.

 

For Spence, the episode will serve as a learning moment. With Spurs showing such defensive resilience and newfound sharpness under their new manager, the margins for error are narrowing. Going forward, it would be no surprise if we see the full-back adopt Frank’s long-throw instruction every time the opportunity arises.