Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is dividing opinion among the Lilywhites fanbase so far, despite what's been a solid start on paper, but the Dane is continuing his plans to slowly transform Spurs into a winning team.
Tottenham get out of jail in Champions League draw against Bodo/Glimt
Spurs were far from their best in Norway on Tuesday evening as Frank's side snatched another draw against the run of play.
Bodo/Glimt dominated the ball with quick, sharp interplay and made life extremely difficult for the travelling Londoners, during what was a cold, dark and challenging night in the Arctic Circle.
A brace from Jens Hauge briefly handed the plucky home side a deserved 2-0 lead before Spurs' star defender Micky van de Ven grabbed a goal back just two minutes later, with an own goal from Jostein Gundersen later stealing all three points from Bodo/Glimt.
The 2-2 draw was Tottenham's third comeback of the campaign after their trip to Brighton on September 20, which ended by the same scoreline, and their dramatic 1-1 at home to Wolves last weekend.
The Lilywhites largely failed to convince with their overall display against last season's Europa League semi-final opponents, but there is a case to be made that all the best sides in football are able to come away with results despite not playing to their full potential.
Frank's side have displayed a real grit and resilience which was largely absent from Ange Postecoglou's final season in charge, and a few of the tactician's players hit impressive milestones against Bodo/Glimt.
Since the start of 2023/2024, no other Premier League defender has assisted more goals in all competitions than right-back Pedro Porro, with van de Ven also attracting high praise from Frank after his contribution.
Speaking after the game, Frank said that van de Ven has been promoted to the leadership group after being very impressed by the Netherlands international so far.
"I have made a decision. I haven't told the players yet, that will be on Thursday," Frank said.
"I’ve made the decision, but it's probably pretty obvious he will be (in the leadership group). He has impressed me a lot as a player, but also as a communicator on the pitch. And a little bit of show of character, I think he was good today.”
Van de Ven and Cristian Romero are two crucial cogs in Frank's system, and despite signing Kevin Danso permanently in the summer, it is believed that Tottenham want to sign another back-up to the duo, as Radu Dragusin continues his slow comeback from an ACL injury.
Thomas Frank keen on signing Brentford defender Nathan Collins
As per journalist Graeme Bailey and TBR Football, Tottenham's manager is personally keen on a reunion with Brentford defender Nathan Collins at N17.
The 24-year-old has become Bees captain after emerging as a stalwart in his 85 appearances for the club, with a lot of them coming under Frank, and Collins is believed to be "very high" on Spurs' target list as they plan to sign a centre-half in January.
Tottenham apparently have a solid transfer budget for the winter window and Frank is a big fan of the Irishman as a potential mid-season signing, with Leeds United's defender Pascal Struijk also on their agenda as an alternative.
Collins' injury record last season was flawless — starting every single Premier League game under Frank and playing their most top flight minutes — all while averaging more blocks per 90 than any other Brentford player (WhoScored).
Frank has publicly praised Collins on numerous occasions too, and he, interestingly, once called him a "perfect" player in his Brentford set-up, so this could be one to watch.