Thomas Frank buys time with Tottenham win over Borussia Dortmund in Champions League

It was clear many fans had turned on Frank during the defeat by the Hammers, with large numbers singing “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at him.

That feeling remained evident before Tuesday’s match.

“I really do think 99% of this stadium are Frank out,” said Spurs supporter Sarah Sturgeon-Scraggs, who has been attending home games with her dad Ronnie since she was nine.

“I have enjoyed coming to the matches because of the people we sit with and I get to spend time with my dad, but we get so little joy.”

Ronnie added: “Barring some sort of miracle on player support, style and results instantly the fans have abandoned him and I feel personally that he must go.”

This win and the much-improved first-half performance was still not enough to change their view, with a return to a more conservative and unadventurous display in the second half a cause for frustration.

“The first half was really enjoyable,” said Sarah. “There was a lot more movement, a lot more forward passing and a press. However, the second-half performance shows why Frank is not the right person to be managing this team. We went to five at the back, the game ground to a halt. It sucked the joy out of it yet again.

“I am still Frank out.”

Fellow Spurs supporter Ali Speechly held a similar view before kick-off.

“If we could see signs of what he is trying to achieve we might have more patience,” she said.

“It looks like a bunch of players doing what they want.”

Any change of heart after the game?

“Much better first half, where has that been? But second half we were dead again,” she said. “They either play a good first half or second half. It feels Thomas Frank can’t string the two together.”

Some, however, did see enough to believe Frank can build on this.

Alfie said before the match that Tottenham were playing “like a Championship team”, but after he said: “The first half was brilliant. The second half wasn’t great but we didn’t concede.

“But I am really happy with the result and I think Frank might have a lot more up his sleeve than we think.”