Thomas Frank “getting the job done” as Brentford edge closer to dream of miraculous European qualification

Photo: ©️ Capital Football

Brentford (2) 4 v Manchester United (1) 3

Premier League

Matchweek 35

Talking Points

By Kaz Mochlinski at the Brentford Community Stadium

If Brentford sustain their excellent end-of-season run and qualify to play in Europe, a significant contribution to the success will have come from one Thomas Frank team talk last month.

Before the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion over the Easter weekend, the Brentford head coach completely changed his long-established approach of focusing only on how his side play rather than on results.

Previously doing well but not quite securing the rewards they maybe merited, the Bees have subsequently turned a series of five games unbeaten into now three victories in succession.

They have climbed up into the top half of the table and are currently equalling their best Premier League finish so far, in ninth place, at seemingly the ideal time to hit good form, with just three matches left to play.

In order to achieve the step-up, Brentford’s always bright, eloquent and insightful Danish boss had to learn a new English phrase: ‘getting the job done’. As Frank himself relates:

“We spoke about it before the Brighton game that - I rarely say that to the players, it’s more about performance - but this game we need to win. We want to win this if we want to be in any, any chance of maybe having a dream about Europe.

“And the players did that. And big credit to them. And then now we played two games: difficult away game to Nottingham - beat them; home to Man United - beat them. And all three games well deserved.

“Not just in those three games, I think we have a run of 10-12 games where we’re in a really good rhythm, and flow, and we look solid and strong and confident. So, we’ve got this momentum. Hopefully we can keep it up.

“It’s again all about getting the, how can I say, the job done. And it’s one at a time. We had a laser, laser, laser focus throughout four seasons on the next game. And it’s all about the next game now.”

Brentford will take a great deal of self-belief forward from their four-goal battering of Manchester United, who were hugely flattered by the scoreline after grabbing two late consolation strikes to avoid being entirely embarrassed.

Photo: ©️ Capital Football

Yoane Wissa scored in a fourth consecutive Premier League match for the first time in his career, drawing him level with Bryan Mbeumo on 18 goals as the leading attacking partnership in the competition this season.

Only Ivan Toney has ever got more goals in a Premier League campaign for Brentford, with 20 in 2022-23. But, as much as Wissa and Mbeumo have been brilliant in replacing him, the Bees also have a fine third forward.

Kevin Schade’s contribution was crucial against Manchester United, with his two goals, one in each half, taking him into double figures in the league this season, and earning plenty of praise from Frank.

“I think the club and the team are developing, and adding those extra layers constantly. And basically from the first year in the division we respect everyone but fear no one. We believe that we can win every game.

“We try to go for that win. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. But we really, really, really believe it, every single time. The players are fantastic. It’s been a fantastic group, or it is a fantastic group, to work with.

“Now we have three players that have scored 10 goals or more. 46 between the front three. It’s an unbelievable number of goals. And to have that in any club is incredible, but for us to have it is, I think, an even bigger achievement, if I’m being honest.

“And I think we’re the only club this year who managed to do that. So, I’m very proud - of the three players of course, of their teammates that are producing all the assists, and the staff that are pushing them.”

Brentford scoring four goals in two consecutive home games, defeating Brighton 4-2 and then Manchester United 4-3, is all the more memorable as they were scoreless in the previous couple of matches on their own pitch.

Indeed, the Bees had failed to find the net in four of their preceding five contests as the home team, during the nine-game winless spell at their own stadium in all competitions from December to April, including eight in the Premier League.

Throughout that difficult period there was not so much as a single poor performance in the league. And, when Brentford click, they can be superb, as in their last home win prior to the sorry sequence, overcoming Newcastle United 4-2.

Photo: ©️ Capital Football

Have the Bees been a bit fortunate in the opponents they have had to play in recent weeks? They extended Brighton’s series without a win in the top flight to five matches, and Manchester United’s to six.

In between the two legs of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club Bilbao, Manchester United fielded their youngest-ever starting XI for a Premier League game, with an average age of 22 years 270 days.

The Red Devils also gave a full debut to Chido Obi, who, aged 17 years 156 days, became the youngest player to make their line-up in a Premier League match. They did not impress, with their very belated rally coming way too late.

Brentford and Bilbao’s kits share the same classic colours, but it might be unfair to point out the vast difference in the two clubs’ results with United over the past week. Yet, as Frank emphasises, winning any such encounter can never be taken for granted.

“I think overall a very good performance. I think we were completely in control of the game from more or less minute one. Even after a minor setback with their goal, where I think we conceded, I can say, a goal that was a little bit unlike us the last 10-12 games.

“First a little bit of a mistake, then another mistake, then didn’t defend well enough. But anyway, on top, pressed aggressively, winning the ball back a lot of times, half-transitions, bigger transitions.

“But also, when we were up there, we produced a lot of crosses, playing round on the side. And two of the goals are fantastic. Kevin Schade’s two headers are very good. Plus a set-piece. And then the fourth goal was maybe the best of them.

“So, very happy with the performance overall. A clearly and well-deserved win. That’s never easy in the Premier League. And especially to do it against Man United, which is a massive club. Even if, yes, we know they have struggled a little bit.

“But generally very happy with that of course. Few bits at the end I would like to have avoided. But we’ll look into that.”

Brentford now have one home match remaining. And it will be a visit from their nearest neighbours, Fulham, on which European qualification could well hinge. What a way to potentially seal the Bees’ remarkable rise.