Joao Palhinha takes pressure off Thomas Frank with his latest Tottenham comments

Joao Palhinha has reflected on Tottenham’s contrasting form this season, addressing the pressure on Thomas Frank before offering a telling reaction when asked about Spurs Champions League ambitions.

It does feel like an all too familiar story for Tottenham Hotspur as, once again, just like last term, they look formidable in Europe and very stoppable in the Premier League.

Spurs secured automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night, January 28, also banking a windfall of roughly £43 million.

However, in the Premier League, they run the risk of being dragged into a relegation scrap, with just eight points separating them from the drop zone.

That poor league form has increased pressure on Spurs boss Thomas Frank, whose domestic results do not mirror his European record, with Tottenham managing just two wins from their last 14 league games.

Joao Palhinha addresses Tottenham’s Champions League form and Premier League struggles

Speaking to football.london, Joao Palhinha discussed the pressure surrounding Frank and stressed that the responsibility for Tottenham’s domestic struggles must lie with the players if results are to improve.

On the need to translate European performances into league form, the Portugal international said: “That is the Tottenham we all wish for, to beat top teams.

“We need to take this victory and this important qualification to give a big jump in everything that has passed in the last couple of months and start a new phase, hopefully.”

Palhinha then expanded on where he believes accountability sits within the squad, adding: “It is a lot of things. Of course the injuries do not help the team, but the responsibility is mainly with the players, in my opinion, because we should do much better in some key moments.

“We conceded some goals we should not concede in important games. Since Brentford, we lost some important points that for me would have put us in a different position in the table right now.

“But it is football. The main thing is to try to, with this game and this qualification, make something different from right now.

“Do not think too much about the past, but look more to the future and what we want to do. We have top players and top staff as well. We all want to change the momentum in the Premier League.”

Palhinha on Thomas Frank pressure and Champions League expectations

Palhinha, who is on loan from Bayern Munich, also spoke about the scrutiny Frank has faced, acknowledging the realities of management at a club of Tottenham’s stature.

Discussing the pressure on the head coach, he said: “We are all with our hands together. The responsibility is not with the coach, although of course the coach will receive all the responsibility because of results.

“We know how it is in football. Sometimes it is not easy to be a coach, but the responsibility is also with the players and some things need to improve. The main thing is we recognise where we need to be better and, as a top club, this pressure will come and we knew that.”

When asked about whether Spurs could go all the way in the Champions League, Palhinha reacted cautiously, laughing before addressing expectations.

On Tottenham’s prospects, he added: “It is not about winning the Champions League. I think in life it needs to be with steps. I know what you want to hear from me.

“But the main thing is we did our qualification responsibly, with a lot of respect, and we deserve to complete this qualification. Now let us see who we find in the next round. The focus right now will be on the Premier League and then after we will look again at the Champions League.”

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