Brentford manager, Thomas Frank is disappointed with how his team suffered a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.
Frank’s Bees entered this game knowing that a win would move them four points behind Utd in the top-four race, but Marcus Rashford’s 27th minute winner meant that the Red Devils were able to move 10 points clear of the West-London club.
“I think it’s big praise to the players and the team that we feel disappointed after losing 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford,” commented Frank on how his players reacted to the defeat underlining “how the players really believed we could get something out of this game, coming here.”
On where Brentford exactly lost the game, Frank praised Utd for their high-quality performance as he continued: “Unfortunately, we didn’t hit the highest level first half, especially on the ball – I know we can do more, I’m in no doubt about that.
“United came with everything we expected and I think we controlled that quite well, without them having massive chances.
“We had to defend well and I think, from the last game [against Brighton], we really upped it, in terms of defending.
“Of course we are disappointed that we conceded from a set-piece that we normally are so good at. But that’s football, that can happen.”
Frank though praised his team for their second-half response as “much more the team we know,” in becoming “even more aggressive, even more front-footed.”
Brentford now has a tricky home game against Newcastle at 3pm BST on Saturday 8 April and Frank has urged his players “to bounce back” if they’re to stand any chance of a top-four finish, otherwise they face Europa League qualification at best.
On what Brentford need to do to beat Eddie Howe’s Magpies who hammered West Ham 5-1 last night (5 April), the 49 year-old manager iterated that it is a case of trying to “take the positives,” and build upon how they “really upped the defensive side of the game.”
Frank concluded by insisting that his players’ task now is on “recreating the energy and being ready to come flying out against Newcastle.”