Danny Murphy column: ‘The Thomas Frank effect’ – but is there more to come from Spurs?

I don’t believe Tottenham’s​ current identity is set in stone because we saw how Brentford evolved under him over a number of seasons and he is only just getting started here.

When they first came into the Premier League, Brentford had a very direct style and were also quite obvious or predictable in what they did.

If you watched them last season, though, it was a totally different approach. They played out from the back through Christian Norgaard and although they could mix it up, they were not a one-trick pony.

This Tottenham team is going to evolve too, but first and foremost Frank has given them a solid base like he had early on at Brentford. For example, with the way their full-backs stay at home a little bit more, rather than flying up the pitch like they did under Ange Postecoglou.

We saw that on Sunday, where again Spurs got a bit of criticism for sitting back and inviting Everton on to them in the second half.

There were times when I was thinking to myself, ‘come on, get out of your half because you are putting yourself under pressure’, but you have to consider what had gone before that game.

Spurs had gone away from home in the Champions League on Wednesday and hung on for dear life for a draw against Monaco.