“It shouldn’t be possible”: Thomas Frank on how Brentford continue to compete with the Premier League’s best

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has suggested his side are defying the odds in competing for European football this season.

Ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Newcastle United at the Gtech Community Stadium, the Bees sit ninth in the Premier League table. They are currently level on points with Liverpool and within touching distance of a Europa Conference League qualification place.

A 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Wednesday brought an end a run of three games without a defeat, but once again showed that Brentford can challenge the best that the topflight has to offer.

They have taken points from Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham already this season, and Frank believes his team have no right to be doing so.

“It shouldn’t be possible,” he said. “But on the other hand, it is possible because this is football and that’s the beauty of it. No matter how big of a difference there is in terms of the financial situation, there is always a chance when you go into a game.

“I think we have found a way to compete in the Premier League but also a way to compete against the ‘Top Six’ where we tweak it slightly compared to some of the other games. Maybe that is the key.

“I love my team. I think their application, determination and work rate is an example to follow for a lot of clubs.”

One of the few low points of Brentford’s campaign came in a comprehensive 5-1 defeat at St. James Park against Newcastle back in October, however Frank is confident of a different outcome in west London on Saturday.

“I actually think we did quite well in the first 30 minutes of that game after looking back,” he said. “Then I learned that if we want to win tomorrow we can’t make three big mistakes around our own goal. If we can do that then I think we have a good chance.”

Newcastle make the journey south looking for a fifth consecutive league win to strengthen their own European ambitions. Eddie Howe’s men currently sit third in the Premier League table despite winning just one league game in the opening two months of 2023.

“I know people have been talking about that but they have lost just three league games all season,” said Frank when asked how his opposite number has managed to turn things around in recent weeks. “Maybe they didn’t turn some of their draws into wins but they have been unbelievably consistent.

“I agree that they have found a higher level again [recently] but in general they have been very consistent. They have a fantastic squad, and they have very good players. They definitely have something to shoot with from the bench no matter who is picked.

“Credit to Eddie and his staff. They have created a squad that is very dynamic, extremely physical and powerful, energetic. They are very good at set-pieces. They are very difficult to beat.”

Frank will be hoping that Brentford’s formidable home form can make the difference against Newcastle. Their performances at the Gtech have been the bedrock of their successful campaign, with the Bees suffering just one defeat on home turf this term.

“There’s no doubt that the Gtech has turned out to be a fortress,” he said. “That is something that every club in the world wants. You want to be strong and compete and win games [at home].

“The fans have been really good. They need to have one of their best games and we need to do the same against Newcastle.”