Sat Oct 04 08:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the text you provided:
**Summary:**
Tottenham Hotspur, under new head coach Thomas Frank, is experiencing a concerning trend: a tendency to lose matches immediately before international breaks. This pattern, dating back to the previous manager Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, involves a string of defeats despite some good performances in other games. The Athletic has analyzed this phenomenon, noting seven such losses and exploring potential reasons, which include weakened squads due to injuries or fatigue and potentially psychological factors linked to the upcoming break. While Frank acknowledges the oddity and is determined to break the cycle, the persistent nature of this pre-international break slump raises questions about team performance and mental fortitude.
**News Article:**
**Tottenham Hotspur Faces Pre-International Break Jinx Under Thomas Frank**
**London, UK** – Tottenham Hotspur’s promising season under new head coach Thomas Frank is facing its first major test: a persistent and perplexing trend of losing matches immediately before international breaks. Following three consecutive draws in the Premier League and Champions League, concerns are mounting about the team’s ability to maintain consistency.
An analysis by The Athletic has revealed a striking pattern: Tottenham has lost seven consecutive matches preceding international breaks, a streak that began in November 2023 under former manager Ange Postecoglou. These defeats, including losses against teams like Wolves, Fulham, and even a shock defeat to Ipswich Town, have often come despite relatively strong lineups and promising form in preceding games.
The timing of these losses is particularly troubling. As noted in the original article by Elias Burke of the Athletic, key games against mid-table sides have ended in a loss, disrupting the team’s momentum and potentially impacting their standings in both domestic and European competitions.
While the reasons for this “jinx” remain unclear, possible contributing factors include player fatigue, a subconscious drop in focus ahead of international duty, and the disruption of team cohesion caused by players preparing to represent their countries. Injuries to key players have also played a role.
Frank acknowledged the issue in a recent press conference, stating, “I really, really do hope we win tomorrow, so we don’t need to speak too much about it in the future.” He added, “It’s like a weird thing…With these stats, it’s up to us to treat it like a game where we are extremely focused, we are aware of the game plan. We show fantastic mentality, and we do what we can to win the game.”
Tottenham faces Leeds United this Saturday in a crucial match before the upcoming international break. A victory would not only alleviate immediate concerns but also send a strong message that Frank can break this unsettling pattern and steer Spurs towards their ambitions for the season. Failure to do so will only fuel speculation and increase the pressure on the new manager to address this puzzling pre-international break curse.
First Piper 