Spurs Boss Thomas Frank Calls Vicario Critics 'Not True Genuine Fans'

Tottenham Hotspur fans who booed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario were informed later "those individuals can't be real Tottenham fans" by manager Thomas Frank.

Tottenham let in two goals in the first initial moments to lose 2-1 to their opponents, marking their 10th top-flight at home loss of the year.

However the main topic of discussion was the visitors' second score when Vicario gave away the ball well outside his area.

He came out to deal with a high pass and carried the ball near the touchline.

However, instead of kicking it into touch, the Italian turned and tried to clear away, but lost his footing as the ball skimmed off Harry Wilson and was collected by Josh King.

King passed the ball off to Wales midfield player Harry Wilson, who curled a strike into the goal from the sideline measured at 36.6 yards.

Seconds later when the ball went to Vicario once more, a number of Tottenham fans booed him.

Spurs were jeered off at the interval, with the club 2-0 down, and again at the final whistle.

One of those booing episodes truly irritated the manager.

"I heard a few of our supporters reportedly jeered the incident and booed following, which, in my opinion is totally unjustifiable," the Dane stated regarding the supporters' reaction to his goalkeeper.

"Those individuals cannot be real Spurs fans that act that way. Fair enough jeering after the match, no problem, but when we are in play, we are backing one another, we are with each other going forward."

Kenny Tete had handed Fulham a early lead before Harry Wilson's strike – with Kudus scoring for Spurs in an improved second-half showing.

Former Premier League keeper Joe Hart stated that the second score was "completely preventable".

"I certainly understand the fans' frustration," the ex-keeper added. "I am aware the role Vicario is performing. He is a great team player, he's a real leader in the locker room but ultimately you are going to be judged by your actions.

"He was heavily involved in what ended up to be the decisive score."

'It is Part of Football, I'm a Big Man'

Italy national team Vicario is in his third season with Tottenham.

The 29-year-old stated after the game that he had to accept the criticism.

"The second score was a mistake of my own, I take responsibility for that," he said.

"My aim was to kick the ball far and I simply struck the ball in a bad manner. That made an more difficult mountain to overcome."

He stated receiving jeers "comes with football".

"I am mature, what can I say?" he added. "The team cannot be influenced by the situation in the crowd. The fans have the right to do as they see fit.

"It is on the team to remain more composed, to focus on our own performance. We are lacking in composure and calmness to reverse results. This match is a bad defeat and it is hard to accept."

'I Was Surprised No One Went Back to the Line'

In spite of the keeper's mistake, it was far from an easy score for Wilson to score.

Actually it was the second most distant Premier League goal of the season – following Adams' forty-three point three metre goal for the Cherries against the Black Cats, which incidentally too occurred on Saturday.

The goalscorer said he was "somewhat surprised" that he still had an open goal to target.

10 moments elapsed between the keeper coming out of his area and Wilson shooting – which was five seconds following the clearance.

"It seemed to me like the keeper was away from the box for a long time," Wilson said.

"I was surprised not one of the defenders went back to the line. When none of them covered the goal, my eyes lit up somewhat.

"Udogie slipped as well, which gave me a bit of extra opportunity. After that it was solely about trying to achieve the correct contact and place it towards goal. I felt a positive sense, the moment it left my boot, that it was heading in."

'When You're in a Poor Run, All Seems to Go Against You'

Although Vicario's error led coverage, this was an all-round bad performance for Spurs to continue their home ground woes.

The match was their 10th at home loss of the year in the league, a shared club statistic along with nineteen ninety-four and 2003.

The side still have home games against the manager's former club the Bees and champions the Reds to play prior to the end of the season.

Just a single of those victories have come after the manager took over from his predecessor in the off-season.

"If you are behind 2-0 after the opening, there is a mountain to climb," said the boss.

"During in a poor run, everything seems to go against you as well – the opening was a redirected attempt, the second is a mistake from the keeper.

"The outcome puts us in a position where we have suffered an additional match. Each fixture has a single story, today we were defeated in the first six minutes.

"We just need to continue striving. The second half was much better and hopefully an aspect we can utilize to develop."

Tottenham have lost 4 consecutive home capital clashes for the first time in the Premier League.

Furthermore they are recording nine point five shots and three point two shots on target per match in the Premier League – their poorest rates on record in a single season (dating back to 2003-04).

Ex- Cottagers midfielder Danny Murphy commented that the manager has to endure the criticism.

"He's got take the stick," Murphy said. "He's accepted a high profile job at a major football club with massive anticipation. There is scrutiny and duty that comes with that.

"Their showings at their stadium have been disappointing and they have to improve {quickly|