'To go as far as possible and in best case win it' - Frankpublished at 08:23 18 September
08:23 18 September
Image source, PA Media
Brentford boss Thomas Frank after watching his side beat Leyton Orient in the Carabao Cup:
"It depends on the strength of other clubs. It's been 11 years in a row of one of the top six winning it, so it's difficult. But I think we've got enough depth in the squad.
"We just need to be less unlucky with injuries. Right now we have eight of our first-team players [out] - normally you'd have two, three or maybe four.
"If it was only four, then no problem. If we have them available, I think we have a strong squad.
"The aim is to go as far as possible and, in the best case, to win it."
On summer signing Fabio Carvalho, who played a key role in the victory: "He's taking steps in the right direction in the past five or six weeks.
"I was very pleased with what I saw from him; a great goal, a great assist. He's growing into what I thought he would bring to us."
Brentford 3-1 Leyton Orient: Carvalho stars in Bees victorypublished at 23:44 17 September
23:44 17 September
Marissa Thomas BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Thomas Frank made eight changes to the side who lost 2-1 against Manchester City at the weekend.
It was Fabio Carvalho who made the most impact as the Bees came from behind to beat Leyton Orient in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The 21-year-old winger joined from Liverpool last month in a deal worth £27.5m including add-ons.
His first Brentford goal came via a superb overhead kick from close range after Kevin Schade's effort had bounced up in the box.
Carvalho then provided a brilliant assist with a lofted ball into the box which Mikel Damsgaard converted for his first Brentford goal.
With Yoane Wissa out for a few months due to an ankle injury sustained against Man City, it could be a chance for Carvalho to force his way into Frank's thinking.
His brilliant performance against Leyton Orient will have certainly helped his case for more minutes in the Premier League.
Brentford 3-1 Leyton Orient- send us your thoughtspublished at 21:46 17 September
I actually left the Etihad feeling more disappointed than I expected on Saturday.
Games such as Manchester City away for Brentford are often described as a "free hit", with any points picked up seen as a bonus for the season.
As usual, I went to the game expecting to lose but definitely not to get stuffed as some teams are there.
The sensational start surprised all of us and was brilliant to see – as were all the first 25 minutes when we totally dominated.
In the end, Erling Haaland was the difference between the sides, but the fact we were always in the game at 2-1 and had two late chances to equalise was what made me feel that we could so easily have grabbed a point.
While the long-term impact of the defeat is negligible, one incident which will have a more far-reaching effect on our season is the injury to Yoane Wissa.
The in-form striker was the victim of a cruel challenge by Mateo Kovacic, for which the City player was rightly booked, and then subbed at half-time and replaced by Rodri - not much of a punishment!
Thomas Frank says Wissa will be out for "a couple of months", which is a massive blow to us, especially given that he has scored three of our six Premier League goals so far this season and that his partnership with Bryan Mbeumo is getting stronger by the game.
With Igor Thiago still sidelined, Kevin Schade or maybe Fabio Carvalho will be the men charged with the responsibility of filling the gap.
Frank on Wissa injury, a fairytale and Pep's commentspublished at 16:11 16 September
16:11 16 September
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup game against Leyton Orient (kick-off 19:45 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Yoane Wissa: "It's not good news, it looks like an injury that will be a couple of months. It's very frustrating. It will leave a hole but I will find a solution and other players will step up."
Frank said the League Cup "is a competition we take very seriously". He added: "The last four seasons we lost to Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham". We want to go on a cup run and do our best to see how far we go - that is the same tomorrow."
On Pep Guardiola's comments that it is a "question of time" before the Brentford boss manages a perceived bigger club, Frank said: "He's a very clever man. He is probably the best manager in the world now, and maybe ever. He's very good at showing his class no matter what."
Captain Christian Norgaard will start for the Bees tomorrow, highlighting "how strong" his side will be.
He would like to be someone "responsible for the tournament" and is "happy to facilitate a meeting" on the future of it. He thinks everyone would benefit from the semi-final being only being one-leg.
He thinks this would benefit lesser sides and hopes Brentford could be "that smaller club to go on a fairytale run".
On closing in on his sixth year at Brentford, he joked it is down to "a lot of luck," before saying he's had "fantastic backing" from the owner, the sport's director, CEO and technical director. He added: "The alignment between the five of us is key in many aspects."
He was quick to praise everyone else, saying "it's always tricky" to give yourself the credit. "I have got good players and staff - hopefully I contribute a bit as well," Frank added.
Man City 2-1 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:32 16 September
08:32 16 September
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Brentford.
Here are some of your comments:
Man City fans
Mark: City looked half asleep in the first half. Subs at half-time - and no doubt a strong talking to by Pep - made an enormous difference and City were on top then. Haaland is a phenomenon.
Neil: Fair play to Brentford - got tactics spot on and could have been 4-0 up before we scored! They had us on the back foot, found MASSIVE gaps in our midfield and played through us very well. City just weren't at the races. Lucky to get two goals from Haaland and the game completely changed when Rodri came on second half. Business as usual - but lucky.
Mike: Brentford were terrific first half and caught us cold at the start. I felt Walker gave their winger too much space to attack the ball for the cross. They then had another couple of great chances which were missed. Once City started to control the ball, we became dominant - although I was still fearful they would catch us on the break.
Brentford fans
Danny: Great first half, sat a bit to deep in the second half.
Derek: Great team with a great manager. Always a handful in the Premier League. Not got the resources of other clubs - a great compliment to the management team.
Russell: Well done to all the players for keeping score as low as they did!
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 13:54 15 September
13:54 15 September
Gary Linker brings you highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.
So near, yet so far to another win at Man Citypublished at 18:53 14 September
18:53 14 September
Simon Stone at the Etihad Stadium Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Bees boss Thomas Frank summed it up perfectly. Frustration at the outcome, pride at the performance.
For 25 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, Brentford had Manchester City on the ropes.
It was the kind of experience City tend to inflict on their opponents, not the other way round. If you come out of it just a goal down, you think yourself lucky.
City were lucky not to be further behind during that one-sided onslaught.
Brentford created chance after chance. None of them went in.
And at the very highest level, that is the difference.
In the aftermath, it is a day to draw plenty of positives, but in three months time, the scoreline just shows no points won. You get nothing for playing well.
It does show Brentford are on the right path. But they need to follow it up in three London derbies, against Leyton Orient in the EFL Cup on Tuesday and at Tottenham and against West Ham in the Premier League games that follow.
Frustration is not an experience Frank and his team want to deal with too often.
Yoane Wissa’s opener after 22 seconds was the fastest ever goal that Brentford have scored in the Premier League, while Wissa has now been directly involved in 10 goals across his last nine appearances in the top-flight (seven goals, three assists).
'The first 25 minutes was world class'published at 17:42 14 September
17:42 14 September
Image source, Getty Images
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."
Man City 2-1 Brentford - send us your thoughtspublished at 16:58 14 September
Sutton's predictions: Man City v Brentfordpublished at 11:16 14 September
11:16 14 September
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.
'We are already preparing ourselves for Mbeumo’s possible departure'published at 17:22 12 September
17:22 12 September
Ian Westbrook Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
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.
Frank on Toney, Nunes and Haalandpublished at 15:25 12 September
15:25 12 September
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."
No Toney? No problempublished at 11:45 12 September
11:45 12 September
Phil Parry BBC Radio London reporter
Image source, Getty Images
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.
Image source, PA Media
