Brentford v Wolves: Belief remains high during tough period
It’s a familiar story for Thomas Frank and the Bees. The performances are there but the results aren’t going their way.
“We performed to get better results than we have had. And that’s the big positive and that’s also what I reinforce in the players
“It’s about belief in the work we do. Belief in the way we do things. Belief in the players.”
"We need the fans with us, under the floodlights.
In a spell where things are not dropping for us every single time, then we need even more backing."
Thomas Frank ahead of tomorrow's @EmiratesFACup tie ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FUv9PMxB9x
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 4, 2024
In general, the mood has remained fairly positive in the locker room. No doubt that comes down to Frank’s man-management skills and his ability to walk the line between critical analysis and emphasizing the positives.
In fact, his coaching staff compared stats from this year to those from last season’s midpoint and found that their attacking statistics are all superior this year, barring the most important thing. Goals scored.
The team is creating more chances, taking more shots, putting more crosses into the box, yet they continue to struggle finding the end product.
Moreover, they’re conceding more goals than last season, including seven in their last two league games. Maintaining a better defensive structure is key to turning this trend around. As Frank is well aware, no team has dropped more points from winning positions this season. He admitted, “defensive urgency in the big moments needs to be better.”
Despite last week’s scoreline, tactical approach to remain similar
Brentford faces Wolves for the second time in a little over a week, after a 4-1 home defeat in the league on December 27th. Frank and his team are hoping tonight’s FA Cup third round match-up yields a much different result.
The first of four goals conceded against Wolves on Dec 27
He plans on sticking with similar tactics to their last game against Wolves, with only minimal changes. Despite the final scoreline, the game felt quite even. Frank stressed that playing out of the back is not the problem and they will continue to play this way.
Expect a strong team tonight. And Frank expects the the high-flying Wolves to do the same. “We will put a strong team out and we’ll do everything we can to win. The only thing we don’t want is a draw.”
Transfer plans
Ivan Toney’s future at the club remains the popular topic in transfer news. The Bees boss was emphatic that Toney will remain a Brentford player past the February 1st deadline. Although he did concede that, ultimately, it is not his decision.
Another positive note for Bees fans after a season plagued by injuries – and now international players off to AFCON and the Asian Cup – Frank is “convinced we will be active in the market.” Signing a left-back remains Brentford’s most pressing need.
Brentford welcome Wolves back to the Gtech this evening at 7:15 PM for the third round of the FA Cup. Tonight’s game is also their last without Ivan Toney, as he can rejoin the team when they play Nottingham Forest next on January 20th.
