The Tottenham doctor has been treating sick teams this season, with Burnley hoping to treat his next patient.
Spurs have already rebuilt Bournemouth and West Ham this month.
The Cherries ended an 11-game winless run with a 3-2 home win, while the Hammers ended a 10-game winless run in the league with a last-gasp 2-1 win in north London.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie Carragher feels it’s only a matter of time before Tottenham part ways with Frank
However, Burnley’s condition has worsened, with the Clarets facing relegation and now without a win in 13 league games.
Spurs offered a solace to the strugglers, who were only promoted last season, as Ipswich ended a 10-game winless return to the top flight in November 2024. A month earlier, Crystal Palace had also been healed by Spurs after an eight-game winless start to the league.
Spurs manager Thomas Frank, under pressure, knows Tottenham’s doctor’s surgery at Turf Moor on Saturday will not be possible in what would be a surprise defeat for the Danes.
Tuesday’s much-needed 2-0 home win against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League took some of the pressure off Frank.
“He silenced a few people for a few days,” former Spurs captain Michael Dawson said on Soccer Special.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Michael Dawson believes Frank silenced a few critics with win over Dortmund
“It was a very good performance (against Dortmund), but we have to move on to the next game.
“It’s a bit different, but Burnley away from home is now a much bigger kettle of fish.”
Indeed, it is for Frank.
The pressure will reach a new level if they lose to second-placed Burnley this weekend. If the result is unfavorable for Spurs, they could even drop seven points up the table to 16th place, which could mean a nightmare February.
Next month’s four games will see them face top eight sides, with hosts Manchester City, Newcastle and north London rivals Arsenal at home, as well as a trip to Manchester United.
What makes this result even more troubling is Tottenham’s worst run of form in the Premier League.
They have won just two of their last 13 league games, with only Burnley, Wolves and Bournemouth having won fewer games since the start of November.
Spurs have also lost 31 league games since the start of last season, with only bottom-placed Wolves (36 games) losing more in that time.
“Dortmund’s win was an encouraging performance”
But if Saturday’s game at Turf Moor is adorned with Champions League branding, Tottenham will have real confidence that they can get the job done.
Frank’s side have been one of the strongest in Europe this season, with midweek’s victory over Dortmund lifting them into fifth place in the Champions League table and giving them a strong chance of automatically qualifying for the last 16.
Frank needs to translate this European form domestically.
Of the 18 Spurs managers who have managed at least 22 games in the Premier League, only Juande Ramos and Ossie Ardiles have a lower winning percentage than Frank (31.8 per cent).
Last weekend’s loss to West Ham meant they had just seven wins from 22 league games.
Former Spurs midfielder Tim Sherwood told Sky Sports News: “I thought it would be very difficult for him to keep his job after that result.”
“I think it was an encouraging performance against Dortmund. There was a lot of pressure in that game and they did very well.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Tim Sherwood has discussed whether to take up the role of interim head coach at Tottenham after Jamie O’Hara suggested he should do so if Frank is sacked
“I thought they played an attacking style of football. They have done well in the Champions League, but they need to improve their performance even more in the Premier League.”
“They have an important game away against Burnley.
“Certainly (a loss) would increase the pressure. The away game against Burnley will be difficult for Tottenham, but they should win that game.”
“But they should have beaten Bournemouth. They should have beaten West Ham. They should have beaten Fulham at home (they lost 2-1 in November).”
“So they’re not playing any style and unfortunately they’re not getting results.”
This style is one that upset many Spurs fans.
Tottenham have taken just 235 shots in the Premier League this season, with only five teams having fewer. Meanwhile, Spurs’ average of 10.7 shots per game is their lowest in a single season since the 1997/98 season.
But Frank will be hoping the “magic” of Tuesday’s win over Dortmund, in which he had 16 shots, will be the catalyst for a major improvement in his goal threat.
Frank ‘cursed’ by long injury list
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports News’ David Reid analyzes Tottenham’s injury problems under Thomas Frank
Frank has had some bad luck with injuries in an effort to make Spurs more attack-minded, with midfielder Lukas Bergvall the most recent player to be sidelined.
Frank said in his pre-game press conference that he felt “cursed” as Spurs have lost the most days due to injury or illness this season, while currently missing a league-high nine players.
Frank has been without an impact pair all season in James Madison and Dejan Kulusevski, players who would have made a real impact in getting the team more attention.
However, the latest injury boost for Frank is the return of Dominic Solanke.
He scored his first goal of the season in his first start and his return from a five-month break was key to Dortmund’s win on Tuesday.
Solanke’s presence up front saw Xavi Simons put in a man-of-the-match performance and the Dutchman seal the victory.
The pair will need to be sacked again on Saturday for Frank to further relieve pressure and take another step towards turning things around.
