Brentford boss Thomas Frank has sympathy with the challenges Nottingham Forest counterpart Steve Cooper has faced following a busy summer.
The Reds brought in 22 players during the transfer window as they prepared for life in the Premier League. And Cooper has been candid in admitting getting the group to gel has not been easy.
Prior to last weekend’s 5-0 thumping at Arsenal, however, Forest had shown signs they were making progress. Victory over Liverpool saw them keep a second clean-sheet in a row, and they had conceded two goals in four games after previously shipping 18 in five.
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The aim will be to get back to being hard to beat when the Bees come to the City Ground on Saturday. Frank is expecting a tough challenge from a side he feels “have found their feet” and which will be buoyed by an electric atmosphere.
“We all know the best teams are built over time with consistency,” said Frank. “They have brought quite a few players in, so to gel and to find the right relationships takes time no matter who you are.
“They have found their feet and I think they are competing well. They have made it very difficult for teams at home. The City Ground is a top place to go, with some very good fans.
“We know it is going to be difficult. But I am convinced that we will learn from our recent experiences (in away games against Newcastle United and Aston Villa) and we will put a good performance in.”
Forest go into the game sitting bottom of the table with nine points from 13 matches. Brentford are six points ahead of them, in 11th spot.
The visitors will be without key man Ivan Toney. The striker is suspended for the Trentside clash after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
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