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By Yann Tear

Frank determined to keep Brentford players focused on the moment as promised land looms


Thomas Frank says his players will not look too far ahead in the coming days as the Championship campaign reaches a thrilling climax.

Wednesday tea-time's 1-0 win over Preston – courtesy of another Ollie Watkins strike - made it eight wins in a row for Brentford, who are now just a single point behind West Brom with two to play.

They need Albion to slip up in one of their final two matches to have a chance of claiming second spot but have the added distraction of the emotion surrounding a potential last ever fixture at Griffin Park next Wednesday against Barnsley – should the play-offs not be required.

But Frank says his players will stay in the moment and look no further than trying to make it nine wins in a row in their final away match of the regular season at the weekend against Stoke City.

"We are in the play-offs, so why not give it a go for direct promotion? But we can only focus on ourselves. That’s what we have done the whole time.

“It’s important that we celebrate every win and we are on a high, but I am not thinking at all about the game after Saturday and seeing if we can win nine in a row.”

The Bees set a new club record in making it eight wins in a row and Frank said his team could be very proud of the achievement.

"We have won eight on the bounce playing some top football and it is eight well-deserved wins.

"In a league which we call the most even league in the world, that is remarkable. But it’s a good night’s sleep and then we prepare for Stoke.”

Praising his match winner Ollie Watkins, who netted for the 25th time this season, Frank said: “I can’t praise Ollie enough. He’s such a dedicated individual.

“He just wants to learn and get better every single day. It’s a privilege to work with him. Everything you try to teach him he takes it in.

“One big thing we needed to work on with him was his position in the box on crosses, but besides that, his link-up play, his duels in the air, his work ethic, he’s a beast.”

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