There was an extraordinary moment just before kick-off here when Thomas Frank strode 20 yards on to the pitch and applauded all four corners of the stadium. The Tottenham head coach was applauded back by the Brentford fans because he will always be a hero to them. His work over a near seven-year period as their manager has seen to that.
But what of the followers in his new gig? It is safe to say the jury remains out after this driest of January performances, one that had the supporters in the away enclosure adapting a barb they have historically reserved for their rivals, Arsenal. “Boring, boring Tottenham,” they chorused in the 85th minute.
Frank’s problem over the first half of this Premier League season has the dearth of creativity in too many games and it was the case again here. In the final analysis, what could Spurs point to? A first-half header from Archie Gray and a weak Richarlison shot at the very end which was never going to trouble the scorers.
Brentford shaded it. They were the more forceful, proactive team – certainly in the second half, this point feeling like a bad one, and the boos from the Spurs fans on the final whistle told their own story. Again.
Frank will always cherish what he achieved at Brentford – the promotion from the Championship; the manner in which he established the club in mid-table Premier League respectability; how his team repeatedly outperformed their budgets. He could be glimpsed on one of the big-screen montages prior to kick-off and he got the warm welcome back from the home crowd which had been expected.
