Frank pleased with Bees showing despite Forest defeat.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank was pleased with his side’s performance despite going down 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest.
Goals from Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga ended the Bees’ unbeaten home league record this term, but Frank was determined not to be too downcast about defeat.
There was little to choose between the sides for most of the contest, and Frank was keen to take the positives from the match.
“I actually think it’s a good performance,” he said. “Not a through the roof performance.
“We played a game where, in big spells, we dominated and were on top. We lacked the last cutting edge to create chance, after chance, after chance – but I thought it was enough to score at least one goal. Then things can happen, maybe more.
“Nottingham Forest defended well in big spells of the game – they also played 5-4-1, which is the first time they’ve done that this season, even after going to Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal, where they played a four[-man defence]. That’s a big credit to what we’ve done.
“Of course we need to learn from that and work out how to solve that better in the future. I still think we did enough to, on another day, play the same game again, it could have been a different outcome.”
The Bees went into the break behind when Aina fired home from inside the box, after Brentford had seen chances for Mikkel Damsgaard and Yoane Wissa go begging.
Swedish winger Elanga doubled the lead for Forest six minutes after half time after pouncing on loose control by Keane Lewis-Potter but Frank was pleased with his side’s defensive showing.
“I think the first one there is always something we can do better and the second one is just a mistake, that happens,” he added. “No blame, it is what it is.
“It maybe sounds a bit crazy but performance-wise, that is one of our best, if not the best, defensive game in terms of what we gave away.
“Of course you can always do better and they [Forest] deserve praise, they defended well, but it is football, it happens.
“It is the most competitive league in the world and if we don’t have the exact cutting edge with us, then you can lose a game.”
The Bees’ backline had a makeshift feel about it due to a number of injuries in the week, meaning Ben Mee stepped into the heart of defence and Kristoffer Ajer played a right back following injuries to Ethan Pinnock, Sepp van den Berg and Mads Roerslev.
And Mee was delighted to be back in action after seeing his minutes limited so far this term.
“It’s been a bit frustrating for me so far this season, but I’ve been biding my time and I now want to get a run in the side and improve the team a bit,” he said.
“A couple of games in a few days has been a bit of a surprise to the body, but it’s been enjoyable to be back out there, [it’s] the first time I’ve started a Premier League game in 10 months.
“I was quite pleased in the way I handled things today the way I went about. I finished the game quite strongly, so hopefully I can get my sharpness up and be involved in the next few games.”
