Thomas Frank has dismissed criticism from pundits as Tottenham bounced back from defeat to Chelsea with a 4-0 victory over Copenhagen in the Champions League.
Spurs were beaten 1-0 by the Blues on Saturday, with Frank and his team blasted for their blunt display on their home turf.
They were loudly booed by their own fans during the game and after the final whistle as they failed to create anything going forward and were comfortably dealt with by their London rivals.
Such was the gulf in quality that Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher compared Spurs’ performance to that of a League Two side taking on a top flight outfit in a cup competition.
‘A big problem for Thomas Frank and other managers who make that jump from one of the smaller teams to one of the big boys is actually bringing the football to these teams,’ Carragher told Sky Sports.
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‘When you watch the game at the weekend, and the home games that the supporters have seen, that was like watching a League Two game against a Premier League team in the FA Cup.
‘There was a huge contrast with the ball, and that is the biggest problem for any coach making the jump to one of the big boys.’
Tottenham put the disappointment of the weekend behind them on Tuesday night with goals from Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, a stunning effort from Micky van de Ven and a fourth from Joao Palinha.
Asked about Carragher’s words after the 4-0 win over the Danes, Frank said he hadn’t seen the comments but reminded pundits that his job is much more difficult than theirs.
‘I didn’t see his comments. So not too much to say to that,’ Frank told a post-match press conference. ‘The pundits are pundits. They need to say something about the games. I’ve been a pundit myself sometimes. Put it this way, I know it’s easier to be that than stand down there.
‘I saw a good performance today, which I’m happy with. We talk a lot about, how can you say that, bounce back mentality because in life and football there will be setbacks. Every team will experience that. And it’s how we react to that to come out after a bad game or a bad spell and come back to it. That’s part of a good team.
‘I’m very happy with the response the players came with today. I think we controlled the game from minute one to the end, more or less. There was, of course, a little bit about the red card and making the side that should not be a problem.
‘And then we won a very good win in the Champions League. And it’s never easy. I know Copenhagen hadn’t had a good start, but I just know they are, in general, very difficult to play against. And I’m pretty sure we’ll not see them lose 4-0 again in the Champions League.’
After the defeat to Chelsea, Van de Ven and Djed Spence walked past Frank, ignoring him as they left the pitch.
After the Dutch defender scored a stunning solo goal on Tuesday, Frank said the centre-back is welcome to blank him in future if he keeps producing magic moments like that.
‘It seems like we had Lionel Messi turned into Micky van de Ven, roaring down from his own goal all the way to the other end and scored a fantastic goal,’ said the manager.
‘I think he’s our top scorer in all competitions, so he can keep going. He can keep walking past me if he’s angry after a game!’