Thomas Frank

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Thomas Frank

ChertseyBee said:
Twice in the Premier League he's tactically outwitted the home manager at Goodison Park. In the first season, when Everton had a player sent off before HT, he switched the formation to 5-3-2 and whilst Frank Lampard stood looking g stunned, we came from behind to win 3-2. Yesterday, he flummoxed Sean Dyche and made sure we got the point.

Mind you, Dyche and Lampard between them probably wouldn't have had the tactical nous to respond!!
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I swear we ended up playing 2-3-5 in that game!
 

Thomas Frank

Throwing Thiago and Schade 2 forwards on for Dams and Wissa 1 forward and 1 midfielder was a brave move that won us a point.

At Fulham Thomas went for Mee to secure the win, yesterday he kept brave and the switch in the last 18 minutes when 10 v 11 gave us the outlet required to mix it up.
 

Thomas Frank

'Delight and mutual admiration' between players, fans and Frank.​

12:31 26 November​


Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Brentford fan's voice banner

Thomas Frank applauds fans
Image source,Getty Images
Maybe Brentford should play every away game with 10 men!

The Bees finally picked up their first point on the road this season at Everton on Saturday, despite the harsh dismissal of Christian Norgaard just before half-time.

And we also kept our first Premier League clean sheet in 14 games since a goalless draw with Fulham at the back end of last season.

Norgaard appeared to be going for the ball in the six-yard box, as he was entitled to do, but hurt Jordan Pickford in the process.

Most Bees fans were not even watching the England goalkeeper receiving treatment before realising that referee Chris Kavanagh had run over to the VAR screen, and there was astonishment in the away end when the red card was shown. Brentford could well appeal against the decision.

The point was earned by a superb display by goalkeeper Mark Flekken and some solid defending by the back four, still playing without recognised full-backs, including a brilliant last-gasp block by Ethan Pinnock.

There was delight and mutual admiration between the players, manager Thomas Frank and the noisy travelling contingent at full-time.

It was also a big day for summer signing Igor Thiago, who finally made his competitive debut as a 72nd-minute substitute.

The Brazilian, signed for a club record fee to replace Ivan Toney, got injured after playing 45 minutes of our first pre-season friendly, and had a good cameo appearance.

He held the ball up and also drew a key foul, both things we have been missing.

Thiago also seemed to have an instant two-way rapport with the fans and his return to fitness gives Frank more options ahead of a busy December.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast
 

Thomas Frank

I think he has a big 12-18 months coming up as I think we are at a point in the cycle where established players of the last 5 or more years from Championship team will start to leave and younger players start to bed in. Its pretty obvious Mbeumo will be off winter or summer window. Norgaard and Jensen have both been the main stay of the midfield for a number of years and 1 or both will likely be off back to Denmark. Mee will likely retire.
So the challenge for TF is bedding in the younger players Carvalho, Yarmo, Konak, Thiago, and I'd even include Schade and KLP while still getting results and the club staying safe. Already we have seen Collins has established himself and VDB looks like on that trajectory too.
I have no doubt that TF is the man to turn the wheel into another chapter. I think City also are showing this season the problems of having a team grow old together with so many over 30 and a downwards trajctory and they face a rebuilding too.
 

Thomas Frank

Leonardo said:
I think he has a big 12-18 months coming up as I think we are at a point in the cycle where established players of the last 5 or more years from Championship team will start to leave and younger players start to bed in. Its pretty obvious Mbeumo will be off winter or summer window. Norgaard and Jensen have both been the main stay of the midfield for a number of years and 1 or both will likely be off back to Denmark. Mee will likely retire.
So the challenge for TF is bedding in the younger players Carvalho, Yarmo, Konak, Thiago, and I'd even include Schade and KLP while still getting results and the club staying safe. Already we have seen Collins has established himself and VDB looks like on that trajectory too.
I have no doubt that TF is the man to turn the wheel into another chapter. I think City also are showing this season the problems of having a team grow old together with so many over 30 and a downwards trajctory and they face a rebuilding too.
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You are not the only person that thinks that that C.N and M.J will be leaving soon. Have I missed something :confused: :pop:
 

Thomas Frank

ianbee said:
They are 30 and 28. Just youngsters to me. You do not just get rid of that sort of experience.
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Who was the first player to walk over to Sepp, reassure him and offer encouragement after his mistake that led to Evanilson's goal?

Jensen's still got a lot of miles left in our colours and his experience and leadership abilities will be needed as we seek to augment the tranche of younger players moving forward.

Plus he's probably the most technical and creative passer from deeper positions in our team......we've haven't seen enough (PL) evidence from the newbies to warrant that same evaluation.
 

Thomas Frank

TheHairdresser said:
Who was the first player to walk over to Sepp, reassure him and offer encouragement after his mistake that led to Evanilson's goal?

Jensen's still got a lot of miles left in our colours and his experience and leadership abilities will be needed as we seek to augment the tranche of younger players moving forward.

Plus he's probably the most technical and creative passer from deeper positions in our team......we've haven't seen enough (PL) evidence from the newbies to warrant that same evaluation.
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Norgaard is TF's captain and Jensen is at his peak,i expect he values them both highly.

If 30 and 28 respectively is too old in some peoples eyes then why some are clamouring to buy an almost 33 yr old Erkisen is beyond me.
 

Thomas Frank

Freebee said:
Norgaard is TF's captain and Jensen is at his peak,i expect he values them both highly.

If 30 and 28 respectively is too old in some peoples eyes then why some are clamouring to buy an almost 33 yr old Erkisen is beyond me.
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Our current squad average age is 24.7 years, so having players with the experience, and crucially knowledge, of the club and culture is key. They'll be able to help TF in getting his vision across.
 

Thomas Frank

JosephBFC said:
Don’t think any of us were expecting Schade to start. Bold move to drop Vitaly. 3 goals and an assist, what a masterstroke from TF
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HerefordB said:
Masterful team selection. I'll bet not many would have stated Kevin today...
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Agree. Thought his use of subs were spot on noting we have 3 games in a week, taking off Norgaard (who I have been critical off but thought was good today) and Damsgaard on the 70 minute mark. Our bench looked really strong today with good options to change the game if need be.
 

Thomas Frank

finsbury_bee said:
Gone from the ridiculous with all last season's injuries to the sublime. He's going to be able to pick a front three out of Mbeumo, Wissa, Thiago, Schade, Nunes, KLP and Carvalho. JDS apparently back before the end of the season too.
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Klp as a full left back was genius, I wouldn't have been brave enough to try it. Being able to have an attacking unit of KLP, Wissa, Schade and Mbeumo with Damsgaard creating behind them is just so much firepower.

Our Portuguese speaking newcomers may have to wait their turn for a while now. Their dads will just have to deal with it.
 

Thomas Frank

At times today it was more like two inverted wing backs in Mbeumo and KLP. 3 at the back in possession. Very flexible all over
 

Thomas Frank

Bumbling fool said:
Klp as a full left back was genius, I wouldn't have been brave enough to try it. Being able to have an attacking unit of KLP, Wissa, Schade and Mbeumo with Damsgaard creating behind them is just so much firepower.

Our Portuguese speaking newcomers may have to wait their turn for a while now. Their dads will just have to deal with it.
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It will be interesting to see if TF sticks with KLP against better opposition. He hardly had to do any defensive work today. If he copes well, then I can see him switching to RB when Rico's fit. He should be even better on that side. Though VDB is doing well there at the moment.
 

Thomas Frank

finsbury_bee said:
It will be interesting to see if TF sticks with KLP against better opposition. He hardly had to do any defensive work today. If he copes well, then I can see him switching to RB when Rico's fit. He should be even better on that side. Though VDB is doing well there at the moment.
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At the moment, there’s no other option – he wipes the floor with anyone else who’s been tried in the left back position. When Rico is fully fit, then Thomas has decisions to make… but to make this season successful we’re going to need players to put in extraordinary performances and I think he’s capable of that.
 

Thomas Frank

jlove said:
At the moment, there’s no other option – he wipes the floor with anyone else who’s been tried in the left back position. When Rico is fully fit, then Thomas has decisions to make… but to make this season successful we’re going to need players to put in extraordinary performances and I think he’s capable of that.
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I thought Ajer did a decent job against tougher opponents at LB. From TF’s post-match comments he played KLP as another forward with the 5 on the pitch all doing defensive duties too. Leicester doubled up on Bryan so they didn’t have the bodies to put much of a defensive load on KLP.
 

Thomas Frank

AB said:
I thought Ajer did a decent job against tougher opponents at LB. From TF’s post-match comments he played KLP as another forward with the 5 on the pitch all doing defensive duties too. Leicester doubled up on Bryan so they didn’t have the bodies to put much of a defensive load on KLP.
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Keane’s doing more than a decent job, though!
 

Thomas Frank

AB said:
I thought Ajer did a decent job against tougher opponents at LB. From TF’s post-match comments he played KLP as another forward with the 5 on the pitch all doing defensive duties too. Leicester doubled up on Bryan so they didn’t have the bodies to put much of a defensive load on KLP.
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At various times Sepp ventured forward into the space created by Bryan hugging the touchline, and didn’t look out of place supporting the attack.
 
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Thomas Frank

Not his finest hour yesterday. I would love to know what the plan was for the midfield. When you are facing Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, who are so adept at picking the ball up deep and driving at the back four, leaving that space vacant when you attack doesn't seem like a great idea, especially when your most defensive midfielder is not very mobile.

I'm not sure about this repeated line about us having played okay away from home except in the Fulham game either. Apart from the first 30 minutes against Man City, and excluding Everton which by necessity turned into a rearguard action, have we really been any good in any of those games or looked like winning at any point?
 

Thomas Frank

jbee said:
Not his finest hour yesterday. I would love to know what the plan was for the midfield. When you are facing Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, who are so adept at picking the ball up deep and driving at the back four, leaving that space vacant when you attack doesn't seem like a great idea, especially when your most defensive midfielder is not very mobile.

I'm not sure about this repeated line about us having played okay away from home except in the Fulham game either. Apart from the first 30 minutes against Man City, and excluding Everton which by necessity turned into a rearguard action, have we really been any good in any of those games or looked like winning at any point?
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I think we generally need a different plan away from home. Maybe four in midfield, with two shielding back four? I was astonished at the acres of space we allowed Villa's creative players in the 20-30 yards outside our penalty area. Villa had 20 shots on goal yesterday and we could have easily conceded more than three. Play like that at Chelsea and Brighton and we'll concede a hatfull.
 

Thomas Frank

cliffbee said:
I think we generally need a different plan away from home. Maybe four in midfield, with two shielding back four? I was astonished at the acres of space we allowed Villa's creative players in the 20-30 yards outside our penalty area. Villa had 20 shots on goal yesterday and we could have easily conceded more than three. Play like that at Chelsea and Brighton and we'll concede a hatfull.
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The fewest shots we have conceded away from home this season is 18 vs Man City. For our part we are yet to break double figures.
 

Thomas Frank

jbee said:
Not his finest hour yesterday. I would love to know what the plan was for the midfield. When you are facing Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, who are so adept at picking the ball up deep and driving at the back four, leaving that space vacant when you attack doesn't seem like a great idea, especially when your most defensive midfielder is not very mobile.

I'm not sure about this repeated line about us having played okay away from home except in the Fulham game either. Apart from the first 30 minutes against Man City, and excluding Everton which by necessity turned into a rearguard action, have we really been any good in any of those games or looked like winning at any point?
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So how would you have lined up the team?
 

Thomas Frank

ChertseyBee said:
So how would you have lined up the team?
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Exactly, damned if he does or doesn't. My only thought would be if he went 532 after learning Jensen and Norgaard were out, but the team would have practically been the same but with Roerslev in for Schade, which doesn't seem quite right after a hatrick does it? I think he was hoping for better yesterday and there's no way he asked YY and Janelt to press exactly the same players and leave one or two free.
 

Thomas Frank

upnorthbee said:
Exactly, damned if he does or doesn't. My only thought would be if he went 532 after learning Jensen and Norgaard were out, but the team would have practically been the same but with Roerslev in for Schade, which doesn't seem quite right after a hatrick does it? I think he was hoping for better yesterday and there's no way he asked YY and Janelt to press exactly the same players and leave one or two free.
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Even going 5-3-2 would not’ve removed what was the fundamental problem – central midfield being open and inviting to runners through the middle. Bringing Damsgaard back into the central midfield would’ve given us a ball-winner there but that would’ve left us with no connection in attack.
 

Thomas Frank

Includes a video from yesterday’s press conference

www.brentfordfc.com

Frank 'hopeful' on Brentford duo - Brentford FC

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank provides an update on Christian Nørgaard and Kristoffer Ajer ahead of the Bees’ Premier League game against Newcastle United; Nørgaard missed the midweek trip to Aston Villa, while Ajer has been absent since October due to a foot injury
www.brentfordfc.com www.brentfordfc.com
 

Thomas Frank

Leonardo said:
I think he has a big 12-18 months coming up as I think we are at a point in the cycle where established players of the last 5 or more years from Championship team will start to leave and younger players start to bed in. Its pretty obvious Mbeumo will be off winter or summer window. Norgaard and Jensen have both been the main stay of the midfield for a number of years and 1 or both will likely be off back to Denmark. Mee will likely retire.
So the challenge for TF is bedding in the younger players Carvalho, Yarmo, Konak, Thiago, and I'd even include Schade and KLP while still getting results and the club staying safe. Already we have seen Collins has established himself and VDB looks like on that trajectory too.
I have no doubt that TF is the man to turn the wheel into another chapter. I think City also are showing this season the problems of having a team grow old together with so many over 30 and a downwards trajctory and they face a rebuilding too.
Click to expand...

I would fully expect to see Thiago, Wissa, Shade/KLP next season as the front 3,
Potter has been exceptional at left back but after R9co's return I would expect him to take that place back.

I am amazed CN has been here 6 seasons, I really thought a top 6 would have taken him in his prime 2 years ago and the sane for Jenson, but the fact CN can't seem to finish a full 90 means he may well see out the next few years of his contract here and not be sold.

I still think on top of the young players with potential we have a great stock of, we will see 1-2 marquee signins that are ready for first team (Marquee in terms of our level of signings Thiago/Cahvallo etc.)

It is a great time to be a Brentford fan, as much as I am still fuming over weds and I am out with a villa fan tonight, I am loving this.
 

Thomas Frank

mhead bee said:
It is a great time to be a Brentford fan, as much as I am still fuming over weds and I am out with a villa fan tonight, I am loving this
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Yes am with you on this. Not the best night Wednesday ... but a little while back it would have been 1-3 a few miles up the road at Walsall.
 

Thomas Frank

The amount of shots on our goal away from home is alarming. We can celebrate Flekkens improved performance but ultimately we’re giving him too much work to do.

Chalk and cheese compared to our early prem season away performances when the opposition found it hard to get in our box.

I know we always go for the win and that won’t change, but a couple of pragmatic draws away from home would see us 6th or 7th right now. We talk about performances being more important than results and 90% of our away performances this season have been poor to average. Tough ones coming up too.

Thankfully we’re back home tomorrow!!
 

Thomas Frank

I’ve just read above that Thomas said this in his interview with Lineker:
"The players are growing, a lot of the players here for a while have taken another step up. It is a very good team, I hope the fans are happy."
Well I can tell you, Thomas, that I for one am fekkin ecstatic with that result and performance today. Thank you to you and your staff and pour yourself an extra glass.
 
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