Brentford

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Thomas Frank spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brentford's defeat against Manchester City: "Standing here I am a combination of extremely disappointed we didn't get something out of this game but on the other hand very proud.

"The first 25 minutes was world class, we were better than Manchester City. Second half they were more on top and made it difficult. A point would have been fair and not often teams can come here and say that.

"You could say if we need to win here we needed to take more of the chances we had in the first half.

"I respect Pep Guardiola very much and a lot of the reasons I do is because he made tactical changes at half time and then he is not too proud to put the ball down in the corner because they need to win. We must have done something right today.

"This is a fantastic group to work with and we need to keep doing this."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Manchester City’s performance, external

What did you make of Brentford’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week four, he takes on Femi Koleoso and Ife Ogunjobi from jazz band Ezra Collective, the 2023 Mercury Music Prize winners.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Brentford have been a bogey team for Manchester City in the past and Bees boss Thomas Frank knows how to beat them, that's for sure - he did the double over them in 2022-23.

That is not going to happen this time, though. I refuse to put Erling Haaland in my fantasy team on principle, because the whole nation has picked him, but he is just unstoppable at the moment and City should win this one comfortably.

City don't usually hit their stride so early in a season. If this is them just warming up, then god help the rest of the Premier League.

Koleoso's prediction: 3-1

I know Brentford won here a couple of years ago but that was when they had Ivan Toney up front. I really hope I am wrong, obviously, but City will win.

Ogunjobi prediction: 3-0

No Toney, and Haaland is an absolute monster for City.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

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Last week, we asked you what subjects are not being talked about more widely when it comes to Brentford. A number of you suggested the importance of Bryan Mbeumo was going under the radar so we asked our fan writer Ian Westbrook for his thoughts on the Cameroon forward.

Brentford’s rapid recent progress has been based around our player recruitment policy.

The "buy-cheap, sell-high" strategy has worked a treat, with players like Ollie Watkins, Said Benrahma, Ivan Toney and David Raya among those whose sales made us huge profits.

This has allowed better and pricier players to arrive, and continue the cycle.

Selling one key player seems inevitable every summer, and while we understand the policy, we also hate seeing talent leave. However, we are already preparing ourselves for Mbeumo’s possible departure next year.

The striker has already played more than 200 games for us since arriving in 2019, immediately becoming part of our "BMW" front three, alongside Watkins and Benrahma. After they left, he partnered Ivan Toney up front.

During Toney’s ban last season, Mbeumo stepped up as the main man and his importance was emphasised when we lost 10 out of 13 games while he was out injured, but only three of 10 once he returned.

Mbeumo’s game has developed since joining Brentford and there is still more to come.

Since the 2021-22 Premier League season, only Kevin de Bruyne and James Maddison each have more combined goals and assists than him in fewer games.

In 2021-22, Mbeumo hit the woodwork seven times, but he has worked on his finishing and become more clinical.

He is lethal when cutting on to his left foot and shooting. He has flair, pace and an almost telepathic relationship with Yoane Wissa, who is also a close friend off the pitch.

I would love Mbeumo to stay with the Bees for years – and maybe he will. However, the big clubs are sure to be interested in him and there are already rumours he could move to Liverpool to replace Mohamed Salah if he leaves.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport Journalist

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester City (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news, after the international break, Frank said Mathias Jensen has a calf complaint and will miss a couple of weeks. Gustavo Nunes is also overcoming a minor issue, while Rico Henry remains on track with his comeback but is not yet ready.

• On Ivan Toney who left to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli: "Ivan has been fantastic for us over the last four seasons. One of the most important players and his character off the pitch, in terms of driving the team and bringing good energy everyday. He will be missed, no doubt about that, as a player and a person. I will definitely miss him and we wish him all the best for the future."

• On his squad without Toney, Frank added: "We got good practice last year. We had, six-seven months, two thirds of the season without him. We also started this season without him. The players have already stepped up and they're growing, like trees. In the dressing room, the players need to take responsibility and be leaders. Ivan was a fantastic player on and off the pitch. In general I'm not worried, we have fantastic players, others will step up."

• On new signing Gustavo Nunes: "[Igor] Thiago is, in many ways, fantastic. He is like a big brother [to Gustavo Nunes]. He’s taken him under his wing and teaching him to be a pro. He's still young, Gustavo is 18-years-old, hopefully he will learn a lot over the years. Gustavo is a player I believe can help us soon, if he's ready but he has had a minor injury, not a big issue but he won't be on the pitch for the next week. Nothing concerning at all."

• On Erling Haaland: "Close to impossible [on getting close to Haaland]. A lot of teams have tried to neutralise him. I think he is a great player. I think his movements in the box is probably some of the best we have ever seen. The way he anticipates the situation, times his movements. Constantly on the move and focused and aware of where to position himself. That’s top level. He is so focused to make sure he times it in the right moment. He is a decent player."

• On Manchester City: "It's the best team in the world. It is a top team but we know if we hit a good level we can make it difficult for them. We will do what we can, to play a good game but I believe we can do something."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Phil Parry
BBC Radio London reporter

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Now that Ivan Toney has finally left Brentford after an at times tortuous transfer tale, which appeared to last for 18 months, the debate has started on his legacy.

There is plenty of evidence of a high status: a promotion season of setting goalscoring records, a huge impact in the top flight and achieving England recognition.

But as anyone at the club will tell you, one person does not make a team and there are many whose influence and impact are also hugely important. Bryan Mbeumo is a prime example of someone who has continued to flourish since joining the club.

Last season proved how important he is. Thirty one of the 39 points accrued were when he was available and the real drop off in results occurred not during Toney’s absences for suspension or late-season injury, but following Mbeumo’s injury in the pre-Christmas trip to Brighton.

From Wednesday, 6 December, when he limped off after 40 minutes at Amex Stadium, to his return in mid-March, the Bees picked up just eight points from 14 games. And that period had also included the much-vaunted, some may say over-hyped, return of their absent striker.

Mbeumo finished with nine goals and six assists last season, an impressive return. Indeed, his contribution to the Bees has been consistent over six-and-a-bit years. When the side finished ninth two seasons ago, much focus was attached to Toney’s 20 goals, but Mbeumo chipped in with nine himself plus eight assists. He is, in NFL terminology, a dual threat as a scorer and a creator.

With three goals already this team, he looks as threatening as ever.

What is more, the 25-year-old embodies the hungry yet humble ethos that his head coach values so highly. He is obviously respected and liked by teammates, while on the terraces and concourses he is beloved by the fans.

You can clearly see why.

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Brentford remain the last team to win at Manchester City in any competition, beating Pep Guardiola's side 2-1 in November 2022.

The Citizens have since gone unbeaten for 45 games at Etihad Stadium (W38 D7).

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

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With the transfer window shut, Brentford’s next job is to secure several key players’ futures.

Captain Christian Norgaard is into the final year of his contract, with an option for an extra year, while another eight have deals running out in the summer of 2026, most of them with the same possibility of an extra year possibility.

This is unusual as the Bees rarely let key players’ contracts enter their final year, or allow so many crucial deals to expire simultaneously.

A lot of the players involved have been a big part of the journey from the Championship and remain first-team regulars.

Norgaard is a prime example. Captain, and with more than 150 Bees games behind him, he is first choice whenever fit and keenly missed when out injured.

Not only is he a tenacious tackler in front of the defence, he also has an eye for a great pass and makes vital contributions at attacking set pieces.

It is hard to understand why he would not have been offered a new deal already, unless the fact he is one of three outfield players of 30 or over is counting against him, or maybe he wants to move on next summer.

Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Rico Henry, Mathias Jensen and youngster Ryan Trevitt all have contracts ending in the summer of 2026 with that option for another year, while Vitaly Janelt, Mads Roerslev and Aaron Hickey’s deals also run out then, but with no current extension in place.

With the summer signings future-proofing the team, the number of new contracts offered will show whether the club think the new boys, rather than the established players, are our medium to long-term future.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Brentford are set to complete a move for Millwall defender Joshua Stephenson this week.

The 18-year-old centre-back will sign a five-year deal and complete a medical as he makes the switch across London.

Stephenson is highly regarded within the London youth football system having had an excellent season at the Den last year, captaining Millwall to the FA Youth Cup semi-final.

The Premier League's summer transfer window saw clubs spend almost £2bn in all.

Data from Footballtransfers.com, external shows the biggest net spend by a club - that’s all the money spent minus all that came in from sales - was Brighton.

The Seagulls had a net spend of £153.5m.

On the flip side, the club who generated the biggest net summer profit on transfers was Manchester City, who made £115.8m, thanks in large part to the sale of Julian Alvarez.

Brentford had a net spend of £21.7m.

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We asked you to tell us one thing - good or bad - related to Brentford that nobody else is talking about.

Here are some of your replies:

Julian: No-one is talking about extending Christian Norgaard's contract, which is up at the end of the season. He is integral to the Bees' success. He does the dirty work and does it very well. When he doesn't play, more often that not we do not pick up points.

Brian: We need to get some new coaches in with fresh ideas. How we currently play hasn't changed in years - we just sit back and then break, while only having 35-45% of the possession. We get away with it against the poor teams, but the others don't even send anyone to watch us as they know exactly what we're going to do. We need new ideas and fast!

Chris: Why do so few of the B team make it to the first team? We sign these 'amazing talents' from various sources, yet hardly any of them get to play a first-team match. Does Thomas Frank not trust them enough or is it just that they really aren't as talented as was first thought? It is puzzling!

Will: Mark Flekken has proven himself. There were a lot of doubters last season. He looks much more confident and his solid play will hopefully help keep us from losing as many points from winning positions as we did last season. If we can just halve that, we will be in good shape.

Wolfgang: It has always been about Bryan Mbeumo not Ivan Toney. Toney was a decoy so that bigger clubs left our Bryan alone.

There's always so much noise at the start of the season and 2024-25 has been no different.

We've even asked you this week where you think Brentford will finish, based on the start to the season and how the transfer window unfolded.

But now we want a little more detail. When it comes to the Bees, what is the one thing nobody is talking about - good or bad?

Tell us over here, external

The joy and despair of football.

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Just the despair.

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Some things you wait for.

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And others never take long to arrive.

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There are awkward moments.

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There are planned moments.

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Chaotic moments.

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Sometimes there are moments of genius.

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And, occasionally, the moment just calls for romance.

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We asked you for your views on how Brentford have started the season - and where you thought they might finish.

Some 56% of people predict the Bees to end up between 11th and 17th.

Here are some comments about this season:

Ian: A nice little squad is being developed by Thomas Frank. Shrewd signings in the last two windows has added the layers requested by the manager. There's cover across the squad to hopefully eliminate the problem caused by the injuries last season.

Andy: I think this season will see us bounce back a bit and be reasonably comfortable mid-table but not pushing into the top 10 (I hope to be proved wrong). It will take the new signings a while to bed in and the same with some players coming back from injury but I think we'll be stronger than last year when that happens and push on again next season.

John: The young signings of two years ago are starting to come good. Schade, Daamsgard and Lewis Potter are all poised to become regulars in the starting 11, more examples of the amazing recruitment policies we have.

Chris: So far Damsgaard has been a revelation. Finally we're seeing him deliver on the promise we always knew he had. Glad the Ivan Toney saga is over but sorry so see him waste his talent in the desert. New signings look great; can't wait for Rico to be fit and for Thiago to play his first game for us. He will definitely scare some opponents!

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Bees forward Bryan Mbeumo has been nominated for the Premier League player of the month award for September.

Mbeumo has started the season in fine form, scoring three goals in his first three games and easing any fears Thomas Frank's side might struggle for goals after the departure of Ivan Toney.

The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.

So we want you to predict where Brentford will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about the start to the campaign and summer transfer business.

Submit your prediction here

And also, please tell us what is the one thing - good or bad - you have learned about the Bees so far in the campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

In the end, it was a good transfer window for Brentford.

We signed five players - including finally a left-back – and got a fee for Ivan Toney.

The new arrivals seem to be future-proofing the team – all are under 24 with two of them younger than 20 and each has been put on a long contract of at least four years, and mostly more.

This is important for many reasons – one of which is that, with the exceptions of Ben Mee and Yoane Wissa, almost all of our previous Premier League signings have taken time to bed in.

The likes of Mikkel Damsgaard, Keane Lewis-Potter and Kevin Schade, for example, are now in their third season with the club, and none has yet established a regular place in the starting XI.

So with the heart of the team still made up of players who starred for us in the Championship, it is important for the club to think of long-term succession planning.

It has been brilliant to watch those who got us promoted grow with Brentford to establish us as a Premier League club, and I hope they are with us for years to come.

But, as happens in football, they will slowly move on and it is good that the club is, as usual, already ahead of the game.

As I said the other week, we are grateful for all that Toney did for the Bees, but the saga over his move needed to end, and it is good that it did with some money in the bank for us.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

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We asked for your views on Ivan Toney's move and for the England striker's legacy at the club:

Here are some of your comments:

Mel: I can't believe he has left European football. We'll miss this incredible but as yet unfulfilled talent, and to lose him to the Middle East game is frankly astonishing. Toney could have become the most versatile number nine England has ever had and playing there will jeopardise his chances of squad selection.

Nick: I think Ivan is generally quite misunderstood. He had made some throwaway comments that he probably regrets, but I do think he appreciates what Brentford have done for his career. Going to Saudi Arabia, it may turn out that the best days of his career where in red and white. I will miss him on a matchday, especially when we are next given a penalty.

Tim: He'd become a bit of a distraction and propped up the myth of a team based around him, which is a shame. He was a major driver in the resurgence of the Bees, but it was Thomas Frank who should be credited with bringing his strengths to the fore. We'll miss him - hope he enjoys the money.

Bertie: Great player who will be remembered as a legend by Brentford fans. Just a shame he went to Saudi during his prime. Choose football, not money.

Adam: For me he has been Brentford’s greatest ever player and we have a lot to thank him for in the past four years. Such a shame to see him leave the Premier League! I think he will be back.

Mike: Delighted with the Toney money. Whether he's risking his international career, or if he's just gone there for the money - that's up to him. He fired us to the Premier League and then helped us stay there. He's got a spot in our modern folklore and I doubt any Bees fans will begrudge him a move.

Jim: He didn’t seem part of the team anymore, so the best outcome was for him to move on. Surprised more clubs didn’t try to sign him.

Will: I am happy for us, but wish Toney was transferring to a relevant side. Feel like he’s riding into the harsh, desert sunset too soon. The first Bee to play for England, wjpmade an indelible contribution to get us to the Prem and stay up that first season. He is a real talent and yet… Brentford legend? Thanks and good luck in Saudi.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Graham: Brentford pressed very well, putting pressure on a poor Southampton defence. Mikkel Damsgaard was quality throughout the game and showed so many quality touches and passes. Good result but in perspective, Southampton were very poor and look like they will go straight back to the Championship.

Dylan: Brilliant performance today from the Bees. We managed to capitalise on certain mistakes from them. Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa looked very solid. On to the next!

Will: Job done. At times we looked sharp. We had many half chances we created that we could have done better with, but we were clinical when they made errors and did score from a corner. Those things are positive. Happy to have six points now with a tough run coming up! Come on you Bees!

Erik: Great for Brentford that other guys can grow and show what they are made of. I will not miss Ivan Toney - he is/was overrated.

Southampton fans

Steve: Yet again we give away goals. We are NOT Manchester City. We cannot continue to try and play every ball out from the back. We are not good enough. We have to clear it sometimes and go long. Continue like this and we will lose every game. Change the system and get rid of the weak links.

Andrew: Once again the Saints dominate possession but make mistakes at the back and don’t take their chances up front. The manager needs to realise soon that the tactics need to be adapted to suit the Premier League. Mistakes will be punished and this adversely affects the confidence of the team.

Oliver: This result has been a long time coming. We’ve lost three times in largely similar games with unforced errors being the decider. We only made one change (Aaron Ramsdale obviously). The manner of this defeat is a positive in that it gives Russell an early explicit warning to adapt his tactics and line-up over the international break.

John: It would help if the manager would pick his in-form and best players. If he continues to pick players that clearly struggle at this level, then we will continue to collect nil points. A change in approach is required or the points gap will become a chasm.

Watch all the highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures with Gary and the team.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

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